"Our Beautiful Tracy" - She won her Battle

[Ant11]

It has taken us some time to post about "our beautiful Tracy". As many of you already know from Tracy's story and the support line video, she was diagnosed on 20th November 2013 with stage 4 PC with liver mets. Having spoken to the support nurses we will complete her story as soon as we can. In short Tracy endured nearly 60 sessions of chemotherapy without a break, a liver ablation and of late was on an immunotherapy trial.

Sadly this vile disease progressed at an alarming rate over the last couple of months and although she never gave up her fight she passed away peacefully with her husband Chris and children Oliver and Georgia beside her at home on Saturday 19th March 2016 at 11.30pm.

It all feels so surreal, but we must remember Tracy won her battle having survived for 2 years and 4 months, way exceeding her original prognosis.

Tracy never posted on the site but often read the stories of others. We had so much help and support from Jeni and Di, who Tracy named her "Purple Ladies" From others who are still on the journey of PC and many who have lost their loved ones already.

Tracy was absolutely beautiful, loved life and was definitely not ready to leave her husband Chris, children Oliver and Georgia.

Thank you so much for your kindness, support and all the information available on the forum. It really is such a help being able to share your experiences. We certainly would not have got this far without the support of everyone. We have made new friends during this period and we cannot thank them enough for their kindness shown at this sad and difficult time.

We will miss Tracy so much but will always remember we were lucky to have her in our lives.

Annette xx

Edited August 17, 2016 by Ant11

[Guest]

Hi Annette,

I wasn't coming on here anymore but I keep coming back to read this, and it just can't be ignored.

I am so very very sorry to read of Tracy's passing. She was such an inspiration and she really did fight so very hard. Sadly I know how quickly it can progress, and mostly without warning.

I think your post is beautiful and I love that tou have put 'she won her battle'. I think that is a lovely thing to say. And I think that is right for so many as well. When someone is given a horrible diagnosis and beats it, they have won. They won the cancer to get more time.

Thoughts are with you and your family at this such sad time, and the weeks ahead.

Rest in peace Tracy.

Leila xx

[jay]

I am so so sorry Annette,

Love Jayne

xxx

[sandraW]

Hi Annette,

I was so shocked to read your post, I opened it expecting to hear some more good news on how well Tracy was doing.

This disease is truly horrendous, things seem to be ticking along as with Trevor, then bam! it all happens so quickly.

Tracy was amazing, and she certainly did win her battle, I send love and strength to her husband Chris, her children Oliver and Georgia who will always know how much she loved them, as she fought so hard to stay with them, to you and the rest of her family and friends. Thank you for all your supportive posts to me and the others here on the forum. She will live in your hearts forever and will not be forgotten here on the forum either, nearly 60 Folfirinox what a lady!! love sandrax xx

[boa]

I am sorry to read this. To have so much chemotherapy and to remain so cheerful is wonderful. She is an inspiration for those with this awful disease which as you say can progress so quickly at times. My warmest thoughts to all her family and friends.

[Ruthus]

I am very sorry to hear this. It has deeply upset me after reading Tracy's story and her unbelievable battle. When I was diagnosed in December 2015, I was full of fear after reading the statistics. When I found the forum and read the real life stories for the first time I had some hope. The particular stories wich gave me that hope were Tracy's and Steve Lewis. Thank you to both for sharing their stories and giving that hope that people can live beyond the prognosis.

I send sincerest thoughts to Tracy's family and friends. I have been meaning to sponsor Tracy's son as noticed he posted that he was running this year's London marathon for pancreatic cancer UK. I will find this link and sponsor now. I have run 5 London marathons in the past and it is an amazing experience. I am sure your beautiful mum will be in your thoughts every single step of the way.

Ruth xx

[Ant11]

Thank you so much for the lovely comments on this post. Tracy was so inspiring and selfless, always wanting the best for everyone. It is comforting for the family to read these.

Thank you so much Ruth for sponsoring Oliver, such a kind gesture.

Love to all

Annette xx

[Sueoliver]

Hi Annette I am so sorry to read of Tracy's passing. She was inspirational and fought so hard! 60 sessions of chemo wow! I am thinking of you all at this very sad time. Sending lots of love.

Sue xxx

[Paige]

Hi Annette,

I am very sorry to hear of Tracy's passing, she sounds to have been so inspirational. I know it is incredibly hard but I hope you can take some comfort in knowing that her passing was peaceful. It is so sad how suddenly things can progress so quickly, the same happened with my Dad. As you have said she well exceeded expectations, she truly sounded inspirational.

All my best wishes to you and all of her family at this incredibly difficult time,

Paige

[nikkis]

Hi Annette,

I come here only occasionally now, and prefer not to post, but I just wanted to let you know how sad I am to hear of Tracey's death. As you may remember, my husband Paul lived for 2 years after diagnosis, and although they were incredibly hard times, I am so grateful we had them. He probably didn't feel he won his battle, but I certainly did, as every extra day was a battle won, so I know exactly where you are coming from. Knowing we had that time has helped me over the last year, and I am sure it will bring you all comfort in the coming days, weeks and months.

You are without doubt an inspirational family, life is so very cruel in taking someone who was so loved, so early.

Thinking of you all,

Nikki

[Ant11]

Hi Nikki,Paige and Sue Thanks for your lovely comments, It is so kind of people to show their kindness. Nikki, Paul's was a story we followed and you know exactly how Chris, Oliver and Georgia are feeling.

Tomorrow 5th April is the day we celebrate the life of Tracy and to show how much we appreciated her. Coming days, weeks and months will be hard but we will always remember just how hard Tracy battled to stay with us for so long. It is some comfort that she never gave up, even through the tough times. We all know that she will be with Oliver when he runs the London Marathon. To say it will be an emotional day is an understatement. Tracy was adamant she would be there. Keep fighting and raising awareness, this vile disease has to be stopped. Love to all Annette xxxxx

[Proud Wife]

Hello Annette

I too am so very sorry to hear the news of Tracy's passing. Far, far too young.

I hope however, you managed to have a great day today celebrating her life.

Can you please post a link to Oliver's page, I too would like to sponsor him but have no idea how Ruth managed to do so!

My sincerest condolences to Tracy's family xxx

[Ant11]

Hi Proud Wife

Yes far too young, she was so very beautiful. I will pass on your message to the family and here is the link for Oliver's just giving page. Such a worthy cause. https://www.justgiving.com/Oliver-John love Annette xx

[Ant11]

Tracy's beautiful send off went off just perfect, like her. It's almost surreal when they have such an input into their own funeral, but it really was such a special day, I guess becasue they have been part of the planning. Albeit it Tracy some 6 months ago told Chris get a pen and take notes of her wishes and he only had about 5 minutes. Tracy chose, music, afternoon funeral, wicker coffin, lillies and family and friends could wear what they wanted. Chris, Oliver and Georgia just added some very nice and special touches. It was a church service, followed by a private family cremation, then onto a hotel that Tracy loved. A very touching moment was when people wrote messages onto white balloons and these were all released into the sky. Oliver filmed it and there was clearly a heart shape right at the end of filming.

Our next challenge is Oliver running the London Marathon, I'm sure Tracy will be helping him.

Thank you to everyone for all the help these past 28 months,and to those still fighting, never give up, Tracy did'nt. Love to you all. Annette xxxxx

[sandraW]

Annette,

Nice to hear that it was such a special day, its sounds lovely. How brave was Tracy organising what she wanted, makes it easier for the loved ones too, as they know they are doing the "right" thing.

Trevor could not accept that he was dying, so I only mentioned it very briefly, we just had to do what we thought he would like. Love the balloons, and that Tracy sent a sign to let you all know she was watching. Good luck to Oliver with the marathon, we will be thinking of him, and I hope he gets lots of sponsors, thank you to you too Annette, will you pop by and see us sometime, when you are ready of course. love to you all , sandrax xx

[Ant11]

Hi Sandra, thanks as always for your very kind words. I will still pop here and read the stories as it seems having been here for this period of time, I don't feel that I can let go. The people we met here are special, kind, supportive and understand exactly how you are feeling.

No doubt the next days, weeks and months will be tough but we will stick together.

Love to everyone Annette xxxx

[Didge]

Annette, I am so glad she had a lovely send off. My partner planned his funeral's every detail and it was a revelation watching it all come together. Tracy was such an inspiration and did so well with this terrible disease.

Love Didge x

[Proud Wife]

And we are here to support you Annette whenever you need. Unfortunately, we understand only too well.

Thank you for the link, I have sponsored Oliver. Please wish him the very best for a good run!

All the best

PW xx

[Ant11]

Thanks Didge and Proud Wife for the support and kind things you said about Tracy. This is certainly the place nobody wants to be but it draws you back. The reason for this is the lovely people who know exactly how you feel. Everyone is at different stages but still you all support and encourage. Thank you too for those that have supported Oliver for his London Marathon. So very kind and greatly appreciated by Chris, Oliver and Georgia. Love to all. Keep fighting, and never give up.Those still fighting and others who have lost loved ones need to be heard, it cannot be allowed to continue. Annette xxxxxxx

[Ruthus]

Good luck to Oliver running London Marathon for Pancreatic Cancer UK. This is the first year in many that I've not either run it or supported it. I ran 5 miles this morning whilst thinking of all the runners out there. Let's hope a good amount of money has been raised for PC.

[Ant11]

Thank you Ruthus, We left home at 5.30am in the morning so a long day. Well done on doing your run and of course your very generous donation for such a worthy cause. Keep fighting love Annette xxxxxx

[Ant11]

Well an amazing day yesterday at London Marathon, tinged with emotion at times. On behalf of Chris, Oliver and Georgia, thank you so much to everyone that donated to Oliver's just giving page in support of this vile disease. So far he has raised in excess of £3200.00. Oliver had to get out of bed at 5am, driven to London and then headed to the start where we left him at around 8am. We managed to get to 2 viewing points and thanks to the phone tracker managed to see him at both. Unfortunately we didn't get back to see the finish but were so proud that he completed his 26.2 miles in 4 hours. Oliver pushed himself hard having not being able to train a lot over the last couple of weeks, due to shin splints and painful knees but he ran through the pain. To say we were all proud was an understatement. Only 5 weeks after losing his beautiful Mum it was going to be tough but I know for certain she would have been with him every step he made and she would be more than proud of him. I was also so pleased that I got to meet Fiona Harding, who too was running for the charity. Some of you may recall her from her husband Jim's story. We followed it as Jim was diagnosed at the same time as Tracy, although he sadly was taken in February 2015. Fiona is undertaking 30 challenges before she is 30. I have to say I have never met anyone as inspiring as her apart from Tracy of course. Once again thank you so much. To everyone keep fighting, love to all Annette xxxxx

[PCUK Nurse Jeni]

What a fantastic total Annette!

Well, well done Oliver!

Jeni.

[J_T]

Amazing achievement, well done!

[Ant11]

Cannot believe Tracy left us nearly 5 months ago.... it just doesn't get any easier and feels like a dream. On the 22nd July 2016,(Chris & Tracy's Wedding Anniversary) we put her ashes into the plot at the local cemetery. A short but fitting service, the sun shone brightly just the same as their wedding day. That night, Chris, Oliver, Georgia my son and I went for a lovely meal in a beautiful restaurant, one I know Tracy would have loved. To everyone still fighting keep going, never give up. I miss her so much...... xxx