BFF's

well my best friend has ended her battle with a progressive neurologic disease that had left her paralyzed and dependent on bipap. She has left a great void in my life, but at the same time she allowed me to take part in her last few hours. After 17 years of friendship, I watched my friend go from a healthy and active 52 year old Nurse Practitioner, mother, wife,vegan and avid runner to a person who is dependent on everyone to live minute to minute. Her disease started almost a years ago with a limp. Got better. And then with each remission came back with vengence. This last remission left he a flaccid quadraplegic and dependent on bipap for breathing. She could never to continue like this. Despite 2nd and 3rd opinions and best the teaching hospital, she took things into her own matters and demanded to come home and be placed on hospice. She was very percise on how and when she wanted to have her life ended peacefully. She knew what she wanted to wear, what pictures she wanted to have around her and even the music playing in the background...even her water bottle by her side...The last 18 hours I spent by her side and we smiled, talked, joked and laughed...then was the time she had asked me to dress her in her running gear and then say good bye...She was the best friend I ever had...We had similar likes and dislikes. We also saw some things eye to eye and some not..but respected each other for who we were...we shared good times and bad times ..we cried and laughed together throughout the years...you are going to be greatly missed. but I thank you for letting me see you through the end...You were a co worker, preceptor and confidant ...you are my hero

In Memory of Deb Rodzwick Carlis CRNP