Lynn Marie Brooks 
May 18, 1964 - April 22, 2013

This morning Lynn went on to a much better place with God.
For almost three years she has been battling cancer and today Lynn is living for eternity with God and the cancer is dead.
I can't imagine life without my wife Lynn. She will be greatly missed by our children, Courtney (22), Ashton (22) and Quentin (19).
We know she is in the kingdom prepared for her since the creation of the world. (Matthew 25:34)

The memorial service to celebrate Lynn's life will be Saturday April 27th, 11:00 a.m. at Parkwood Gardens Church, 501 Whitelaw Road, Guelph.
There will be a reception luncheon to follow at the church.

No flowers please. You may choose to make a donation to Parkwood Gardens Church.

Lynn is survived by her mother, Inez Hartung and brother, Mark Hartung, both of Guelph. She was predeceased by her father. Kenneth Hartung.

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Obituary

Born May 18, 1964 in Guelph to Kenneth and Inez Hartung.

Lynn grew up on Inverness Drive and attended Waverley Drive Public School and John F. Ross CVI in Guelph. As a student, she was successful at synchronized skating, piano and always had top marks at school. She enjoyed many summers at the family cottage on Belwood Lake and worked as a pharmacy assistant while in high school. She particularly enjoyed attending summer camp at Camp Mini-Yo-We where she accepted Christ.

In 1983, she entered Pharmacy school at The University of Toronto. She met David at University in 1984 and they were married after third year on August 23rd, 1986. Lynn worked as a pharmacist at The Clarke Institute and Doctor's Hospital while living in Toronto and Markham.  They attended Knox Presbyterian Church in Toronto and Fellowship Baptist in Markham.

In 1988, David and Lynn moved to Welland where she worked at PharmaPlus and were members of Calvary Gospel Church. Courtney Anne and Ashton Marie, identical twin girls, were born in November 1990 at MacMaster Hospital in Hamilton. Lynn was an extremely dedicated mother from the very first day of her children's life. 

After moving to Downey Road in her home town of Guelph, Lynn gave birth to Quentin Carl Kenneth in November 1993. The family attended Calvary Baptist Church in Guelph and Lynn was able to resume working part-time as a relief pharmacist at various pharmacies. Lynn's parents, Kenneth and Inez Hartung, and brother Mark Hartung were also in Guelph.

As Lynn and David raised their three children, Lynn was a busy mom with her children in participating in Awana, Sunday School, piano, gymnastics, trampoline, swimming, gymnastics, skating, hockey, running, baking, crafts, cooking, summer camp, rock climbing, water-skiing, camping, hiking and everything that she could do for her children. Most importantly, Lynn always prayed for her children. Lynn gave the family many happy memories of family vacations together within Ontario, the U.S., Cuba, camping and at her parents' cottage. Lynn was active in the school work of Courtney, Ashton and Quentin, with Ashton graduating from co-op accounting, Courtney pursuing dental hygienist school and Quentin pursuing software engineering. 

Lynn was an avid gardener. She got great pleasure from planning her gardens, diligently caring for the plants and expressing her creativity by photographing the beauty of her flowers. Her gardening dog, Zechariah, was always by her side.

In recent years, Lynn went back to work full-time as a pharmacist, most recently at Pioneer Park Pharmacy in Kitchener. David and Lynn are members of Parkwood Gardens Church in Guelph.  In 2010, Lynn went on a short-term mission to Guatemala with Missionary Ventures as a Pharmacist, providing health and pharmacy services to those in need.

With David, Lynn became an active runner in 1999, and an integral part of the running community.  Lynn participated in many races from 5K on up to the marathon distance. Lynn helped David as his 'Lovely and Talented Assistant' as he coached the Guelph Cross Trainers, The Runner's Boot Camp and The Guelph Victors.

In 2009, Lynn supported David in the task of building a unique house on Forest Street in Guelph. To complete that endeavor, they were able to move into the house in the last 2 weeks of her life.

In August 2010, Lynn was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer and promptly had surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. In February 2011, she was able to recover for 8 months before the cancer returned. The family was able to enjoy one final family vacation together on a cruise in 2011 before she resumed chemotherapy.

In August 2012, Lynn began losing the use of her right arm and leg. The words in her online blog chronicling her illness were an inspiration to so many people as her faith never wavered. The huge number of cards, flowers and gifts sent to Lynn during her treatment are a testament to how many people loved her.

Shortly before her death, Lynn was transferred to the Hospice and went on to 'the place prepared for her since the creation of the world' on April 22nd, 2013.

Sorry for taking so long to update this blog.  My chemo choices have changed.  The experimental one is not available as of yet.  I am going back on Nab-paclixatel.  It has already started to work on some of the rash.  Which I am thankful for.  I have quite a bit of lymphadema in my right arm which is causing me pain.  I now have a compression sleeve and gauntlet, which seems to be helping.  I am now on pain medicine which gets me through the day and night.

Ephesians 3:20

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Thank you

I am overwhelmed by the kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness of all my friends. Every day there was a package on our doorstep with a Christmas ornament, plant, or chocolate. THANK YOU so much. The ornaments are beautiful and I treasure them!

On another note the chemo has not been working on my skin metastasis so yesterday we switched chemos. I am praying that this one will stop the growth. The side effects are less so far so that is one positive.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light for my path. 

Psalm 119:105

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 

Juravinski Cancer Centre

Well on Tuesday we went to Hamilton to the Juravinksi Cancer Centre. It was decided that I do not need the gamma-knife radiation yet. We are going to try managing with dexamethasone for now. I had chemo on Friday.

No God, No Peace
Know God, Know Peace

Update

Well I have a brain MRI and the results show that the brain metastasis is growning. The whole brain radiation did not shrink it. I will be going to Hamilton for stereotactic radiation. It is a one time thing that is directed directly at the met. Hopefully that will shrink it!
Other than that I am still quit tired and not able to do much.

Isaiah 40:31

but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Chemo

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for your overwhelming love, prayers and support. You are amazing friends!
I have now had 2 chemo and go back in 2 weeks. Today I had cisplatin and gemcitabine and so far feel fine as long as I take the meds to go with it.
This Thanksgiving we have so much to be thankful for. The kids will be home for some of the weekend and I am really looking forward to seeing all of them.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 100:4

Thank you!

Wow, I am so blessed to have such warm and caring friends! Thank you all so much for the beautiful flowers, your love is amazing. I thank Jesus for each and every one of you.

Friends are a gift from God

Update

Just a quick update on my condition. I have a 1.7cm brain metastasis which will be treated with whole brain radiation. Apparently brain mets are treatable so that's good news. I also have some bone mets as well. After they deal with the brain we will look at chemo for my inflammatory breast cancer which unfortunately is spreading. But I know it is all in God's hands and I have peace about that.
Thank you all for your continued prayers.

John 13:34-35
³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I haven't updated sooner. Basically I finished chemo in May and 10 weeks later my inflammatory breast cancer came back. Because it came back so quickly it was considered treatment failure. We decided to try oral chemo Xeloda. After 2 rounds of that is was evident it wasn't working. I have developed a brain met on the left side which is affecting my right leg and my right hand (difficult to type!) I will have a few more scans next week see what else is going on. The tentative plan is brain rads. I will try to keep you updated as long as I can type!!

John 3:16,17 (NIV)

 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

Update

Wow how times flies when you are having fun...or not. Actually things have been good but I just haven't had the time to update on here. 
After my first chemo it was decided that I needed a port as all the chemo had taken a toll on my veins. I had a port inserted under my skin as day surgery without too much pain. The problem was the IV line that the anaesthesiologist couldn't get in. After 3 attempts (1 using a pediatric cannula) and much blood he decided to wait until we got into the OR. He then decided his only option was the vein on the inside of the wrist. Well let me tell that hurts and hurts. It was the pain of the IV line that distracted me from the pain of the port insertion. In recovery it was still a problem because no one knew I had the IV there and I had to keep my wrist straight! I now have what I refer to as a golf ball. It actually sticks out just like half a golf ball. Everyone asks, does it hurt?  Well it did for a few weeks but now it just aches here and there, nothing really much to complain about.
My next chemo we were unable to use the port because it was still new. Then came the bad news. I was unable to have chemo because my WBC count was too low. The next week I was still unable to have it again. So then I decided to have Neupogen injections to raise my WBC. Thankfully there is a program called the Victory Program where the manufacturer will pay for half the cost of the injections if you qualify. Some believe the manufacturer is actually just absorbing their markup (which is probably true!). Even if is is expensive I am very thankful that there is a product out there so I can get my chemo which I desperately need.
The good news is that the injections have worked and I have had 2 more chemo. The skin metastases have responded by shrinking. Thank you Jesus!
As we celebrate Good Friday I am so amazed at Jesus dying on the cross for my sins and yours sins. It really should be called Great Friday. But it is only Good Friday because he arose again on the 3rd day which we celebrate as Easter Sunday. 

He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Luke 24:46-47 (NIV)

  

Thankful

My cancer has come back but I am thankful. Thankful for almost 3 months off of chemo. Thankful that my hair has grown back. Thankful that my eyebrows and eyelashes have grown back. Thankful for the time to feel "normal" again. Thankful that I was able to work through the last chemo. Thankful for each and every day here with family and friends. Thank you Lord.

My life verse:

2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Done

I went for my last chemo on Friday Dec 9th and waited over 2 hours for my blood work. Unfortunately due to human error (what we aren't perfect?) my blood work did not get prioritized as having chemo that day. When the blood work finally came back it was decided I could not have chemo as my blood counts were too low. So after 14 chemos my body said enough is enough. I too have said enough is enough. Although I was disappointed not to get my last chemo, on the bright side my hair will grow back a week earlier and I will feel better a week earlier! I have already started feeling better when working out. I am so thankful that my cancer responded to the chemo and it was able to take care of the skin metastasis. So many other women I know with IBC do not respond to chemo and need to keep trying different agents. I am also thankful that this chemo allowed me to continue working and living as "normal" a life as possible. Praise be to God.

A man leaves all kinds of footprints when he walks through life.
Some you can see...others are invisible, like the prints he 
leaves across other people's lives.
Margaret Lee Runbeck

So far so good

I have now had 11 chemos and the side effects are adding up. I have good days and bad days, just never know what kind of day it is going to be. But the bad days aren't really bad just achy hands but manageable with acetaminophen alone. The day after my last chemo I slept 5 hours then up for 2 hours then to bed for 12 hours. But the sleep is good and the next day I was up at 5:30 am (time change) and made some banana bread for Ashton and strawberry and chocolate scones for David. Then we were off to watch Ashton run her first half marathon! 1:43:50 chip time and we are all so happy for her.
Enjoying every moment. My beloved bringing me breakfast in bed is one of the sweet joys of life. Watching the leaves change colour is another. So many things to be thankful for.

I learned that life is not just a destination but a journey.
While the expedition can be long and arduous, it can be full of
beauty and pleasure as well.

     -- Wayne Holmes

3 Rounds Done

I have finished 3 rounds of chemo (9 chemos in all) and I feel like I have run a marathon. At first the chemo was fine but its cumulative effects are starting to wear on me. The tingling in the fingers and feet are coming, more off than on though. I am trying hard to fight off all the colds customers bring me. But I am not complaining. Life is good. I am thankful for the warm shower in the morning, the sun rise and all the new day has to bring me. I am thankful for each day I have here to share with family and friends. Thank you Jesus.

More chemo

Well I have decided against surgery for many reasons and I now have a new oncologist who is caring and knowledgeable!! Something I didn't have before. The idea of surgery was really just a stab in the dark. It would be major surgery and a skin graft was not an option. You cannot put skin on bone you need muscle. So the plastic surgeon would take my abdominal muscles and pull them up and maybe take some pectoral muscle too. It didn't sound very exciting to me but the main reason I decided against it was because there was no guarantee of clear margins. My rash thankfully has responded to the chemo so we would be cutting out a piece of skin with no idea how far or big to cut. No thanks. So we are left with chemo. The oncologist has decided I will have 5 to 6 rounds of chemo. Each round consists of once weekly chemo for 3 weeks then off 1 week. I have had 2 rounds of chemo so far. 5 rounds will take me to Christmas. My hair is falling out and I will probably spend another winter bald but it could certainly be worse. I feel fine except for some tiredness caused by the chemo. My scans were clear meaning I have no metastasis which I am thankful for. We are just going to take a wait and see approach. When (unfortunately they are not saying if) it returns we will deal with it. I am still working because I have such great co-workers who make coming to work a enjoyable. They even did the Run for the Cure on Sunday with me.

If I didn't have spiritual faith, I would be a pessimist. But
I'm an optimist. I've read the last page in the Bible. It's all
going to turn out all right.
     -- Billy Graham

Treatment

I just realized the last entry was in draft so today you will see 2 entries. I have had 3 treatments of weekly chemo and the cancer rash seems to be responding. It is getting smaller, thank you Lord. The chemo this time around is similar to last time but now it is nanoparticle, albumin-bound paclitaxel which has less side effects but costs 10x the price of plain paclitaxel. You can't have it unless you have had the other first and have had side effects. Thankfully I can still work with this one.
The kids are all leaving next week for school which is causing anxiety on my part. I can't believe they will all be gone. I know they will be in God's hand and thankfully not too far away.Thank you everyone for your prayers during this time.

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him
Romans 15:13

It's Back

Sorry for not writing on here for a long time. I have been busy living :)
I know when I read other people's blogs and they stop writing I often wonder if they have died. Well I haven't died yet but this inflammatory breast cancer is trying to kill me!
A few days short of a year and my cancer is back, in the same place, in the same way. This time they have no idea what to do. I saw a surgeon today but we are thinking chemo would be better because this time we could actually see if it works. Last time I had surgery first and therefore we never knew if the chemo was the right one because there was no way to monitor a response. All my IBC sisters in the States say surgery is not the correct treatment and I should have chemo. Since I have already had the first line chemo we have numerous options. How I wish I could get a good oncologist's opinion like the doctors who work at the 2 IBC sites in the U.S. but that really isn't an option. The best in Ontario just got back from holidays and will look at my reports tomorrow and hopefully get back to me soon. The other oncologist is on holidays, just like last year when I couldn't get anyone to help me sooner. Dr. T from Sunnybrook will know the best treatment but a second opinion would be nice.
On Friday I go for a bone scan and a CT scan just to make sure it hasn't metastasized. I really don't think it has because I feel fine except for the mental strain this is putting on me. I plan on continuing to work and living life the best I can. I really think quality is better than quantity even if the oncologist today said that surgery would buy me more time!

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18

Gene Testing & Follow Up

I have tested negative for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation. This means I do not have this genetic mutation and therefore I have not passed this down to our children. I am very thankful for this! I may still have a mutation in another cancer predisposing gene that has not yet been discovered but for now this is all we know.
Today I had my follow-up with my oncologist. I did not like walking back into the Cancer Center but at least I wasn't there for more treatment. When you walk into the waiting room everyone looks at you and then you at them. Today I was once again the youngest (or at least I'm pretty sure I was). My oncologist's nurse said she liked my short hair and that is suited me :)  Good thing because I don't have a choice!!
My follow up is going to consist of a yearly mammogram and MRI staggered 6 months apart and quarterly doctor's appointments. I was surprised  with this as from what I have heard most women do not get offered MRIs but fortunately my oncologist worked with inflammatory breast cancer during her residency and knows how aggressive it is. The lastest article written March 21, 2011 states that the median overall survival has significantly improved from approximately 15 months to 40 months; studies document that approximately 28% of women with IBC are alive and free of disease at 15 years. 
http://www.cancernetwork.com/breast-cancer/content/article/10165/1822129?pageNumber=1
Lord willing I do pray that I will be in the 28% group alive in 15 years but I know that if I am not I will be heaven praising Jesus. So either way I win!!

Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Christ.
     -- Life Application Bible

All Done!!!

Yeh, I am officially done treating this inflammatory breast cancer!!!! I had my last radiation treatment on Thursday but this almost didn't happen. I saw the radiologist on Wednesday and after he looked at my burning skin he said we should probably stop. I didn't say anything but was thinking NO I will have my last treatment no matter what! Well he opened up my chart and either the diagnosis or the prognosis changed his mind because then he said we better finish the treatment plan and have the last radiation. He said to call him if I blister as I would need some Flamazine. So far no blistering but very itchy. Interesting to know that the nadir (or worst possible side effects) occurs 7-10 days after treatment is finished..meaning you keep burning for awhile!!
Now what? That's what I want to know. I have some follow up appointments and I will have to find out how they monitor me. From what I understand the follow up monitoring isn't the best in Canada but I will find out.
Some of the wonderful women at work took me out for a celebratory finished treatment dinner. Thank you!
Thank you to everyone for all your prayers, support, meals and love you have shown us during this difficult time. I will always remember you.

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. 
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31