Baldies' Blog began originally in the UK by a 26 year old journalist with a blood cancer on a mission to inform the world about bone marrow donation.

He has since died, and I took on the cause of making cancer care more transparent for everybody.

Cancer is a disease that will touch everybody through diagnosis or affiliation: 1 in 2 men will be diagnosed and 1 in 3 woman will hear those words, "You Have Cancer."

I invite you to read how I feel along my journey and
how I am continuing to live a full life alongside my Hodgkin's lymphoma, with me controlling my cancer, not my cancer controlling me.

I hope that "Baldies' Blog" will prepare you to handle whatever life sends you, but especially if it's the message, "You Have Cancer."

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Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Update from Vic & family

Hi too all 
Hillary has passed away tonight (Feb 6, 2012) with her twin sister Heather, brother Patrick and his wife Grace, mother Nancy and father Vic all at her bedside. Her husband Jon Ford and her son "Xander" had gone back home so X could play in his last game of the season. We had kidded, that Hillary would probably be there to see it also. It was a 7:30 pm game and she left us at 6:50 pm.

Hillary hodgekins disease had been active for 6 years. She had an extremely agressive strain that would mutate and render that type of chemo useless. She had survived 2 bone marrow transplants, multiple chemo treatments, radiation and trial drugs. She allways had a positive outlook.

Tonight we were listening to the music on her blog. She always wanted her music to tell her story. When "don't worry be happy"

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rest in peace Hillary. You fought a damn good fight while accomplishing countless achievements. Most of us will pass without making much of an impact or difference in this world, but not you. You shined before your illness, during your battle and now after your departure from earth. You inspired us, you educated us, you showed us how to be strong even in the darkest of times. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

Val said...

I will remember you always, even though we've never met. You articulated your fight with cancer and our broken health care system better than anyone. May you have peace. I will miss your blog posts.

Anonymous said...

Hillary was an inspiration and will not be forgotten. Her perseverance in the face of this awful disease really amazed us. The lesson Hillary taught me was that you can choose how you live your life, no matter what obstacles are in your way. She chose to be positive and take action on the things that mattered to her, and the cancer be damned. To her friends and family that remain, especially husband and son, you are being thought of as you grieve for your loss. Hillary will be missed, but her words and actions will live on forever.

Loraine Ritchey said...

I am so sorry - your daughter meant so much to so many people . I have posted some words and the hope that every medical professional should read Hillary's blog and her journey - Your daughter helped me so much- I have walked the journey you are walking now - if I can ever help in anyway let me know
http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/hodgkins-lymphoma-refractory-hodgkins-the-loss-of-hillary-st-pierre/

Anonymous said...

I've never met Hillary, but I will miss her dearly. She was an amazing woman who taught me a lot! Thank you, Hillary! I'll miss the 'Dad updates' too!

Nancy said...

It is hard to believe that a person with a spirit so strong can be gone. I read Hillary's blog for a couple of years now. I'm almost expecting an update from her on 'how it is to die'. She always tried to educate with what she went through. I'm a Lymphoma survivor myself and understood some of what Hillary faced. Thank you for sharing Hillary!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful writer, mother, and advocate for healthcare justice. Hillary your pain is over. You will not be forgotten - c. West Hartford reader

Anonymous said...

RIP Hillary. I followed your blog since 2007 when I was diagnosed with the Hodge. You taught me it was still ok to be a Mom first, even while going through treatment. You can still play soccer when you have no hair! Jon, X and family... we all sorrowfully grieve with you. Hillary was very special. Speak of her often, continue to feel her love, don't be afraid to remember her and laugh about the good times. She is still with you, and always will be, as long as she is in your hearts.

Anonymous said...

I only recently found Hillary's blog but she touched me deeply as i read about her journey. I know she's resting in blissful pain free peace. My sympathies to all of her family and friends and thanks for updating her blog. My prayers continue to go out to all of you as you learn to live on without that bright shining light in your lives. Her strength is an inspiration that i hope will be of help to you now.
Minnesota reader

Anonymous said...

I have been listening to her blog music all day too. It helps...

lanabanana said...

Vic, I wish you would consider taking over Hillary's blog and writing about loss from a father's perspective. I know from your updates that writing helps you process and this could help both you and the readers.

Hugs to you all!
Alanna

Tammy Vittum said...

There are no more words that haven't been said, but please know that we are thinking of all of you and Hillary will never be forgotten.

Anonymous said...

Thinking and praying for Hillary and your family.

Anonymous said...

I will miss Hill's blogs on a daily basis but I am certain her entire family will miss her more. I wanted you to know that without Hillary, I would not have been able to get through my own bone marrow transplant. I wrote to her in the hospital when I was sick and she encouraged me every day. I will always remember her for taking the time to give me words of wisdom and assurance despite her own illness and her busy life. She found time for her son, yet managed to still find time for everyone else. I will miss her forever and ever.

Anonymous said...

hillary, may your beautiful soul rest in peace, disease free, watching over your beautiful family. For fighting the good fight with so much dignity and grace. I will be forever greatful for your wisdom and knowledge.

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear of this loss my thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends. I am deeply moved and inspired by her writings and all of us whether we have dealt with cancer or not will forever be inspired by Hillary. May you rest in peace up amongst the angels <3

Sharon & Bruce Edwards said...

Our hearts go out to you Vic, Nancy, Jon, "X", and the rest of the family. Hillary - a beautiful spirit. God bless and give you continued strength.

Anonymous said...

Rest in peace-Although I didn't know Hillary well, I admired the times I talked to her, she was a strong, beautiful woman and it was a honor to know her what little I did.

Emerald76 said...

Hillary has touched my heart. Prayers to all of you.

Robin Iliopoulos said...

I never knew Hillary or about her blog until a couple of days ago. What an amazing writer and inspiration. Her ability to articulate her journey and life lessons touched me deeply. I am so sorry for your family for your loss but from what I read on Hillary's blog, this is one time that I believe she has been called home for a higher purpose. She is with you as a spirit that strong will never leave you. God Bless you.

Anonymous said...

I was heart broken to hear of Hillary's passing. She has always been an insperation to others in whatever she did whether is was soccar, basketball, or in class. She never hesitated to help others or try to make someone feel better. I am honored to have known such a wonderful person. Hillary may u fly high in heaven. My Gram always aid God only takes the best, he definitely brought the best home with him last night. To Vic, Nancy, Heather and thefamily my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely Keri Greenwood

Anonymous said...

God has added another angel to his legions. She was a beautiful soul, mother, friend and educator. She taught so much in her short amount of time on this earth. Watch over us and continue to teach us?

Anonymous said...

Hillary has left this earth, but she will never be far away, for she exists now in our hearts. Because of following her journey, we all have become better people and certainly more aware of the inequities of our health care system.
Hillary believed in fixing her little corner of the world. Among the many lessons that she has imparted, this should be one that we all take to heart. Imagine what an effect Hillary would have on the world if just we, her blog followers, took up that banner of improving, if just a little bit, our own backyard.
Rest in peace, sweet Hillary.

Hilary Grabe said...

God has gained another angel, Hillary. What an inspiration to so many people. A courageous young woman who left this earth too soon. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. She will remain in our hearts forever with the bright twinkle of her eyes.

Colin Nelson said...

I am truely saddened buy the news this morning,...
I've never got the pleasure to meet Hillary, but I know she put up quite a fight to overcome this sickness.
She sounded like an amazing woman from all I have heard, and my heart goes out to the family & friends for all they represent... great people, good friends.

Please call on me for anything I can do to help you out, in anyway.

God Bless you all.

Anonymous said...

Requiescat in pace Hillary.

Anonymous said...

Your daughter was an amazing woman. Her story touches and grabs at my heart. It's devastating that she lost her fight, but her will and courage are something to be inspired by and I am sure that Xander will carry those traits of hers on.

I am sure she made it to his game.

Cathy Mondonedo said...

I'm really honored to have met you, and your family. Taking care of you was certainly a moment in my life that I will never forget, your grace and strength are an inspiration to all. To your family, please find strength in each other as well as the legacy that Hillary has managed to leave behind. Like I told her, "the love and support that you are receiving is a testament to the love and support you have given." You all will be remembered. Be well!
I hope Xander's basketball game was a smash!

Phaileen said...

Hillary was a great support to my Aunt when my cousin Andy battled leukemia. She brought Xander to visit Andy often and those visits helped Andy a lot. She had such great knowledge and was willing to share everything she knew to help our family fight cancer. She was always smiling and helpful in so many ways. She will always be special to us and not forgotten. I feel so blessed to have met her.