I am writing to your newspaper to respond to the very touching article on Sue Bradley Sheehan in your September 12th issue. I am convinced that it really is a small world. Recently my father who lives in Orangeville talked to me about a man named "Dan" whom he had met at the Forest Lawn Cemetery. He described a conversation that took place between the two of them as soothing. My father lost his wife, my mother in April 2005 from a sudden death. Although different from Sue Bradley Sheehan who suffered so much, the bond between my father and Dan came instantly, as they had both lost the love of their lives.

To my father's surprise a few days later he read the beautifully written article by Sue's husband Dan. I read the article as well and quickly concluded what a positive and strong woman that Sue was. I felt inspired by her courage but also saddened by all that she had to endure within the health care system.

I have been strongly touched by the article as I completed my 10 month journey with the fight against breast cancer in June 2007. For the most part I was fortunate to have competent health care providers. I did suffer with the horrible side effects of chemotherapy but nothing to what Sue had to endure.

I am perplexed as to why someone would have to go through what she did. The largest missing piece in her care was not listening to what she was saying in terms of her symptoms.

From the article written by Dan it sounds like Sue's symptoms were downplayed, with a patronizing attitude that could have lessened her suffering and perhaps increased her life span.

I feel strongly about all that Sue went through as a cancer patient and a health care professional myself. Their is a hard lesson to learn in the turmoil Sue and her husband Dan had to tolerate. Remember to listen to the patient and family as if it was your own. We don't know what our fate is but what we do know is that the loss of a loved one or a sudden illness always puts things back into perspective, and what is important in our lives. The sad part is I believe Sue and Dan knew this already.

Leanne Michalofsky (Daughter of Terry Barrett)

via e-mail