Another good, brave and far too young person has been taken by this disease. Karin was a 32 old dutch woman and one of the first to post a comment when I began publishing lifeandbreath. She also kept a blog, http://blog.carosum.com/, and remarkably, wrote something almost every single day for the three years since her diagnosis at the age of 29. I always enjoyed getting a comment from Karin, and from time to time would check in on her, although the translation provided by Google was often awkward.
Today was one of those days, and I was stunned by the following message:
Hello dear ones, when you read this then I’m deceased.
In fact, she passed away yesterday, and the blog goes on to say how difficult and pain filled her days had become. The post concluded with this message:
I have so much written in recent years that I no longer have much to say. I think everyone has a good idea of who I was and how I have lived.
I’ll be happy when I finally found peace and I am pain free.
life and breath: outliving lung cancer 
What a beautiful girl!
I’m so sorry.
Carolyn
She is/was. I hurt for her and her family.
Linnea
Linnea I dont know what to say to you. You must be in a dark place right now. I’m sorry. She was the same age as my daughter.
Beryl, I am, but, (and I think you will understand this), it is okay. It (death) is part of life. Still, it is so very difficult to accept when it takes someone so young.
Linnea
I do understand Linnea very well. When someone we love is in pain and suffering, the compassionate thing is to let them go, with love.
Dear Linnea, How utterly awful. Yet reading her last few blogs and remembering the last days of others, she truly will be at peace now. A happy place for some, as eternal sleep can be an attractive albeit oneway path to take. Hug those you love. Treasure the living. Honour the memory of those taken away too early. KK. Dxxx
David, it is true. Karin was in much pain, and had been uncomfortable for a long time. At some point, a person has to feel free to let go. For those of us who go on living, it seems odd to think of death as a kindness, but I do believe those who are suffering come to view it as such. There is a lesson there.
Linnea
Dear Linnea,
I’m so very,very sad and chocked (again), I also visited Karins page from time to time. The only comfort today, is that she finally was released from the pain. Sending my thoughts to her husband, family and friends.
Love, Anja
Ah Anja, It is again so unfortunate. But Karin seemed at peace, so we can in fact take comfort from that. Stay strong and full of life my friend.
Love, Linnea