Our friend Rosemary (Dewey) Sullivan

"You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind. But you can change yourself. That is something you have." Jim Rohan

I have been trying to think about what to say or do for the last few days. There are no words for what our friend Rose (Dewey) Sullivan has experienced during the previous 12 months. She lost her sister, husband, cousin, grandson, and her beloved four-legged friend Betty.

Rose is about to start the fight against cancer.

In March, what she thought was a tooth infection and just some essential dental work and antibiotics, she felt she could overcome what she was experiencing.

However, the jaw pain and infection were diagnosed as Squamous cell Carcinoma. Same kind of cancer her husband Scott was diagnosed with. Her cancer has been found in her lower jaw. She will be going to Boston in a few weeks to have surgery to remove the left side of her jaw and the lymph nodes in her neck. They will be replacing her jawbone with a piece of her femur. Then she will have radiation treatments and possibly chemo.

The following day after she was told about her diagnosis, Rose had an accident at home. She fell through a heater vent into her basement. She has seven broken ribs, three fractured vertebrae, two completely ruptured vertebrae, and a slight brain bleed.

Rose started a new job in January at Bowdoin College. She enjoys her new career, it’s close to home, and her coworkers have built great relationships. They have been very accommodating and understanding of these unforeseen life experiences that Rose has faced this year. She is looking forward to returning to work and having a routine.

In the meantime, with recovery from her upcoming surgeries, radiation, and her recent accident, she will be out of work until early spring. Rose lives alone, with household expenses, travel expenses going back and forth to Boston, increasing hospital bills, prescription costs, and other expenses during this fight; let’s help her out!

We all know Rose; she is strong, she is a fighter and has experienced more than anyone should have to deal with. Rose will get through this soon, and hopefully, it will all be in the past, but until then, let’s come together, show our love and support, and help her get through this difficult time.

Together we got this.

"you are strong"

"you are amazing"

"you are loved"

"you are not alone"

"you are tough"

"you are courageous"

"you are a fighter"

-unknown-