Brandi Thorpe- A CF Warrior, March 21 1978 to February 15, 2012

I first met Brandi as "bankgirl" during the launch of my blog.  I found her blog as I was seeking out CF related blogs to follow.  In return, she started following my blog too.  She was one of my first followers.  I learned a lot about life with CF through Brandi.  She posted raw emotion and shared in the difficulties of balancing work with health.  When hospitalized, she would refer to the stay as being at "Club Dread" instead of "Club Med." 

Brandi and I had a lot in common. We were the same age, love animals, and of course CF. She gave me great advice when I needed it the most.


She didn't blog as much this past year, so it was not as easy to keep up with her and her health.  She posted a blog in January to which she recapped an extended hospital stay, which included being there most of December, including Christmas Day.  Even after a four week stay, her lung function continued to be below her baseline.  They started to discuss an evaluation for transplant.  From this point the details are fuzzy, but she landed back in the hospital and suddenly was listed in critical condition, on a ventilator.  Hours later she was taken off life support and her suffering was over. 

There are so many things I loved about Brandi.  She was an animal lover.  She loved her "kittehs" as she always wrote it.  I will never forget back in 2009, her friend Lauren lost her life to CF.  Lauren had three dogs that were now homeless.  Brandi put forth every effort to find those dogs a home.  She also raised funds to support them until they could find a new place to live.  I will never forget the blog Brandi wrote when she found those dogs a home.  Together.  In Colorado.  I think there are so many people that would just take the easy way out and leave the dogs at the shelter to either be adopted separately or simply euthanized.  Not Brandi.  A true friend.  She did the right thing, in honor of her friend.  This is my favorite memory of Brandi.  My hope is someone is able to do the same for Brandi's fur babies. 

Brandi loved Halloween.  I always looked forward to her blogs around Halloween, because she was so excited about the holiday.  She had awesome costumes with a lot of imagination. 

Brandi's life has come to an end way too soon.  She spend a lot of time in the hospital. I hate that she spent her last Christmas there.  Even still, she always displayed a positive attitude.  A spirit we can all learn from.  Blogging will not be the same with out her.  I never met Brandi in person, but when I picture her face, I can't believe she is not with us any longer. Her smile is imbedded in my memory forever.  I'll miss you Brandi.