Dukesfan, your heart rending post is indeed sad, and more poignant as you mention,
so near and close to Duke's birthday.
Your loss is so recent, and it so enriching that you have shared your love for her, with us all.
Cancer is a dreadful curse,and so far, touch wood count myself as
one of the lucky ones, having suffered from throat cancer over the last three years,
finally being given the 'all clear', as near as one can have an 'all clear'!.
The treatment itself is more agonizing then the dreadful disease,
and my prayers are with you at this sad time.
Duke's legacy of course lives on