A delayed post from September...

Wrote this in mid-September and wanted to share it with you on the blog here.

Feeling a little introspective tonight, and just wanted to share this...

I'm in the process of reviewing the edits made by the publisher of my mom's book. For anyone who wasn't aware, her blog "Without a Manual" is being turned into a book - including her entries, a few special ones she wrote to include in the book, contributions from some very special people in her life, and the final chapter written by me.

Going through her entire time of writing (which ended up being almost four and a half years) has been emotional to say the least, and I'm just over halfway through. Reading her writing, however, makes me feel closer to her than I have since she passed. One minute she is making me cry, and the next I'm laughing out loud, much to the alarm of the two cats. It makes me feel like she's here with me again, talking to me through her writing.

It reminds me that as hard as it has been to lose her, I feel like the luckiest person in the world to have had to opportunity to love her and be loved by her. She's my role model, and I couldn't think of a better one. I'm so thankful to her for leaving this body of work behind, and I see it primarily as a gift to me. Any happiness it brings to others is just a bonus.

Basically, I just wanted to share how excited I am for this book to finally come to fruition (I know it's been a long time in the making, with many delays), and to share with you how much joy my mom has given me, even after her passing.

Thank you for continuing to check in on the blog, I'm hoping I'll have a solid date to give for the release of the book soon!

- Suzanna

Without A Manual book

Thank you all for continuing to check my mother's blog - the "final chapter" is in progress, and I will be posting on this blog to let you know about the official release date of the book. 

Keep an eye out, and thank you all for your continued support!

- Suzanna

Death Notice for Sandy Trunzer

I’m gone; a good number of you reading this will have known that it wouldn’t be much longer. I took care of that quite publicly by participating in the CBC documentary “Last Right”. Here’s hoping that the end was as peaceful as we’d hoped.

Harder than anything I could ever have imagined was to leave behind my sweet daughter Suzanna, who put her education on hold to take care of me in my final months. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is. It’s been the highest privilege imaginable to be her mother; I suspect that she’ll feel the same way about her own children one day.

Also with me at the end was my dear friend Sue. Perhaps not a sibling by blood, but as close as one could come to being the perfect sister without sharing DNA. Other good friends stuck by us through the tough parts, I couldn’t have asked for better companions on the last leg.

Also survived by my mother, Karin, and my brother Oliver (Kelcina) and their children Allyson and Kristian.

My thanks go to my wonderful and amazing medical/support team. In particular Dr. Ho Ping Kong,  Lorelei Cornish, Dr. Mathur, Dr. Downar, Dr Grossman, nurses Annelies and Cynthia. Nurses at TGH MSICU, Baycrest Hospital Palliative Unit 6W, Dee Kearns/ volunteers (especially my angel Jane), Wellspring (Halton) and Dale Massender.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to one of the following: the CEEP team at TGWH Foundation (416-340-4430), Baycrest Foundation (Palliative Unit 6W) 416-785-2875,                     TGH/TWH foundation "Palliative Care Research” (Fund 5790 6090 0773 ) 416-340-4430

Cremation and a private ceremony have taken place.

If you would care to share a memory with my daughter, please email her at sandytrunzerstories@gmail.com. Embarrassing tales are okay, she should know that her mother was just as goofy before her arrival as after!

For those who followed my blog Without a Manual, the book will be out in a few months. A portion of the proceeds will go to some very special organizations.

Suzanna – thank you for choosing me, the best birthday gift I ever received. What a ride you and I have shared.