Lena
‘For now, the song is over. But someday, somewhere I have this overwhelming feeling that we will be together again. I hope she waits for me. So until then…..’
‘The fight began in late December 2017, when we learned that Lena had Triple Negative Breast Cancer. TNBC is the most aggressive breast cancer with no known trigger and no cure. Anyone who knew Lena knows she was super healthy, an “organic” girl who loved exercise and only the healthiest of foods. She did everything right. Yet this evil cancer latched onto her and wouldn’t let go. She fought with everything she had. After seven surgeries including chemo in 2018, we thought she beat it. We enjoyed about two years of living until it reared its ugly head again – it metastasized everywhere. And so the journey started again, the fight, the chemo, the radiation.’
‘She did not want to broadcast her struggle, she did not want sympathy or conversations about her. She did not want cancer to define her, to change who she was and who she was to others. For me, Lena was always the prettiest girl in the room, the smartest person I ever met, the funny Russian girl, outgoing, warmest, most loving, and honest person on the planet. If she was your friend, she was a TRUE friend with no hidden agendas. She gave 100% in everything she did, whether it was work or play. There were no shortcuts, she did everything to the very best of her abilities. I still don’t know how she ended up with me, I certainly didn’t deserve her.’
‘On Tuesday, April 25th, 2:50 PM God decided that she endured enough suffering. Lena left the building, she left this world to join another. She leaves behind her loving husband…me, and her beautiful daughter Daria, the “love of her life” Charlie (the very fat Persian cat), and the other loves of her life (Daria’s cats) Dexter and Fitz. She also left behind my three kids back in NY – Dana, Frankie, and Joey. Lena and I both decided that in the end, cremation is our choice. Nothing is planned for the moment. You can keep her soul alive every time you think of her. Remember the fun times with her. Remember her gorgeous eyes that sparkled when she smiled. She was an avid donor to the ASPCA, St. Judes for Children, Shriners, and Tunnel to Towers. For now, the song is over. But someday, somewhere I have this overwhelming feeling that we will be together again. I hope she waits for me. So until then…..’
Lena’s memorial diamond, set in an earring
