I must admit that it has taken me some weeks to write this. In all honesty I just miss my friend.

I’m sure many will describe Carrie as a brilliant and dedicated scientist, which she absolutely was. In these past years it has been hard to watch Carrie need to put that brilliant mind to her own cancer treatment and journey. Naturally she did just that, with a strength and calmness that I will forever be in ore of.

Working on an oncology drug project brought us together, but swiftly friendship between Carrie, Jess and I made us more than colleagues, in our little ‘circle of trust’.

I think of Carrie most days; when I look at the vase she bought us for our wedding, or the plant on our kitchen island she gave us to ‘look after’ as she couldn’t take any more back to the US. When I think of Carrie, I think of family, of Ondine. I think back to telling Carrie we were pregnant, the first friend we shared our special news with and how she cried tears of joy with me. I can’t find the words to describe my sadness.

Carrie had such a gentle kindness that resonated in everything she did.

My American friend, who understood my British sarcasm. I will miss her so very much, Helen xxx