That Tragic Day

37 years ago on February 17, 1981 was the tragic day that our lovely Carolyn Jones was diagnosed with colon cancer. In James Plyant's book we find a quote from Carolyn showing how terrified she was when she first started getting surgeries, "I was so terrified that I broke out in a rash before surgery that no medical person could find the cure for. But I knew what it was- pure terror." During that surgery they took out a foot of her colon. Her oncologist had to tell her sister Bette that she only had 2 years left to live. He didn't have the heart to tell Carolyn personally. For treatments she went through aggressive chemotherapy. She convinced herself that her illness was curable. She changed her diet, she exercised, thought positively and prayed. She didn't let the public know about her cancer cause she was afraid that nobody would hire her anymore, she wanted to keep working despite the pain she was in. She was hired to play the role of Myrna Clegg on the CBS soap opera Capitol in early 1982. She loved being on the show and playing her character. She was quoted when talking about her character "I love being a bitch!" But not everything was as great as things seemed, one of her Jane Daly had seen the difference between the Carolyn on stage and the one behind. "Look at the wreck of an old mess i am! The body, I've got no hair, no makeup" and after being prepared for the show "Look at this Jane. See what wigs and makeup and wardrobe can do? I look like a million dollars!" She went on the be on the show until her cancer got worse and they forced her off the show. August 3, 1983 our angel passed away in her home with Alicia Buttons (Red Buttons wife) by her side. She was cremated the next day. Her ashes were place above her mothers (Chloe Jones) heart in their family crypt. (Melrose Abbey Memorial Park in Anaheim, Orange County, California, USA. Plot North Patio, 46 gg)