Hi all,
Lita had a good day today. This morning she had a Reiki treatment that put her to sleep. The Reiki therapist (for lack of a better word) told Lita before-hand that when a client falls asleep during a treatment it is the highest compliment. I guess it was good. This afternoon her son Peter and her step-son Glenn came for a visit and stayed for dinner. After dinner Kathy Henri and Holly came for a visit as well. Lita enjoyed these visits immensely.
So, what is this about story time? I would like for folks to add comments to this post and share a favorite "Lita" story. When you add a comment, don't forget to choose a profile. Also, I have noticed that frequently when I click "post comment" I get an error back from the server. Usually if I just click the button again, the post will be successful.
I can't wait to see what people have to share.
Clydene
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
What Does a Belly Tap Get You?
Well, as you know, today a Lita had a belly tap. She says she feels "fine as a fiddle." Yesterday she had difficulty picking up and bending her left knee. The fullness of her belly made it difficult to eat as much as she would like. Well, let me tell you, tonight was a different story!
After dinner was done, Lita headed to the living room - the parlour as she would call it - while we straightened up the kitchen. The only light in the room was what spilled in from the kitchen. As I came in to say something to her (I don't remember what), I was surprised to find her laying on the floor with her feet up in the air! My first reaction was "oh my God - what happened?" Then I realized she was stretching her limbs and "milking" her legs to get the fluid out of her feet! If I had thought of it quick enough, I would have taken a picture and included it with this post. I think people would enjoy that.
Have a great night.
Clydene
After dinner was done, Lita headed to the living room - the parlour as she would call it - while we straightened up the kitchen. The only light in the room was what spilled in from the kitchen. As I came in to say something to her (I don't remember what), I was surprised to find her laying on the floor with her feet up in the air! My first reaction was "oh my God - what happened?" Then I realized she was stretching her limbs and "milking" her legs to get the fluid out of her feet! If I had thought of it quick enough, I would have taken a picture and included it with this post. I think people would enjoy that.
Have a great night.
Clydene
Thank You
Thank you all for your lovely emails and blog comments. May God bless you and keep you in the palms of his hands.
Lita
Lita
Belly Tap Today
Hi all,
I just thought I would let you know that Lita is getting the belly tap today. We will be leaving in a few minutes. She has to get blood work and then the procedure is at 11:00. We won't be home until some time this afternoon.
Have a great day!
Clydene
I just thought I would let you know that Lita is getting the belly tap today. We will be leaving in a few minutes. She has to get blood work and then the procedure is at 11:00. We won't be home until some time this afternoon.
Have a great day!
Clydene
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Beginning of a Routine
Well, today I went back to work. Some of you may not know, but my husband is a stay-at-home dad to our two kids. He is really good at it, and he has now taken on the care of Lita while I am at work. It is a good thing they get along really well. Many of you have written on the blog or in emails about how strong and courageous I am. I don't see it that way. I see it as just something you do for someone you love. Thank goodness my husband does too. Without him I don't know what I would do - not just now at this time in my life, but in general.
Believe it or not, Lita had another good day. She had a visit from Sue Sarafinas today and talked to long-lost family members and friends. She is in good spirits and seems to be getting stronger every day - not quite strong enough for work as Mike hinted at in his comment, but definately stronger;-)
The only thing that seems to be causing Lita any trouble is the fluid in her belly. The Hospice team is working on getting a belly-tap scheduled so they can drain it. They are also discussing the possibility of leaving a drain in so the Hospice nurses can drain it when they come to see her. This would be great news as the fluid not only makes her belly really full, but it causes swelling in her legs and feet.
That is all for now,
Clydene
Believe it or not, Lita had another good day. She had a visit from Sue Sarafinas today and talked to long-lost family members and friends. She is in good spirits and seems to be getting stronger every day - not quite strong enough for work as Mike hinted at in his comment, but definately stronger;-)
The only thing that seems to be causing Lita any trouble is the fluid in her belly. The Hospice team is working on getting a belly-tap scheduled so they can drain it. They are also discussing the possibility of leaving a drain in so the Hospice nurses can drain it when they come to see her. This would be great news as the fluid not only makes her belly really full, but it causes swelling in her legs and feet.
That is all for now,
Clydene
To All My CMRG Family
I want to say thank you to all my CMRG family. It has always been a comfort to know that when I walked into the office I was surrounded by love and support - especially these past two years. Your encouragement helped me get through the tough times. No one ever gave up on me, and I appreciate that more than you will ever know!
Hugs and kisses to everyone.
Lita
Hugs and kisses to everyone.
Lita
Saturday, January 23, 2010
This Family of Ours
Ours is not usually a demonstrative family. A hug upon arriving and another upon leaving. We are not constantly telling each other "I love you." But there is no doubt that we do love each other.
We display this love by the way we spend our time together. We always share stories about our childhood. The other day my brother Larry talked about the first time I had a Whopper at Burger King. Evidently I came home and said "I had a Whop for dinner." He said I was about 5 at the time. I don't remember it, but it was something he remembered. Another story we shared this week was about the time some bully was picking on one of the oldest of our brothers, Donald. Lita, who didn't really get along very well with Donald at that time, jumped on the bully's back and fought him off. The bully's parents came and complained about Lita beating up their son. She didn't get in trouble for protecting her brother - just told she shouldn't be doing that.
When the cousins were here last weekend, the stories just went on and on. Of course, since there are twelve years between Lita and I, most of these stories were just that - stories. I was too young to be a part of it, but I enjoy hearing about them.
Some of my favorite memories of Lita in my childhood come from my teenage years. I loved to rollerskate, and she did too. I would go for a double-session which I think ran from 7 - 12, but Lita would come later in the evening after she visited with Glenn. She would have to show her license to prove she was old enough to stay for the second session. She got a kick out of this since she was in her mid- to late-twenties! She looked so young that the guys my age were hitting on her!
Well, thanks for letting me ramble on, but I bet what you really want to know is "How's Lita?" She is doing good. She is still enjoying meals and actually ate a slice and a half of a yummy lemon sponge cake that Lok and his friend Paul brought today.
Over the last few days all of her siblings and an uncle have made it into town and she was able to have nice visits with them. She got to talk to her cousin in California and got email from another in Colorado (he said he always considered her his "cool cousin" :-) Today she had friends from the office come for a visit, and her son is here for the night. After a rest she is feeling well and is snuggled up with her son watching television. Ah, pure bliss in that.
Til next time,
Clydene
We display this love by the way we spend our time together. We always share stories about our childhood. The other day my brother Larry talked about the first time I had a Whopper at Burger King. Evidently I came home and said "I had a Whop for dinner." He said I was about 5 at the time. I don't remember it, but it was something he remembered. Another story we shared this week was about the time some bully was picking on one of the oldest of our brothers, Donald. Lita, who didn't really get along very well with Donald at that time, jumped on the bully's back and fought him off. The bully's parents came and complained about Lita beating up their son. She didn't get in trouble for protecting her brother - just told she shouldn't be doing that.
When the cousins were here last weekend, the stories just went on and on. Of course, since there are twelve years between Lita and I, most of these stories were just that - stories. I was too young to be a part of it, but I enjoy hearing about them.
Some of my favorite memories of Lita in my childhood come from my teenage years. I loved to rollerskate, and she did too. I would go for a double-session which I think ran from 7 - 12, but Lita would come later in the evening after she visited with Glenn. She would have to show her license to prove she was old enough to stay for the second session. She got a kick out of this since she was in her mid- to late-twenties! She looked so young that the guys my age were hitting on her!
Well, thanks for letting me ramble on, but I bet what you really want to know is "How's Lita?" She is doing good. She is still enjoying meals and actually ate a slice and a half of a yummy lemon sponge cake that Lok and his friend Paul brought today.
Over the last few days all of her siblings and an uncle have made it into town and she was able to have nice visits with them. She got to talk to her cousin in California and got email from another in Colorado (he said he always considered her his "cool cousin" :-) Today she had friends from the office come for a visit, and her son is here for the night. After a rest she is feeling well and is snuggled up with her son watching television. Ah, pure bliss in that.
Til next time,
Clydene
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
A Quiet Day
Today has been a quiet day. Lita has been eating well - two full meals and some cherrie along with her Ensure. We have received lots of emails, and I have read them all to her. I think we have responded to all, but if we missed you, I apologize. She loves hearing from people on the blog as well.
This afternoon we sat at the table for a bit and played a new card game my daughter got for Christmas - SWAP. It was nice to do that too. She had a nice rest this afternoon as well. Our brother will be here to see her tomorrow, and Lita and I are both looking forward to that.
Last night Lita said she felt like a fraud because she has been feeling so well these past few days. We told her that it would certainly be OK with us if it turned out to be a farce. From her lips to Gods ears.
My cousin Cathie had a great quote with commentary on her facebook after her visit with us on Sunday that I thought I would share with everyone.
"The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it." (C.C. Scott). I have witnessed this in action yet again today."
Words to live by, Cathie. Words to live by.
Clydene
This afternoon we sat at the table for a bit and played a new card game my daughter got for Christmas - SWAP. It was nice to do that too. She had a nice rest this afternoon as well. Our brother will be here to see her tomorrow, and Lita and I are both looking forward to that.
Last night Lita said she felt like a fraud because she has been feeling so well these past few days. We told her that it would certainly be OK with us if it turned out to be a farce. From her lips to Gods ears.
My cousin Cathie had a great quote with commentary on her facebook after her visit with us on Sunday that I thought I would share with everyone.
"The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it." (C.C. Scott). I have witnessed this in action yet again today."
Words to live by, Cathie. Words to live by.
Clydene
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Photos
On the right-hand side of this page is a link to a Snapfish photo album. Just click the link and sign in to Snapfish. If you don't have an account, you can sign up then. Just click on the link on the Snapfish login page that says "Wait! I don't have a Snapfish account."
A Woman at Peace
After battling stage 4 breast cancer for the past 2 1/2 years, the time is almost here for Lita to leave this world. She made this decision on Thursday, January 14, and came to stay with me, her little sister, and my family on Friday. Although the reality sucks, I am in awe of Lita's strength, courage, and dignity. Since she made her decision, she has been at peace with it and in her relationship with God. Her inner peace is evident with each phone call she takes and each visitor that comes to see her. And there have been many of both.
Cousins call from half-way across the country, friends and co-workers call daily to see how she is doing. Dad, brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, uncles have flown or driven in. Some are still in transit. With each of these people she is loving and generous with her time. Below are some of the things I have overheard her say to people either over the phone or in person:
"I love you and I like you."
"It has been my honor to know you for all these years."
"You are in my prayers. I hope you have a wonderful life."
"You deserve the best relationship. If you meet a man and he doesn't treat you the way you should be treated, kick him to the curb. You deserve to be treated like a princess."
"I'll always be in your heart."
These are the words of a woman at peace. These are the words of a woman helping all of us to prepare for the unavoidable loss we will all feel.
Today, after one or another of her phone calls, Lita commented that she never knew how many people's lives she had touched. She was very emotional when we had this conversation. Obviously she has. As I thought about this later, I thought that if we all lived our lives in this manner, what an awesome world it would be. I think I will make this one of the goals in my life. A priority.
For those of you who wish to stay in contact with Lita, you can call her cell phone. I recommend to call after 10 AM and before 8 PM. If she is resting, I will answer it and take a message. Another option is to email me at thewestfordstamper@yahoo.com. I'll make sure she gets your message and will happily type responses for her. You can also leave a comment on this blog if you just want to give a shout-out to let her know that you are thinking about her.
Clydene
Lita's little sister
Cousins call from half-way across the country, friends and co-workers call daily to see how she is doing. Dad, brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, uncles have flown or driven in. Some are still in transit. With each of these people she is loving and generous with her time. Below are some of the things I have overheard her say to people either over the phone or in person:
"I love you and I like you."
"It has been my honor to know you for all these years."
"You are in my prayers. I hope you have a wonderful life."
"You deserve the best relationship. If you meet a man and he doesn't treat you the way you should be treated, kick him to the curb. You deserve to be treated like a princess."
"I'll always be in your heart."
These are the words of a woman at peace. These are the words of a woman helping all of us to prepare for the unavoidable loss we will all feel.
Today, after one or another of her phone calls, Lita commented that she never knew how many people's lives she had touched. She was very emotional when we had this conversation. Obviously she has. As I thought about this later, I thought that if we all lived our lives in this manner, what an awesome world it would be. I think I will make this one of the goals in my life. A priority.
For those of you who wish to stay in contact with Lita, you can call her cell phone. I recommend to call after 10 AM and before 8 PM. If she is resting, I will answer it and take a message. Another option is to email me at thewestfordstamper@yahoo.com. I'll make sure she gets your message and will happily type responses for her. You can also leave a comment on this blog if you just want to give a shout-out to let her know that you are thinking about her.
Clydene
Lita's little sister
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
