Saying Goodbye to a Friend

This past week has been very...emotional. Michael, Ellie and I were going to house-sit for a week starting the 5th for the Nielsen's while my mom went to Arizona to babysit for my sister. We got a call on Monday the 4th asking if we could come a day early because Kim (my friend - she has breast cancer) was needing help and was thinking about calling Hospice. We went over and it was decided that Kim would go to the doctor on Thursday before deciding what she wanted to do.

It was immediately apparent that Kim needed help. We took over her medication to make sure that she was getting what she needed and when. We also realized that her right arm was too painful to move so we made a sling and started helping her change her clothes, etc. She seemed very uncomfortable and at times incoherent. Thursday arrived and we took the trip to the doctor's. After much discussion about possibilities and pain we took an x-ray of Kim's arm. We learned that her upper arm was indeed broken and that she had cancer in the bone, at that site, about the size of a golf ball. No wonder she was in so much pain.

That night I noticed that her breathing was extremely labored - like she'd been running a marathon. At about 5 am I couldn't take it anymore and asked my dad what should be done. A chest x-ray was scheduled for Friday. It turned out to be pneumonia and/or cancer in the lungs.

We admitted Kim into the hospital Friday night. Her 3 boys and 1 daughter-in-law drove through the night from California to be with her on Saturday. On Sunday we got the news that Kim has cancer in her lungs. She left for California on Wednesday.

Kim is a wonderful person. She taught me the gospel and helped my testimony grow in a time of my life that I desperately needed it. She wasn't the only one, but she was pivotal. I feel blessed to be a part of her life and blessed that I could give service to her in her time of need. It's an unpleasant feeling, knowing that you are truly saying goodbye to someone for the last time. I feel grateful that I had that chance. I really don't know what I'd do if I didn't know what was coming for her. If I knew I'd never see her again. But I will. I will see her. It's only goodbye for a little while. I wish her well in her journey.

Playing Cranium

We had fun tonight playing cranium at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Steven, Alysa, Becca (for some of the time), Grandma Jane, Grandpa Ken, Michael, Ellie and I were there. Usually, I'd make a cute video of some of the stuff I got on camera, but I am too excited to share. I think they are really funny. It was a great night.

This one is of Steven Acting out Robert Di Nero.


This is Alysa drawing a uni-brow.


This video is Grandma Jane acting out a Humpback Whale.


This is me acting out 'happy hour.'

10 Months

Wow, the time goes by so fast! I've gotten behind and I don't know how it happened.

I was talking to Jen Lanbeck (Michael's sister) the other day and she suggested that I blog more often. Not that I have to do a nice video every time, but just let people know how I am doing. I told her that I felt a little silly doing that because my whole day is just taking care of Ellie. It's an accomplishment when I get the laundry done. She said that's exactly what she wants to hear.

So, I got the laundry done, but it's not folded. Most likely that will get done another day... (sigh).

Michael and I have been trying to get our Christmas gifts done. I won't say what we are doing, but I will say that it's going to be fun.

8th Month Video

So, here is the video I promised. It's 4 min 7 seconds long, so if it takes a while to upload or whatever that's probably why. It's been so much fun being with her. I hope you enjoy a taste of our days.

Happy Halloween

Here are some pictures of us on Halloween. We were the 3 Amigos (from the movie).

New Video

So, this isn't the video that shows Ellie in her element. Sarah has been learning about photography and photoshop lately and this is her first attempt. As soon as we have more room on the computer we'll be posting that one. As a teaser, Ellie was listening to Music and the Spoken Word before church one day and 'conducted' the choir. It was so cute.

Trying to post

So, all is well. My back is great, Ellie is great and so is Michael. We've been trying to make another video, but we have too much on our computer. We have to archive stuff before we can finish it. *sigh* hopefully, we'll be able to post soon.

Problems

So, Sarah picked up Ellie Tuesday morning and felt some pain in her back. Then she tried picking her up again that afternoon and was out. We're sure it's not bone; looks like she just stretched out a ligament or some muscle. She's on the mend and should be able to hold Ellie in a day or two.

News!!!

Ellie has grown up in just one day. Along with the news of this video, Ellie also stood up in her crib! We moved the bed down for safety and she stood up in it this morning!!! It's a good thing that her legs are still a little too short to climb out.