Where to begin again? Two weeks ago my Mom was down visiting for a few days. On Thursday the 17th we got a call as we were shopping in St.George that Grandma Nellie wasn't doing well. A half hour later my Aunt Janet called to let us know Grandma Nellie had passed away. The news was bitter sweet. We were glad that Grandma was able to finally be reunited with Grandpa Lloyd and my Dad. But she will be missed. She was the center of the Hatch Family. Life won't be the same with out her. But we know she is happy and enjoying her time with loved ones. She finally is able to meet her Mother. The mother that died while giving birth to her. What a marvelous reunion that was! Grandma Nellie was an amazing woman and her legacy will live on in her posterity!
I would LOVE to say that Cole is doing well and getting better but that is just not so. He still is positive, upbeat and doing his best. He is now confined to his bed but makes the most of it. He studies when he is not sleeping. We have started reading a book together when I visit. I can't think of the name right now but it is the "Mormon" version of the Screw Tape Letters by C.S. Lewis. Chris Himerdinger wrote it. We are enjoying it.
Taleena is taking such good care of Cole and Aspen. I often wonder how she stays so strong. I know we have all been blessed with comfort and a certain amount of peace but she is with Cole 24/7 and I know it takes a toll on her. I think we are all trying to make the most of each day. Each day is a blessing. We all just keep waiting for him to start getting better. But for now his body is not showing progress. His right leg is starting to go numb as well. His organs are not functioning properly which causes grief, some times more than others. Two days ago he got a new apparatus to add to his collection, a sea-pap breathing machine. He wears his regular oxygen when he is eating and visiting, other wise (starting yesterday) he uses the new mask that covers his nose and mouth, it forces a lot more air into his lungs. My Dad would use his at night.
Going back a few weeks, when Cole was still able to get up and go from the bedroom to the living room, Duke went by to visit and Cole was in his suit and tie. Duke asked him what was going on and Cole told him he got a call from his good friend and neighbor, Jaimie. Jaimie needed a blessing. He got on his suit and he and Taleena went right over. Taleena sat behind Cole as he gave the blessing and was there to catch or steady him if he lost his balance. (They make a good team :) )
I am finishing up that book, What's on the other side? By Brent L. Top. I have gained insight, peace and perspective as I have read this book. One thing that stood out to me today was, as we gain more understanding of death we will better live today. When we see the eternal perspective it helps us want to live better today and prepare ourselves for the next life. Another good book to help with perspective and to face the adversary is, Putting on the Armor of God, by Steven A. Cramer. Great book, I need to read that one again.
Enjoy your day! Remember each day is a blessing. Our friends and loved ones, here with us and those beyond the veil are watching over us and helping us!
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
My days and weeks are running together. Things that happen a week and two weeks ago seem like yesterday. And at other times it seems like several weeks have passed.
Last week is a blur so I'll start with 2 weeks ago when we found out about Cole's last prognosis. On Saturday when we went to the temple we came back to Cedar and Cole received another blessing confirming what was said in the first blessing. This helped us regroup and continue in faith that he could overcome the cancer. A few days later Ethan checked Cole's oxygen levels and they were up.!! Medically this didn't make sense. The next day they had him turn off his oxygen for 1/2 an hour and then checked the oxygen levels again. The levels were still up!!
By the end of the week Cole started getting sick and vomiting about once or twice a day. But they changed his pain medication and we were waiting for things to improve.
Saturday October 5th Kjerstin was having a Birthday Party for Sophie. She is now a big 2! We all headed over to Enterprise to party! My Mom and Dad were able to come down and they beat everyone to the party and had some time alone with Kjerstin and her little family. Grandma Mary was a big help to Kjerstin putting on the last touches for the party. When we got there, after listening to the first session of conference, the party was just beginning. I walked in and went over to Grandpa Newell and gave him a hug. He didn't look very good. His color was not quite right and he was having a hard time catching his breath. He had just been up and was trying to get his breath back. I talked to him for a few minutes and then went to help Kjerstin with "duck , duck, goose". Sophie then started opening her gifts. Dad was still uncomfortable. We opened up the doors to get the air circulating and it seemed to help Dad some. He was able to relax a bit. Grandma kept asking him if he wanted to leave. He wanted to stay for a while but after a few minutes he decided they should go. Duke and Kurtis helped him out to the car. When Dad is having a hard time breathing it usually helps when they get into the car and get the air conditioner blowing on high then he is able to relax and start breathing better. This is what we figured would happen and he would be OK. As Mom ran back into the house to get her things and say good bye I leaned into the car and said good bye to Dad and he was feeling bad that he couldn't stay. I told him that he had done all he could and that is was good that he had been able to come. Mom came out I guided them out of the driveway and I waved good bye. Dad passed away on their way to Cedar. His passing was peaceful. He didn't struggle for air as he thought he would when the end came. This was a blessing for him and all of us that he was able to just slip away. Looking back, as hard as it was for Mom to be alone with Dad as he passed, she knows he didn't struggle and this is a comfort.
The next week is the blur. Getting ready for the funeral was comforting during the times we were reminiscing, hard when we had to face the reality of what we were planning.
As the viewings took place there was such an amazing amount of support. And even before the viewing many family and friends came by the house to give support and love and lots of food. :)
The funeral went very well. The weather was beautiful, a nice fall day Dad would have enjoyed.
To catch up with Cole... it is very difficult. Last year it was easy compared to this go around because I knew basically what his routine was, when he would be feeling really sick and when a few good days were coming. This is a whole new ball game. It is a real roller coaster. His lungs seem to be staying about the same. He seems to breath a little heavier now but he says they seem about the same. The hard thing to watch is that he is his left leg and foot are numb again. He has lost a lot of weight and he is very weak. When I get worried Cole tells me, "Mom, faith and fear cannot exist at the same time." So we are choosing FAITH!
Last week is a blur so I'll start with 2 weeks ago when we found out about Cole's last prognosis. On Saturday when we went to the temple we came back to Cedar and Cole received another blessing confirming what was said in the first blessing. This helped us regroup and continue in faith that he could overcome the cancer. A few days later Ethan checked Cole's oxygen levels and they were up.!! Medically this didn't make sense. The next day they had him turn off his oxygen for 1/2 an hour and then checked the oxygen levels again. The levels were still up!!
By the end of the week Cole started getting sick and vomiting about once or twice a day. But they changed his pain medication and we were waiting for things to improve.
Saturday October 5th Kjerstin was having a Birthday Party for Sophie. She is now a big 2! We all headed over to Enterprise to party! My Mom and Dad were able to come down and they beat everyone to the party and had some time alone with Kjerstin and her little family. Grandma Mary was a big help to Kjerstin putting on the last touches for the party. When we got there, after listening to the first session of conference, the party was just beginning. I walked in and went over to Grandpa Newell and gave him a hug. He didn't look very good. His color was not quite right and he was having a hard time catching his breath. He had just been up and was trying to get his breath back. I talked to him for a few minutes and then went to help Kjerstin with "duck , duck, goose". Sophie then started opening her gifts. Dad was still uncomfortable. We opened up the doors to get the air circulating and it seemed to help Dad some. He was able to relax a bit. Grandma kept asking him if he wanted to leave. He wanted to stay for a while but after a few minutes he decided they should go. Duke and Kurtis helped him out to the car. When Dad is having a hard time breathing it usually helps when they get into the car and get the air conditioner blowing on high then he is able to relax and start breathing better. This is what we figured would happen and he would be OK. As Mom ran back into the house to get her things and say good bye I leaned into the car and said good bye to Dad and he was feeling bad that he couldn't stay. I told him that he had done all he could and that is was good that he had been able to come. Mom came out I guided them out of the driveway and I waved good bye. Dad passed away on their way to Cedar. His passing was peaceful. He didn't struggle for air as he thought he would when the end came. This was a blessing for him and all of us that he was able to just slip away. Looking back, as hard as it was for Mom to be alone with Dad as he passed, she knows he didn't struggle and this is a comfort.
The next week is the blur. Getting ready for the funeral was comforting during the times we were reminiscing, hard when we had to face the reality of what we were planning.
As the viewings took place there was such an amazing amount of support. And even before the viewing many family and friends came by the house to give support and love and lots of food. :)
The funeral went very well. The weather was beautiful, a nice fall day Dad would have enjoyed.
To catch up with Cole... it is very difficult. Last year it was easy compared to this go around because I knew basically what his routine was, when he would be feeling really sick and when a few good days were coming. This is a whole new ball game. It is a real roller coaster. His lungs seem to be staying about the same. He seems to breath a little heavier now but he says they seem about the same. The hard thing to watch is that he is his left leg and foot are numb again. He has lost a lot of weight and he is very weak. When I get worried Cole tells me, "Mom, faith and fear cannot exist at the same time." So we are choosing FAITH!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)