Pictures!!!

Before we left IN, a friend of ours took some pics for us! She is located in Churubusco (aka Turtle Town), IN. Her name is Doni Marlow and she is AWESOME!!! She takes color ones, plus black and white, then she takes the black and white ones and adds just a touch of color! One she showed me was of I think 3 different familes, but they had their kids pic's taken, they were all wearing black (or so I think since it was a black and white!!! LOL) and one of the kids was holding a sunflower and she had that colored in! It was SWEET!!!! Her website is:
jdphotobug.com
Check it out and check her out if you are in town!

Email from mom

Greetings to all on this Thanksgiving Day evening,

This certainly is an update that I would not have chosen to write. We all were hopeful that there would be many more days of celebrating holidays with family and friends on this earth. Herm was still 'fighting' this cancer on Sunday afternoon, November 8th. We as a family gave him permission to stop 'fighting' and allowed him to give his body the rest that he needed. He was talking and sharing his love for his family and friends up to the very end. Many, many tears of sorrow and joy were shared in that Preview Hospital Oncology room. Tears of sorrow, for the earthly life of one we loved dearly, coming to an end. Tears of joy, knowing that we will be reunited once again some day in our heavenly home.

Herm said many times after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, that we have had 13 years that we didn't ever think we would have. His heart attack could have taken him from us, but he was spared, and we have shared these past 13 years, seeing the kids marry and experiencing the joys of being grandparents. Yes, we would have preferred creating more memories and even watching the grand kids marry, but.........it was not meant to be.

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful that the Lord had our paths cross, and I had the privilege of learning to know and love Herm. Thankful for two beautiful children, two caring 'in-laws', and six wonderful grandchildren. Thankful for the many friends we have had the opportunity to share joys and sorrows with. Thankful for these past ten months that Herm was 'semi-retired' and we could share more time together. Thankful for being led to Maplewood Mennonite the week before cancer diagnosis and being welcomed with open arms. Thankful for Kris, Amy and the boys, Curt, Mandy and the children being home the week before Herm died, that we could share time together. Thankful for a caring, compassionate medical community that walked this journey with us. Thankful for medical insurance. Thankful for so many family and friends who have expressed their compassion and sorrow in our loss. Thankful for being upheld in prayer and continued prayer support from all of you. Thankful for the promise of a Heavenly Home that is prepared for all who believe. I could go on and on..............

Herms last words to me were "I'm going Home, I'm going Home". How beautiful to have that assurance and HOPE. There is HOPE and we are HOPEFUL.

Love and peace to all,
Carol

Is It Really Real?

Wow, what week! I know, I've started out like this before, but wow! Seems, I dunno, weird. We've been through alot this week!
Dad passed away early Mon morning, then Mon afternoon we went to the Funeral Home to make the arrangements, then Tuesday morning mom and I went to the grave site to sign some papers, then see where the actual site was at... Then Wednesday afternoon Chris and Samantha came to visit and we went clothes shopping because we had NOTHING!!!!!!!! Then we came home to eat, they left and Curt, kids and I went out again because we didn't get it all! Thursday morning Curt and I went out AGAIN because I didn't have ANYTHING for the funeral and he needed to get his hair cut, and we got an 8x10 pic of dad copied for mom. We had to be at the church for the viewing at 2 so we could make sure everything was the way we wanted. Got home in enough time to change, feed Thad, eat a few bites of lunch, and head on out to the church for the viewing.
Not something you ever wish you have to do, go see to make sure your dad looks ok in the casket and the flowers are the way you want them to be. We were overwhelmed by the flowers and who sent them! Dad's old work sent a flower arrangement, a cement bench with a saying and an afghan. It's all so beautiful! Mom said she was going to make a garden out back with the bench. It will look so beautiful!
Dad's casket looked awesome! I mean, for a casket! For those of you who don't know, it was Amish built. And looked like the old style casket. Kris (my bro) used to work for an Amish cabinet maker. (Infact, he built the cabinets in mom's kitchen) Also my Uncle Eli who passed away from pancreatic cancer had an Amish casket. The more mom thought, she wanted one. Now we all want an Amish made casket! It was so beautiful! And simple! Just what mom wanted and I know dad would've liked it as well! Dad looked really good, he looked at peace and gad a slight smile on his face!
Funny thing, mom forgot to give them dad's teeth. They say it's a good idea to bury the teeth with the person. The name of the person's teeth is on them, and they say if you throw them in the trash, someone can dig them up and then you can have a whole new set of probs. SO, mom didn't leave them at the hospital, just don't think about it, and then forgot to take them when we met with the funeral director. He said to just bring them and would put them in the bottom of the casket by his feet. So, dad's got his teeth in the casket! ;o)
It was a long day Thursday, but a good day. I'll write another blog of my thoughts and feelings... ;o) Friday, wow, beautiful service, and gave Susie the peanuts before she saw dad! Although I am bummed she didn't eat any before going up to the casket!!! LOL Will explain more later! ;o)
Today, just a day to bum around! Curt left tonite about 4:30, hard for him to leave too! Kris and Amy will leave early tomorrow morning. They were going to leave tonite, but it got a little late and figured it would be easier to leave bright and early tomorrow morning! I will probably leave Wednesday after lunch. It's easier to leave then that way I don't have to stop as much to feed Thad. Will feed him before leaving, then stop for supper, then again about 9:00 and hopefully make it home before he needs to eat again! Mom and Matt plan on coming out for Thanksgiving! YAH!!! Gonna be so fun, gonna so hard, but I think it will be good!!!
Need to get the kids in bed, will post another later...

Hotels..

For those of you traveling, here are some hotel options...

Also, if you go to Expedia.com and hit the hotel only, near street address, type in 7754 Saint Joe Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46835, you will come up with a ton from Washington Center Road. Also, their prices will be much cheaper! I think I saw a couple from 35 to 120...

Any questions, call us, e-mail, whatever! :O)

Hyatt Place Fort Wayne
111 West Washington Center Road, Fort Wayne, IN
(260) 471-8522‎


Marriott-Fort Wayne
305 E Washington Center Rd, Fort Wayne, IN
(260) 484-0411‎

Courtyard-Fort Wayne
1619 W Washington Center Rd, Fort Wayne, IN
(260) 489-1500‎

Fort Wayne Hotel and Conference Center
300 E Washington Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN
(260) 422-5511‎

Don Hall's Guesthouse Hotel
1313 W Washington Center Rd, Fort Wayne, IN
(260) 489-2524‎

Don Hall's Guesthouse Hotel
1313 W Washington Center Rd, Fort Wayne, IN
(260) 489-2524‎

Baymont Inn & Suites Ft. Wayne
1005 W. Washington Center Rd, Ft. Wayne, IN
(260) 489-2220‎

Days Inn - Fort Wayne
1161 W Washington Center Rd, Fort Wayne, IN
(260) 489-6556‎

Amerisuites Fort Wayne
111 W Washington Center Rd, Fort Wayne, IN
(260) 471-8522‎

Arrangements

We just got back from the funeral home.
Mom wanted the viewing on Wed and then the funeral Thurs, but it is going to viewing on Thursday from 3 to 8 and then the funeral at 11 on Friday. There will be a time to view and visit before the funeral starting at 10.
The viewing and funeral will be at Maplewood Mennonite
(4129 Maplecrest Rd Fort Wayne, IN 46815 (260) 486-2831)
The burial is at Coventry Memorial Gardens.
questions you can call us or e-mail...
Also memorials are going to Pancreatic Cancer Awareness (pancan.org) or Maplewood Mennonite Church.

He's Home!

Dad is now Home! I am not gonna lie, I am so very sad, but yet, part of my heart is oh joyful. Knowing he is ok now, no more pain, no more "they call me mellow yellow!", no more fluid filling him up... Mom called early this morning and we don't really even know for sure what time... He gasped for some air about midnite and then he told mom, I'm going home. Mom said that's fine honey, you go. You've fought so hard.
Then again later he said the same thing and then asked where we were and mom told them we were home and that it was ok, they told you good-bye and that they love you. He said, I'm going home. Then mom called the nurse in and the nurse came in, mom laid back down, the nurse took the stethoscope and then another nurse came in and checked him as well. They turned around to mom and said, I'm sorry, he's gone. Mom broke down, but we are ok. We are at peace. We know where he is and he is fine. Having the time of his life right now. I must admit, I am a bit jealous!
Will update when I have more info... Pray for my mom. She is doing good, but it's gonna be hard. We need to go to the funeral home later today and make the arrangements, and that is going to hard on her, all of us...

Sunday Nite Ponderings

What a day, but it's been a good one. Don't get me wrong it was a sad day too.

I got there this morning and got stopped at the front desk, just my luck, I am good at getting stopped there! ;o) So after 10 minutes of standing there and then calling my mom in FRONT of the lady explaining WHY I wasn't up there. Grr... This swine flu thing... Oh well, right?

Got up to the room and gave the stuff to mom so she could shower. She got in the shower and felt much better. Had some visitors off and on all today.

Kris came after lunch and after a couple of hours, dad told mom he wanted Kris and I over. So we sat there for the longest time and held dad's hand. Dad would squeeze our hands. It was so hard to sit there, but he was not in any pain! Mom would bend over and tell him it's ok Herm, you've fought so hard, you can just go to sleep. Mom then told him that Curt and Amy were on their way with the grandkids to tell him they love him and good-bye. She also told him that Aunt Martha and Matt were on their way as well. She asked him if he wanted her to call anyone else. She asked if he wanted Barry and he said yes. Then he said, I will try to hang on that long.

So glad Aunt Martha and Matt came as well!

One time dad woke up and mom leaned over to talk to him and he said I'm fighting. Mom said, I know you are fighting. Honey you can just give in, you've fought so hard... It's ok Herm.

Dad is still hanging on, he is fighting though, he always has.

I leaned over and kissed him and said dad, I love you. You have fought so hard and I am so proud to call you my dad. You are so tired dad, just go to sleep, it's ok. We will all be ok, we will miss you, I love you dad.

It's been a good day. It's been hard, but it's been good. It's so hard to see my mom go through all this! I still feel at peace, but I'm sad. I feel like I want to go to sleep, but yet I want to stay awake.

When we left tonite, dad's skin was cold/warm and clammy. He is not eating anything. He had 2 bites of orange jello this afternoon, and MAYBE 2 or 3 bites of egg this morning. He hasn't been up to go to the bathroom since 5am. Then tonite, he couldn't even really open his mouth when mom tried to take a small sponge to wet his mouth. He had been taking small sips of water all day, but then tonite, he didn't even want that. He can't open his mouth to sip from a straw.

He did respond to mom when she asked if he knew who was there and he said, I saw the mask. ;o) Bob and Jaime came over to visit them.

Hard to leave tonite, part of me wanted to stay and the other part wanted to come back here. I want to be there for mom. She is such a strong women! She's like super mom! (I even offered her my nursing cover to use as a cap, she didn't want that! LOL)

Mom decided not to call Hospice, we don't think a move would be good for dad, and not to be morbid or anything, but I don't think it will be much longer. I just pray he will go in his sleep, and not be in any pain. He hasn't been and pray it stays that way.

Thank you all for you support, love and prayers. We truly feel surrounded by the Holy Spirit! And as hard as this is, and sad, we know that God is with us and dad. We know he is going to a better place. I am jealous that he will get to play with my baby before I do up there! And Amy's too! But he will not be sick or in pain...

Dad is going really fast, I mean SUPER fast. Just talking with Amy and remembered that the day nurse said that he was going fast and it was a definite change from yesterday. We've talked to some other people and even some that came to visit have said the same thing. He was not really responding. I went over to kiss him and tell him good-nite and I love you and he barely opened his eyes. He didn't really respond to mom either, and he had been just 2 hours before...

I have no idea if any of this made sense and too tired to think clearly. ;o)