2 posts in 2 days?

I know it's unlike us recently but Sunday seemed like a day worth adding another post for.

Jen's choir had a great concert this afternoon - Grandma, Auntie Cathy and Uncle Bob joined Kris and I to be entertained.  It's a busy time for the choir between this concert and an upcoming opera and as always they were fantastic (I know I'm bias but they really are great!)

After the show we went to Riverview and more family joined us to celebrate the February birthday boys in the clan.  Karen seemed to really enjoy getting out of her room and spending a few hours in the common room we had reserved - the kids had room to play cards and do puzzles and the adults could sit and visit.  Thanks to the unit staff for all their help (and the curling score updates!).

That's it for now. Thanks as always for all the love and support!
Doug and the gang

Therapy Dog(s)!

There's been quite a few furry friends coming through lately.  On Thursday, Rigby one of Riverview's many doggy volunteers dropped in for a visit.  Then on Friday, Carmen, one of the St. John's Ambulance therapy dogs cuddled up in bed with us.  But the best visit was today, when our beautiful puppy, Hope came for a visit!  She cuddled up with mom and then took up guarding the door.  Oh and did I say that Hope made friends with all the nurses that looked at her?  We all really enjoyed these visits!

Last weekend the three of us went off to Fargo and Albertville for some fun.  We got stuck in Fargo on Monday and ended up staying an extra night due to the blizzard.  We had lots of fun!  Thank you to our dog-sitters!  And to Lise and all the others that spent time with Mom while we were away!

Now it`s Dad`s turn to type for a bit...
Hi everyone!  I get to do the Karen update part apparently?  It`s been three months now since Karen went to hospital and as usual she exceeds expectations - I don`t think the doctors then thought she would do as well as she has but having said that she is steadily declining.  Today they changed the note about transferring her to the red one requiring a mechanical lift as she is not able to offer much support to the staff when they were transferring her with 2 people the last few days (when she got to Riverview in January it was the green one for a standby assist).  She sleeps more and is less talkative now but as one of the nurses said to me last week, when you spend time with her ``you really get a sense of Karen`s spirit and who she is and it`s clear that`s all still inside unaffected by the tumour, other than that it can`t always get out``  On that I should tell you that Karen and I were watching the noon news the other day and they were doing a story about Festival du Voyageur - they interviewed this man from the Festival and when his name came up on the bottom of the screen it was the same Icelandic name as ours!  Karen and I looked at each other with strange looks, she said in her normal volume (as opposed to the whisper she mostly talks in) some smart remark about Icelanders and we both burst into laughter!  The kids and I experience similar little bursts of Karen from time to time and they help make visits special.
Karen enjoys having friends visit, but not crowds or a lot of commotion in the room.  You won`t get a lot of conversation but you might just get one of those little bursts, or a look or something that you`ll recognize as typical Karen.

That`s enough from me - back to Jen...
I`m back!
So, thanks for all that everyone does for us!  We really appreciate it!   Thank you for taking Hope for walks, driving Kris and I to school, driving me to my many choir practices, visiting with Mom, bringing flowers for the room and bringing us meals.  I`m sorry if I forgot anything but I don`t remember everything (I don`t know if that`s good or bad!)

-Jen and the gang

Brrrrrr it's cold!

Yes it's January in Winnipeg but boy it's been cold this week!  The kids did not have one outdoor recess all week! (can you say caged animals!)

We don't really have much to update you on.  Karen has settled in well at Riverview and especially enjoys the nursing students that come Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday each week in January - Nicole and Cyle give her lots of attention which she loves and we really appreciate!

We've been seeing the effects of the progression of things, with Karen being somewhat more confused as the days go by and also feeling weaker - last week we walked down to the atrium room on the main floor but this week those outings were by wheelchair.  While some days she might sleep more than others, she still enjoys the company of family and friends.

As always, thanks to everyone for your calls, e-mails, thoughts and prayers - you have no idea how much they are appreciated!

I'm sure the regular blogger will be posting soon and will update you on winter camp

Thanks again
Love
Doug and the gang

The newest, bestest room yet!!

Hi everyone!!  Sorry we kinda disappeared again!

Mom was moved to a new room on Thursday, a room at Riverview.  She still enjoys visitors, but just not at her naptime (1-3ish)  The new room is great, i think it should be called a health-hotel.  It's got an electric, yes I said electric, recliner, a TV(yay!!!) and even a fridge! (great for stashing snacks in!)  It's much nicer than HSC and the food is way better than HSC. 

Thank you so much for all the flowers, visits, overnights and meals.  And thank you especially for the love and hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You won't hear from me for a few days because I'm off to winter camp with my school on Wednesday!(Lets hope for some warmer weather!) 

Love
Jen and the gang

PS To anyone that read the last post: you do not know I hurt my chin! (Thanks a lot Dad!!!!)

Christmas break

Seemed like time for an update and the young blogger has been busy.  On our last post we were heading off to pick Karen up for another home visit for 2 nights this time.  The visit went well for Karen but on Saturday, which was supposed to be the day the 4 of us got to spend at home together all day, there was a tobogganing incident at noon and after finding someone to stay with Karen and Kris, I was off to Children`s Emergency with Jen where we would spend 5 hours and leave with 7 stitches in her chin (I don`t think I was supposed to post anything about that but people need to know!)

The rest of the week seems to have flown by with a relatively quiet New Years,  a few playdates for the kids with friends and regular visits to see Karen.  Unfortunately we didn`t get another home visit in but will keep working on that for the future.

The coming week will see the kids return to school, me try and fit in some work and Karen enjoy a visit from another friend from afar (Moscow this time!)

As always, thanks to everyone who continues to do so much for us and all of those who keep us in your thoughts and prayers - we truly appreciate all the support!

Stay tuned for the return of your regular young blogger (and her response to my unauthorized posting of her medical information no doubt!)

Thanks again, love
Doug and the gang

Home for the Holidays!!!!!!!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!  We certainly did!  It was a bit of a different Christmas, but it was great to have Mom home. We opened our stockings and then went off to get Mom.  She seemed very happy to come home.  After lunch she went over to the sink and started doing the dishes!  Dad said that she didn't have to do the dishes but her reply was, "too bad"  Then we convinced her to go have a nap before everyone came for dinner.  Thanks Grandma and Auntie for the meal!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It was good!  Mom said she had a great night in her own bed.  We are bringing her home again later today for 2 nights this time! We are planning a fun movie night tomorrow with our new popcorn maker. 

Thanks for all the Christmas wishes, presents and baking!  We did manage to bake our favourite cookies 2 days before Christmas though.  Have a great holiday everyone, and happy new year!!!!!

Love,
Jen and family

Good news

Mom and Dad met with the doctor yesterday he said mom could come home on Christmas and stay the night.  Me and Jen met with the social worker today.  Hope will be crazy and happy when Mom comes home.  Tomorrow is the last day of school and my class is doing chapel, I'm a shepherd.  Me and Jen are looking forward to lots of Christmas fun at school tomorrow.  After that we have to finish getting ready for Christmas.

We will try to keep you posted.

From
Kristjan and family