Well Spring break and Easter are behind us but it's still looking and feeling pretty wintery around here! Hopefully the warm weather is coming soon - we've even bought new rubber boots for the kids before we need them...what's with that?
We don't have much to update about Karen - the last couple of weeks have been pretty stable, with lots of nap time, a reasonable appetite (bring a smoothie if you are visiting around a meal time - she always liked her dairy and fruits and nothing has changed that way!) and while she's not that expressive, she still gives you a sense of her mood or feelings on things from time to time.
We had a pretty full spring break. The kids went downhill skiing for the first time at Frostfire and loved it - after a 1 1/2 hour lesson they were loose on the hill and had a great time - other than us and the friends who joined us there weren't many people so we got in lots of skiing with no crowds (and the old guy who hadn't skied since he became a Dad actually did OK too and could walk the next day!). I sense a mountain vacation in our future.
We also ventured out to Moose Jaw for a couple of days of mineral pool swims and exploring the Tunnels (didn't see Al Capone but got a sense of what it was like to be a Chinese immigrant). Thanks to those who visited Karen while we were away and to our dog sitters who pampered Hope!
Finally we made it to church on Easter Sunday, after the successful morning egg hunt - we haven't made it there for a while and it was nice to rejoin that community of friends to celebrate Easter.
That's about it for now. First day of school and work is behind us and we're settling back into our routine - more swimming starts soon, choir is gearing up for Tour and the season ending concerts and I seem to have lots of meetings on my calendar.
Stay tuned and we'll try and update you again soon
Happy Easter to everyone, thanks again for everything you do for us and for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers
Love
Doug and the gang
Monday, April 1, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
It's been a while
After 2 posts in 2 days another long gap - sorry about that
It's been a busy few weeks and we are heading into spring break and hopefully spring (but not by the look of today!) so here's a quick recap:
Karen continues to hang in there but the decline keeps happening. She sleeps more as the days go by and eating is becoming a lot more work. She's now on a soft food diet and drinks thickened fluids. When doing the selections on the next menu Jen told me they had minced toast?!? Really? (we didn't pick that one). The staff at Riverview continue to amaze me with their care and compassion and take such good care of her. Karen hasn't gotten out of bed for a while now but they tend to her every need (and ours too!). Today I helped them remove Karen's ring - it had been tight for over a year and a half and she was determined that it wouldn't be cut off so since she's been in hospital a few have tired to take it off without success. We've all been watching it and this week's nurse was concerned so they found the best techniques among the staff and iced her finger and we tired a couple - the second one worked like a charm and didn't seem to even hurt much. I told her she couldn't get rid of me that easily but I'm sure her finger will be much more comfortable. (if you are having trouble with your rings and have some dental floss I can help!). Other than a little hiccup flushing her port a cath last week (which was also successfully resolved) things have otherwise been pretty quiet.
We were happy to have a visit a couple of weeks ago from a good friend from Montreal. It was great to see her and I know Karen enjoyed all the attention. The wonderful thing about this not at all wonderful journey is reconnecting with and visiting with many dear friends - thanks to everyone!
We've also been busy with a variety of other activities
- Jen's opera with the Chamber Orchestra was a huge success (even her brother admitted to liking it) and the Free Press reviewer gave it 4 stars out of 5!
- both kids got great report cards and parent teacher conferences
- Jen successfully completed another swimming level
- Kris has gotten himself invited to yet another Jets game (#3) (and Dad's just getting to his first of the season this week)
- Hope made another visit to Riverview without incident
That's probably enough to bring you up to date. We'll try to keep you up to date. In the meantime thanks for all the love and prayers you keep sending our way - you have no idea how much it means to us!
Love
Doug and the gang
It's been a busy few weeks and we are heading into spring break and hopefully spring (but not by the look of today!) so here's a quick recap:
Karen continues to hang in there but the decline keeps happening. She sleeps more as the days go by and eating is becoming a lot more work. She's now on a soft food diet and drinks thickened fluids. When doing the selections on the next menu Jen told me they had minced toast?!? Really? (we didn't pick that one). The staff at Riverview continue to amaze me with their care and compassion and take such good care of her. Karen hasn't gotten out of bed for a while now but they tend to her every need (and ours too!). Today I helped them remove Karen's ring - it had been tight for over a year and a half and she was determined that it wouldn't be cut off so since she's been in hospital a few have tired to take it off without success. We've all been watching it and this week's nurse was concerned so they found the best techniques among the staff and iced her finger and we tired a couple - the second one worked like a charm and didn't seem to even hurt much. I told her she couldn't get rid of me that easily but I'm sure her finger will be much more comfortable. (if you are having trouble with your rings and have some dental floss I can help!). Other than a little hiccup flushing her port a cath last week (which was also successfully resolved) things have otherwise been pretty quiet.
We were happy to have a visit a couple of weeks ago from a good friend from Montreal. It was great to see her and I know Karen enjoyed all the attention. The wonderful thing about this not at all wonderful journey is reconnecting with and visiting with many dear friends - thanks to everyone!
We've also been busy with a variety of other activities
- Jen's opera with the Chamber Orchestra was a huge success (even her brother admitted to liking it) and the Free Press reviewer gave it 4 stars out of 5!
- both kids got great report cards and parent teacher conferences
- Jen successfully completed another swimming level
- Kris has gotten himself invited to yet another Jets game (#3) (and Dad's just getting to his first of the season this week)
- Hope made another visit to Riverview without incident
That's probably enough to bring you up to date. We'll try to keep you up to date. In the meantime thanks for all the love and prayers you keep sending our way - you have no idea how much it means to us!
Love
Doug and the gang
Sunday, February 24, 2013
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
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
Saturday, February 23, 2013
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
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
Friday, January 25, 2013
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
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
Monday, January 14, 2013
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!!!!)
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!!!!)
Saturday, January 5, 2013
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
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
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