Birthday Fun

I have a lot more birthday pictures for you - but Amanda took most of those so you'll need to wait till she gets back to Rapid and edits them, don't worry - it doesn't usually take her very long :)

Mom is doing okay today - she got up and got a bath which made her feel better and now she has a quiet household which doesn't hurt either. All you can hear right now is the clicking of my keyboard. Peaceful.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers, we appreciate them from the bottom of our hearts.
And here's one to make you smile, Mom with her baby boy...

The Hope Corps Walk On

Due to slow internet connection please go HERE to see the pictures...

Any ways... Last night was Relay for Life in Des Moines Washington. I would have done anything to be there for it - but I am where I need to be ... which is here with my Family.

Mom had a good day yesterday - there were a lot of people around and she enjoyed the company very much.

Today we celebrate her Birthday with a picnic ... eventhough her Birthday is tomorrow technically.

Thanks Hope Corps for walking for Mom... she appreciates every step!

Lots of People Lots of Love

Every single one of Mom's siblings, her Grandchildren and Children were by her side at one point in time or another today.

She had a good day - awake, talking and happy.

She did sleep a little, but I think she'll sleep nice and hard tonight.

Thanks for all the visits....

Pictures of Highline Relay & The Hope Corps to come tomorrow!

night everyone,
a

Living Life

Here's a little something Aunt Kathy shared with me today... I thought It was worth a post. It makes me smile, and think.

Today has been a decent day, but each passing day is as difficult as the last.

"Living Life"

"Life is not a race - But indeed a journey.

Be honest. Work Hard. Be choosy. Say "Thank you",

"I love you", and "Great job" to someone each day.

Go to church, take time for prayer. The Lord giveth

and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean

more than pen and paper. Love your life and what you've been given,

it is not accidental - search for your purpose and do it as best you can.

Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you inspire to be.

Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them.

Some of the best things really are free.

Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming. Forgive, it frees the soul.

Take time for yourself - plan for longevity. Recognize the special people

you've been blessed to know.

Live for today, enjoy the moment."

By Bonnie Mohr.

Shannie and I could have used this as we stood in the birthday card section at Wal-mart trying to pick out a card for Mom. We were in tears, and in laughter.

Prayers are ALWAYS appreciated.

The Norm

She sleeps a lot.
That's the norm now days.
She keeps asking where Brenda is, I think she's excited to see her.

She's sick of us asking her to eat, asking her to take her pills asking her if she needs to go to the bathroom.

She just wants to sleep.

Thanks to the visitors today... Mark, Brent, Scott, Elliott, Don & Nick. So good to see you guys.

Love and hugs,
abby

Cowboys & Indians...

They've been running around like this all day... how could you blame them? heat of summer and they're having fun! Meanwhile - Mom's inside sleeping most of the day. She's doing okay and is still enjoying having people stop by.

Missy stopped by to see her and mix up some more medicine and some of her co-workers stopped to say hey. Other than that, Just us family!

Shannon and I have been working on digging through bills and making sure Mom's are being paid and things are running smoothly for her.

A few pictures from the week so far...

Mom with baby Alaina...
Our Prayer shawls from LCOOR...

Us Three Kids' shawls.

And I end with another of the boys... because I like Kye and T-roy's winky faces as they aim their "guns" at me.

Please continue thoughts and prayers - We really appreciate it.

Word on the street is that Doctor Horn reads this blog too... so, Hi Doc!

Mom's FAVORITE Nurses!

Kelly & Kristi have been Mom's Oncology Nurses for the past two years, and they have spent many hours together helping her heal, laugh, and tolerate Chemo.

Last night I got a phone call that Kristi & Kelly wanted to come for a visit. How often would you find nurses that want to come visit their patients after hours? These girls are wonderful and it immediately brought a smile to Mom's face to see them here.

They read the blog regularly and keep track of how she's doing right along with Dr Horn - I am constantly amazed how many people keep up with this thing.

They joked with her about not letting Missy (our Hospice Nurse) take their place as her favorite. Then again, maybe they weren't joking.

I don't think you can ever be replaced ladies, the love and care you've given our Mom over the past two years is unmatched by anyone. I can't thank you enough for what you've done and for helping us keep the humor when battling cancer gets scary.

You are a blessing to us, and most importantly to Mom. She will miss hanging out with you but probably not the drugs you administer.

We love you!

-a

Hospice and Prayer Shawls

It's been a pretty busy day around here.

Mom's hospice nurses came over to bathe her and get her vitals measured. Missy should be here tomorrow.

We've had lots of visitors, and Mom's really enjoyed having all of her grandchildren here running and giggling.

Nancy from the church stopped by and brought each of us kids a prayer shawl. They're beautiful! Each one is hand crafted by someone at the church, and they are blessed by the congregation during service. Each one is to represent God and our community hugging us in hard times.

Angie, Joe and family stopped by with the new baby, so Mom got to meet the two newest additions to the Nielsen clann, Jett and Alaina.

Jean with Hospice stopped by to drop off pamphlets and booklets to help us through this difficult time, and also brought us some tools to help the kids understand what's going on with Grammi. We're really loving all the support they give.

We're hanging in there, and appreciate all the love and support.

Thank you,
A

Nap Time at the Brink House

It's nap time here at the homestead so I thought I'd give a quick status report and share some photos from our past few days.

Mom woke at some point a couple days ago and really wanted her fingernails painted - so she let Erica pick out the polish... now she has iradescent green glow to her fingers. It makes us giggle

We've been taking turns sleeping next to her - the other morning it was Erica's turn. This picture kind of melts my heart ... just a little.

This is Shannon sorting out Mom's DAILY pill intake... oye vey.

And that's Missy... we like her.

It's been pretty quiet today, but pretty good.

Mom slept through the night, and only woke at 6 am to use the restroom - that's pretty awesome.

Pastor Tom stopped in and gave us communion as a family, there may have been a few tears during that one.

We are doing pretty well - getting along.

Sunday

My posts are getting less creative. Especially the titles. But the most important part is getting you all the "Deets" (details).

Mom had a rough night, she was up and trying to get comfortable about every half hour. She finally settled in and has been sleeping for a couple hours now, but let's just say it was a long night.

She's been telling us all sorts of goofy stories. Yesterday she was "writing tickets" and "mixing paint... Forest green paint" so, Wayne & Linda if you're reading this, I think she's still on the clock ;o).

The syringe driver seems to help her keep a more even pace, but we still tend to have some pretty long episodes of trying to catch her breath.

The door is still open for visitors, She may not talk a whole lot, but she does know you're here, and enjoys the company. I think she gets sick of seeing Me, Kathy, Shannie & Nani all the time... or maybe just us poking at her for pills, medicine, and washing times.

Her nurse Missy will be here tomorrow to help out some more. We'll be glad to see her - she's a breath of fresh air and gives us new ideas to make Mom comfortable.

Thank you for your continued love and prayers,
They mean the world
-a

Saturday

Mom is getting along pretty well with her new morphine driver, and she has been a little more alert this afternoon.

She's had quite a few visitors today and that brings a smile to her face.

Kris, Tamijo, Addison, Avery, Jeremy, Jayven, Kevin, Bentley, Rusty, Tammy, Linda & Wayne, thank you for stopping by for the smile :).

Love,
A

Momma's New Bed

Momma has a new bed! Right smack dab in the middle of all the commotion - where she likes it.
Her home health care nurse Missy stopped by today and we talked about Hospice care which Mom agreed to. Missy just walked back in to get her set up with her morphine syringe driver. It will help keep her medicated evenly and help her be more comfortable.

We're all feeling a little relief having the conversation out of the way, It's in Gods hands now, and really, always has been.
thanks for your love and support, and again, visitors welcome :)

Sleep over!

We've been having sleep-overs in Kathy's living room taking turns so Mom doesn't wake up without someone there. Grandma was the first shift of last night - then I took over.
Her hospital bed was just delivered, so she'll be way more comfortable than in her chair.
Thanks for the thoughts and prayers,
A

She screams for Ice Cream!

Mom's been having a decent day - sleeping a lot.
Her breakfast was ice cream with carnation instant breakfast - at this point we need her to eat what she will eat. For Dinner? Rhubarb pie!


Missy her home health care nurse was in today and is arranging for a hospital bed to be brought over so she is more comfortable. She loves her chair, but sitting up in a hospital bed will help her breathe more easily.

Visitors are WELCOME and ENCOURAGED - she really brightens up when someone comes and sits and visits with her - even if for only a few minutes. Tina stopped by to bring her a Rhubarb pie tonight and she was very excited! So please, come on over to Kathy's and visit. No need to call ahead, someone's here with her all the time. But if you'd prefer to call ahead - contact me, I'll get you a number :o)


Life is good, hard, but we're together.
All my love,
A

All Settled In for June

I got in yesterday afternoon around 1 and Shannie and Erica were at the airport to greet me! Momma really wanted to come with, but another trip to Sioux Falls this week was just not something she was up for.

We spent a lot of time hanging out last night and enjoying eachother.

Momma is doing okay, she's had a really rough couple of weeks, but seems to be still kicking right along the path. The morphine and adavan keeps her breathing a little normal, but makes her pretty sleepy.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers,
abby

Home again Jiggity Jig

I imagine that Mom looks something like this right now. Home in her chair... happy.

They pulled the chest tube this morning, and sent her home with some home oxygen.

So glad to have her back where she is more comfortable.

Dear Hospital, We wanted her home more than you wanted to keep her... so there!

♥ abby

Going Strong

There's something beautiful about being home with your Momma.
I spent the first week of the year with her, and it was the best. week. ever.
I haven't had a chance to blog much - I haven't been real inspired.

I do have to say that I'm pretty happy there hasn't been much news over here. Posting news here can have good and bad connotations, so I'd rather not have to blog than be posting frequently.

Mom is doing well.
She's continuing Chemo in hopes that it will zap some of the Cancer inside of her body.
She's pretty tired most days, but has been working only 30 hours a week (as opposed to her 45+ she has been working). She's been living with Kathy & Todd, and it's helped her exponentially to be around people, and not have to worry about heating that damn trailer house ($244 this month and NO ONE WAS LIVING IN IT).


We had an excellent visit, and I'm working on a little piece about my visit with her to Chemo appointment, her nurses are a hoot!In more news... Missy Sinner took these fantastic photos of us while I was there.
Thank you Missy... from the bottom of our hearts... Thank you.

Home Sweet Home

And tired...

We're happy to have her home :)