Dance dance wherever you may be…

…and we will continue to dance too.

Mom’s chicks have decided to keep her blog going.

During the past week we re-connected with so many friends and family (who all loved the blog) and we decided that this would be a great place for Dad and the “chicks”, and mini-chicks (grandkids) to share memories, new happenings and celebrations. Since we all had to get back to our own homes we thought that this will be a great way for us to share and stay connected. (So, get ready for blogs from people other than Michelle). Yay!

I have to wonder if Mom didn’t know what she was starting…

Soooo…
Steve & I (Michelle) drove up valley yesterday afternoon (via Hwy 29). There was a huge rainbow around Hwy 29 @ Oak Knoll and it started to pour driving through Yountville. I wish I’d had my camera (as Steve offered to pull over multiple times), but I did have my trusty iphone so I snapped a couple of pics from the car. The rain, and the mustard…Mom would have loved it.

A little "shack" among the mustard

Rain & mustard

Celebration of Life

Dear Family and Friends,

There will be a viewing Tuesday, February 2, from 2-7pm with a Rosary service beginning at 7pm at Tulocay Funeral Home.

Tulocay
411 Coombsville Rd.
Napa
www.tulocaycemetery.org

Rite of Christian Burial (funeral mass) will be held Wednesday, February 3, at 10am at St. Apollinaris Catholic Church.

St. Apollinaris
3700 Lassen Street
Napa

We invite family and friends to join us for a celebration following the Mass of the Ressurection at Tulocay Reception Center.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Eileen’s name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, American Cancer Society, Justin-Siena High School in Napa, or Mercy High School in Burlingame.

http://tinyurl.com/EileenReillyRipple

…and she danced…

Mom passed away peacefully late this afternoon with Dad and family by her side. She gave it everything she had…not once giving up the fight. A week ago she went into the hospital and was always focused on coming home, but knew that she was in God’s hands and He knew the plan.

What a blessing the past week has been…all of the “chicks” came home and were able to spend time with her…something not every family has a chance to do. We know that this was “bonus” time because she already knew how much we loved her, and she us…but it was nice to say it one last time.

As of this morning she was still “in charge”. Over the past few days she made all of her wishes known and we all received to-do list’s. She even gifted each of the girls a room in the doll house for them to finish with Dad (Linda thinks she’s getting the bathroom and is already worried about the plumbing).

Mom’s blog has been so important to her. She was always thinking what to write about next…what the kids were doing, the garden, her adventures, and, of course, her scarecrow. Sharing her journey with all her “fans” gave her extra spunk on days when she wasn’t feeling so spunky. She so appreciated everyone’s comments and encouragement. She always read them and while she was in the hospital we read them to her. It meant a lot to her, but also to us to see how many people were sending good wishes and prayers her way. As a matter of fact, we told her yesterday that she had over 550 hits in just 3 days. She replied, “I don’t think I know 500 people!” She was just tickled.

My brother David sent this to us kids this afternoon and I just had to share it with you, because I couldn’t have said it better…

“Soon we will all be together again, just like Christmas, and we will celebrate the greatest Mom, Grandma, Wife, Aunt, Sister, Sister-in-law and Friend anyone could ever dream of having.  We will look around and I would say we all should be so lucky when our time here is up and God calls us home, but it won’t be lucky, we will all share that same blessing because that is who and what are family is.”

We’ll post the arrangements as soon as they’re finalized.

Best mom ever!

Mom’s “chicks” are coming home…

Hi – it’s Michelle again. Today both Christie and I took the honor of updating Mom’s blog because it is so important to her that those she loves, and who love her are kept informed.

On Thursday we admitted Mom into the hospital. After running some tests they discovered a blockage in her liver and would need to insert a stent to bypass the blockage.  Yesterday morning, Mom was prepped for her procedure, but during the assessment stage they discovered the cause was a fast-growing tumor and inserting a stent wouldn’t help. (Dad suspected as much). Christie and Dad met Mom in the recovery room where Dad delivered the news to Mom…and Mom understood exactly what this meant.  The only option now is more chemo, but it needs to be a chemo drug that won’t harm her liver.  Mom’s response: “I want more time”.  My God, can this woman fight or what?  She wants more time, so please God give it to her.  Since this was a fast growing tumor, we’re hoping it’s a fast dying one too.

She had her first dose of chemo this morning and the plan is for her to come home tomorrow.  The side effects shouldn’t be as severe as the other treatments, but she’ll be given another drug to counter-act the effect it has on her immune system. If it works, treatments will be once/week for as long as they continue to work and Mom wants to continue.  We should know the effects of the chemo within the week. I should also mention, that because of the decreased liver function, she no longer qualifies for the PARP trial at UCSF.

Even if we are lucky enough to see this treatment work, this is precious time we get with her.  She is alert, energetic and chatty…and she laughs easily and a lot. Her spirits are up and she likes receiving “healing” hugs and foot rubs.

So…Mom’s “chicks” will all be accounted for by end of day Monday. Her sister Sharon arrives Monday too. We are arriving sporadically…as quickly as flights and schedules allow. Not so much for “medical” urgency (though we do understand there is an urgency), but for our need to see Mom & Dad and to be here to support one and other. Our uncle Dan and aunt Jill drove down from Reno yesterday afternoon and stayed over last night too…and we took advantage of their shoulders. It gives us amazing comfort to be surrounded and supported by family and friends – those near and far.

Dad is our rock and he is hanging in there as best he can…It’s hard to believe any other family could be more blessed than we are…(I believe we ended Dad’s toast at Christmas with “we are the best family ever”)!!!!  Your prayers and love mean so much to Mom, Dad and to all of us.  Please…keep ‘em coming.

PROGRESS REPORT

No medical appointments this week except to get the H1N1 vaccine and I actually walked from the car to the doctor’s office. I also walked (by myself) around the backyard and got a good look at my beautiful new swing and checked out what’s happening in the winter garden. I feel badly that Bert has to do all the cleanup – it is usually a joint venture. I’m sure that he’s enjoying all that fresh air but..I think he is looking forward to the storms we’re supposed to get next week and be forced to do inside chores. At least he got “out” this week – book club Thursday night, Justin basketball game with the guys Friday night, and to his brother Pat’s birthday dinner Saturday night.

Paul leaves for Austin tomorrow to work on the Coen Brothers new movie – True Grit. It will not really be  a “remake” as it will follow the book more closely. Rooster Cogburn will be younger, as he was in the book. I think Jeff Bridges has that role but I’m not sure. He’ll be there about 5 months, which is why he and Jenn have been busy trying to get all – or most – of their wedding plans organized.

Michelle had quite a Saturday. Michelle & a “friend” might have made their 1st trip into the real world – Target and CVS. (In order to qualify for homecare thru Medicare I am only allowed to go church or the doctor/lab…so Michelle took a friend). I suspect that nothing lifts the spirits like a little shopping – especially the $1.00 section at Target. CVS is actually a legit stop for drug refills and I wonder what interesting things someone might see on the way to the drug section…

Brian and Nolan, Steve and Cindi’s eldest, are at an orphanage in Guatemala. No…they did not ship them off. They are on a service project through their high school, Brophy, in Phoenix. They are there about a week and work in the gardens, tutor, play soccer, etc – whatever is needed at the time.

Brian and Megan, both seniors, have received a number of college acceptances so they know that they will be going “somewhere”. I’ve heard that their siblings are just as excited as they are.

I have made a lot of progress but still have a way to go so….really appreciate all the prayers and support!

Michelle’s friend

THE PLAN….PROBABLY

Busy week and also made some significant progress. Took my first walk outside – about 100 yds with the physical therapist, took my first shower without the health aide’s help so discontinued that service, and am mostly walking around the house without the walker. (sometimes forget where I left it)…

Bert and I spent 2 hours at UCSF on Thurs with the physician, Dr. Hope Rugo, who is in charge of the clinical trial using a new drug that is showing promise in the type of tumors I have. (PARP inhibitors for you medical-types). It will require a considerable commitment on our part, requiring either 1 or 2 trips a week into SF for a probably 5 hr stay each time, but this drug is only available to participants in the trial. My local oncologists are recommending this too – and they and Dr. Rugo were all residents together at UCSF. I have a few goals to reach before we can start (walk a block, climb stairs, heal arm wound) – about 2-4 weeks. I’m probably going to start some easy exercising at  the gym this week (but no swimming). Unfortunately, these drugs have many of the same side effects of those I’ve already had so….I may have to get a second wig  just for variety and I’ll probably have to deal with these taste and other  problems as well.

Friday Bert got to escape from me for a few hours as he played golf with his friend George Monteverdi while George’s wife, Gisele and I visited and had lunch. We are not total hermits!

Had a nice visit with Michelle, Sharon, and Anna today and finished putting the Christmas decor away. They even repositioned the “scarecrow”.  I think he needs a new outfit (maybe a scarf and winter jacket) as he does look a little scary. Anna and Sharon helped Bert put the swing (that I got for Christmas) together. It is quite beautiful! They also got rid of the dead plants and re-decorated the front porch – it is very frustrating for a gardener to not be able to just “fix things”.

Actually, the weather is rather dreary and chilly – good weather for watching the football playoffs…Cowboys are winning – yeah Paul!!

Sharon, Bert, & Anna

My new swing!

Scarecrow – chillin’ out

Texans in SF

I recommend checking out Michelle’s blog (polkstreetandmore.wordpress.com) for a rather interesting perspective on “a day in The City”. Certainly was “entertaining” for her and she LIVES there!

Here’s to the New Year

This is the first year since I was about 10 years old that my “resolution list” does not need to include  “lose weight”!

Slowly but surely I am getting stronger and able to do a little more. Bert is still the “chief cook and bottle washer” but I can do a few chores as long as I pace myself – work an hour, rest an hour. At least I don’t fall asleep every time I lie down so now have gotten back to reading and doing Sudoku.

I am enjoying putting all the Christmas decorations away as I was not able to put them up and they all seem to have special memories attached – where we got them, who they were a gift from, who else was there when we bought them (actually you could replace “we” with “I” as Bert is not exactly a shopper especially for “doodads”.)

This is a busy week as I had a CT scan today and meet with the director of clinical trials at UCSF on Thurs. Should have some news re future plan within the next week or so and will share.

I have not spent much time outside but am enjoying the large number of small birds that seem to be roosting in  our birch tree. They twitter and flitter and bathe in the fountain on the patio. I don’t dare look too far outside as I know there is a ton of work to be done….the hydrangeas are looking really ugly and I DO want them to bloom next spring! I do think I have another month or so to work toward that..nothing like having a goal to keep you moving forward..

Hail, Hail, the gang was all here!

We had a fabulous Christmas Holiday! The O’Hares from The Woodlands, Texas, arrived Tuesday afternoon after surprising the kids with Monday at Disneyland. Michelle and the Bokampers from San Jose (along with the, world’s cutest baby girl) arrived after work on Thurs. The Arizona Ripples the Keller, Texas Ripples, and Paul and Jenn, arrived from Tahoe Thurs afternoon. (They had all spent a couple of days skiing/snowboarding).

Everyone pitched in to complete the decor of the temporary “dining room” and then were off to the 5 o’clock Mass. Fortunately, the space heaters worked well so we were all able to enjoy a leisurely dinner in a magical setting. (Pictures will be included). Thanks  to the generosity of friends, all families had a “home” to go to and Santa was free to fill stockings and distribute the gifts under the tree. Christmas morning was great fun with many treasures received and actually quite orderly considering that there were 26 of us! The Kropf family arrived from Sacramento about noon and the “secret Santa” gifts were opened. The key gift to Bert and I was a DVD presentation of “this is your life” with pictures from myriad family members of our family from our babyhood thru college, marriage, births and events in our childrens lives, grandchildren, up to the present. Michelle had engineered the project and our sister-in-law, Snook, put it all together with music and snappy captions. (little plug for Digital Diaries). The kids had a great time laughing at the hairdos and clothing, which we all know were quite stylish in their day.

The weather was very mild so the older boys challenged the Dads to a couple of basketball games (out came the ibuprofen), the younger ones played “guns”, football, or whatever. It was an absolute delight to see how much the cousins enjoyed one another – the age range is 18 to 21 months with about 1/2 over 13 and 1/2 under. Caitlin, at 21 months, had an absolute ball with all the attention.

Christmas dinner was another festive repast with a “Nutcracker” theme – again warm enough to linger and visit, reminisce, and enjoy one another’s company and all the treats. Again, what a joy to see the camaraderie among cousins, brothers and sisters, and spouses. How lucky we are!

Saturday, Bert’s brothers and their families visited and his brother, Joe, took marvelous pictures of all the families and of all 32 of us – he definitely needed his wide-angle lens!

What a very special time this was for us all to be together! It was a long way to come for some – especially for busy families during the Christmas season but it was most appreciated and enjoyed!

The garage…transformed!

The tree…after Santa

Opening gifts

The WHOLE gang!

Santa’s Helpers and Such

Santa’s elves have been very busy! Our house is beautifully decorated with most of the “treasures” I have collected over the years. (Definitely not Bert’s thing)….The interesting thing is that some things are displayed differently or in different places than I have traditionally done and they look fantastic! It is nice to have a fresh look at familiar stuff. When the “dining annex” is complete, I will include pictures cuz it is going to be amazing. Bert,Sharon, Connor, Anna, Emma and Michelle  worked on it  today but it won’t be ready til Wednesday.

I am getting stronger but still not able to do much. I have to spend a certain amount of time reclining on the couch with my feet elevated (to reduce swelling) so I have discovered Daytime TV! I have never watched it and hardly knew how to work the remote control (someone else in the household has usually been in control). However….I have discovered the Food Channel and Fine Living Network (primarily Martha Stewart). I think it is doing more for stimulating my appetite than the medicines I’m taking. I’m discovering all the chefs that everyone else has known about for ages. I must say that one of the most entertaining is “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”. I have also learned how to “record” and then “play” what I’ve recorded. Bert now has to share the TV and I’m not sure that he thinks that is a positive move, especially since my choices tend to  be programs which don’t particularly interest him like: A Charlie Brown Christmas; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, etc. 

Just to make sure that I am not totally “bored”, I have regular visits from the wound-care nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and home health aid.  

Our family starts arriving  on Tuesday and everyone should be here by mid-day on Thursday. We are all looking forward to being together – for the first time in 3 years!