March 22, 2011 - Aunt Judy update
Good morning everyone,
Aunt Judy's colon cancer physician's decided to halt the chemo treatments because her cancer has spread beyond her liver. Of course, the cancer hospital stopped after the chemo round was done (3/11). Hospice Homecare was called. They got her a hospital bed so she can be comfortable in the living room (their house is a beautiful huge victorian 6 bedroom, 3 bathroom home). She couldn't climb the stairs to go to bed (this has been since December). their last doctor appt stated that Aunt Judy only had a few weeks left to live. The doctor extracted about 6 lbs of water from her abdomen. This is all too much for my godfather to handle these days - he is crying every day (he is my ultra sensitive, good son-husband uncle). after losing my grandmother back at the end of October of last year and now his wife, my heart goes out to him. She does not want any visitors except for her brothers and sisters (there are 10 of them). They have been coming one at a time. A few of them came a few weeks ago and decided to stay at an area hotel. My mother and father have been visiting but only stay 10 minutes or less. She brings over chocolate chip cookies to my uncle and Aunt Judy's mother. Whats so heartbreaking about all this, Aunt Judy is only 60!
Uncle Jim said to aunt Judy's brothers that he is not responsible for Alice, Aunt Judy's mother. Alice is not our blood relative - even though she has been amongst our family for 40 years. I've gotten to know about 6 of the 10 kids throughout the years. Such a wonderful family. All the kids are extremely smart - most have PhD's, 1 doctor, 1 lawyer. No wonder Mark, Kaylea and Abbey (my cousins and their kids) are so smart (tops of their classes). Most of Aunt Judy's brothers and sisters live in Florida and Kansas. Im sure nothing will be decided about Alice in the next month or so but eventually one of them will have to take their 82 year old mother (such a sweet lady!). Mom told Uncle Jim not to do any drastic changes yet. I think he is hinting on selling the grand large house they live in and buy a 3 bedroom home for himself and the kids when they come home and visit. Whats hard is that my aunt and uncles large home was the major spot for the whole family to visit for holidays. Sometimes they would have about 20-25 people stay there. thats a lot. Things will change in the coming year.
I will keep everyone posted as I hear about Aunt Judy. I just hope she will make it past Easter - which is April 28. I've got her on friends church's prayer lists.
Aunt Judy's colon cancer physician's decided to halt the chemo treatments because her cancer has spread beyond her liver. Of course, the cancer hospital stopped after the chemo round was done (3/11). Hospice Homecare was called. They got her a hospital bed so she can be comfortable in the living room (their house is a beautiful huge victorian 6 bedroom, 3 bathroom home). She couldn't climb the stairs to go to bed (this has been since December). their last doctor appt stated that Aunt Judy only had a few weeks left to live. The doctor extracted about 6 lbs of water from her abdomen. This is all too much for my godfather to handle these days - he is crying every day (he is my ultra sensitive, good son-husband uncle). after losing my grandmother back at the end of October of last year and now his wife, my heart goes out to him. She does not want any visitors except for her brothers and sisters (there are 10 of them). They have been coming one at a time. A few of them came a few weeks ago and decided to stay at an area hotel. My mother and father have been visiting but only stay 10 minutes or less. She brings over chocolate chip cookies to my uncle and Aunt Judy's mother. Whats so heartbreaking about all this, Aunt Judy is only 60!
Uncle Jim said to aunt Judy's brothers that he is not responsible for Alice, Aunt Judy's mother. Alice is not our blood relative - even though she has been amongst our family for 40 years. I've gotten to know about 6 of the 10 kids throughout the years. Such a wonderful family. All the kids are extremely smart - most have PhD's, 1 doctor, 1 lawyer. No wonder Mark, Kaylea and Abbey (my cousins and their kids) are so smart (tops of their classes). Most of Aunt Judy's brothers and sisters live in Florida and Kansas. Im sure nothing will be decided about Alice in the next month or so but eventually one of them will have to take their 82 year old mother (such a sweet lady!). Mom told Uncle Jim not to do any drastic changes yet. I think he is hinting on selling the grand large house they live in and buy a 3 bedroom home for himself and the kids when they come home and visit. Whats hard is that my aunt and uncles large home was the major spot for the whole family to visit for holidays. Sometimes they would have about 20-25 people stay there. thats a lot. Things will change in the coming year.
I will keep everyone posted as I hear about Aunt Judy. I just hope she will make it past Easter - which is April 28. I've got her on friends church's prayer lists.
Replies
Thanks for letting us know what is going on. I am so sad to hear all of this. It sounds like your family is all coming together to help and that is so good... praying...
So sorry to hear this, Jen.....your family has lost too many this past year...I hope her passing is peaceful and pain free...
I\'m sorry to hear about this.
SO Sorry,jen. praying for aunt Judy-joanne
Hi Jen, I\'m so sorry about your aunt Judy. My heart goes out to you and your family. Big, big hugs.
Jenn, So sorry hun. Loosing a loved one is never easy. I will keep your Aunt Judy, her family, your family and yourself in my prayers. God has a way of bringing families comfort in times of distress and tragedy. It sounds like Aunt Judy loved to entertain others. The big house sounds small in comparison with her compassion for life and for others. I think it would have been grand to have known her and spent time being entertained in her home. It sounds like all who knew her were truly blessed . While it will be painful and always leaves an empty spot in the heart from the loss of a loved one. The memories of their life touching yours with all the pleasant and sometimes humorous memories can still bring a smile to your face, perhaps a few tears of joy mixed in with tears of sorrow at the same time. Knowing what to say and how to comfort others in times like these can be awkward & difficult. But knowing God cares and your family cares, your friends care too, it all does help.
Hugs & prayers Jenn,
Elta~
OMG everyone, thanks for the heartfelt wishes in regards to my aunt. She\'s not blood relative but I\'ve known her since I was 5! This all brings tears to my eyes. Love you all!
I\'m sorry to hear about your Aunt Judy. That is sad. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.