We only had a month to go together...only we didn't know it. Lord knows, that I did not want to believe it - and would not accept it...
11/13/2010
Hello everyone,
Kim has now been at St. Joseph's for 3 weeks and 4 days...she had a sad day today, waking up anemic, which increases her difficulty breathing and increases her heart rate. Since entering the hospital on Oct. 19 for what she thought was routine gall bladder surgery, and finding she had adenocarcinoma tumors in her lung and her liver was affected, plus blood clots in the lungs and legs, she has had only one other sad day - she has been a rock. I helped her get cleaned up to help her feel better as we waited for the Dr's to make their rounds. Dr. Taetle, her oncologist, arrived first and ordered two more pints of blood and will have a chest x-ray taken tomorrow to see if anything else is going on that is impairing Kim's ability to breath (her oxygen was increased a little today to help things along). Dr. Bravo came to check on her and agreed she needed blood, and reiterated that this is what was causing Kim's lack of strength, as well as, the increased heart rate and forcing the lungs to work harder. He feels that the tumor in the lung is also contributing to the difficulty in breathing, and is hoping the x-ray will show that the bleeding has stopped in her lung around the tumor area. Once Kim received both pints of blood (last pint finished around 7 p.m.), she told me she felt much better. But, she still became exhausted and winded just getting to the restroom and back.
The bambini's had a fun day with Grammie and Grandpa Jim...I had left for the hospital around 7, so they fed the kids breakfast and came down to the hospital around 10:30. They left at 1 and went to Mama's for pizza and then shopping at Target. Then an afternoon of video games and Yahtzee! with some great dinner supplied by Suzanne Logsdon, a teacher who works with Kim at Rincon Vista (and thanks to Angie and Andrea for bringing me by fish tacos at the hospital and for lifting me up!!). Tomorrow, I'll take them by Viro's for breakfast and then to see Kim.
Father Harry stopped by later in the evening to pray with us and talk to Kim, providing her comfort (Thanks for calling him again for us Janene!!).We know that she will be stronger tomorrow and feeling better - and, we pray that her x-ray provides some answers and some good news for Kim, who really needs a break right now. Thank you all so much for your continued support and prayers - we gain so much inspiration and strength from you all!
My sister, Sherri, graciously sent Kim a t-shirt with a verse that helps:
And there are fireflies on it...Kimba's newest nickname...
Love, Dave"
By this time, I don't know whether I'm coming or going...I just want to help Kim. To give her comfort. To save her. And on the other hand, I know that the bambini need me badly - their eyes...look so lost, and they want their hugs to last forever...
It was appropriate that the day dawned with a gentle rain, on this, 11 months since Kim passed. The temperature was mild, and we all wore short sleeves to church this morning - seeing a rainbow, reaching across the desert, along the way...Kim loved a day like today.
As I walked the bambini through the courtyard at Our Mother of Sorrows, to take them to class, a figure stood in the center holding her umbrella - "Look kids, it's Mary Poppins." I told them and got the laughter I was fishing for - the raincoat Laura, religious education director, wore was a perfect fit for the character. She is so nice. She typically greets everyone in the courtyard on a Sunday, gets us all in a huge circle and says a morning prayer. Today, she stoically stood in a puddle making sure everyone knew where they were going...
Cody and I met Andrea and Lupe in church...Monsignor Tom read from Proverbs today:
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
One of those moments where I felt someone was trying to speak to me...
Mass was good...followed by a great breakfast at Viro's with Andrea and the girls. Lexy and Breanna came back to our house, to be joined by our neighbors Hadley, Mitchell,Alex and later, Janene's son, Brendon. I made Janene's recipe for chicken strips for dinner and Lexy, Breanna and Brendon stayed with us to watch movies.
It was a great day to keep on the top of all of the good memories, and not have a chance to get swept under by the cloudy weather...Thanks for carrying me today.
Love,
Dave
PS Today is the feast day of St. Francesca Cabrini, also known as, Mother Cabrini. She came here from Italy in 1889 and helped many immigrants establish themselves in the U.S. She was the first U.S. citizen to be canonized by the Catholic church.
There is a shrine to Mother Cabrini just west of Denver on Rt 70. It has a beautiful little chapel at the base of 300 steps and a gigantic statue of Jesus at the top. Kim and I once ran those steps back in the day (1990)...I tried to run them back in '07, during a snow storm and blistering winds...I did make it to the top, but it wasn't pretty...
I remember that e-mail so well...it was hard reading that Kim had a sad day those 11 months ago. Because of course Kim always put on a strong face so to know she was sad was heartbreaking : (
ReplyDeleteYou are still the bambini's rock just as you were 11 months ago!
Wow...what a great reading : )