Bloggin for the Noggin

Last week was a great one. Not because Mom is doing better, or because we got good news from the doctor, but because for the first time in the nine-months Mom has been sick…all her kids and grandkids got to spend a week together and just have fun. On Friday, July 31, Emily, Jay, Matthew, Nicholas, Joel and Caroline all packed into one car and started their 17 hour trip to Florida. At one point on the trip, Matthew’s Facebook status said “Always, always, always, always, always fly to Florida!” They arrived at our house around 11 AM on Saturday morning and vacation began. They all shared a 2 bedroom condo just down the street from our house, which made it possible for us to spend lots of time together. We went to the pool almost everyday, went to the beach a handful of times, visited a museum with the kids, went to Downtown Disney, ate…a lot, took pictures, played games, played putt-putt, went to church for Joshua’s baby dedication, stayed up late, laughed and did our share of missing Mom in the process. Don’t get me wrong, we had a great week. Emily and I are trying very hard to keep things together. We want to make holidays special, vacations fun and time together happen as frequently as we can. I only speak for myself when I say that I spent quite a bit of time picturing Mom there with us. She would have helped us get sunscreen on the kids, pack snacks for the pool, wash towels after a day of use, soak up her share of sun, give input on where to go for dinner and enjoy Tyler’s ice cream with us.

Anytime you get a bunch of people together in close-quarters there is bound to be some not-so-fun moments. We had those too. But I am glad to say that they were few and allowed some time to talk about our sadness over Mom’s absence and our desire for closeness in spite of it.

All in all it was a great week. We all needed it, because we all still have each other and we need to stay close as a family, even if our family is not as complete as it used to be.

It didn’t take us long to realize that the term “vacation” takes on a whole new meaning when there are 4 kids ages 2 and under around! And by the end of the week we were already talking about our plans for another vacation together….a cruise! The best part is that we are hoping to go kid-free….any volunteers for child-care are welcome

Thank you to those of you who prayed for us while we were together. We love and appreciate you! I am leaving this Sunday, August 16 to go to Ohio for a week to help Grandma and Grandpa and hopefully give them a little break as well. Prayers for safe travels would be greatly appreciated!

Love, Lindsay

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Hello, this is Lindsay. I just returned (Sunday) from a quick 5 day trip to Ohio to see Mom and help Grandma and Grandpa.

Mom is doing slightly worse than she was when I saw her in May. Her appetite has decreased somewhat and when she does eat she doesn’t eat nearly as much. She doesn’t talk hardly at all anymore and has a far-off look in her eyes most of the time. It can be difficult when you try to ask her something and she won’t answer, or simply can’t.

There was one night when Grandma and I were tucking her in for the night and she hadn’t said anything to me all day. As I was walking out of the room I said “Good night Mom, I love you” and she said “I love you too, Lindsay” It was so good to hear her say that. I went back into the room to try and talk to her, but she didn’t say any more.

I was only there for 5 days and was emotionally exhausted by the time I came home, and I just have to say that Grandma and Grandpa are the best care-takers I have ever seen. They take care of Mom day in and day out, they have given up their lives to provide for her needs, they are so sweet with her, patient with her and work so hard to make her comfortable. She is their little girl and I know how much their hearts are hurting. Please pray for them. For physical strength to do what they do all day everyday. Please pray for our whole family to have comfort and peace. It is so emotionally exhausting to be battling this with Mom and to watch her get worse and worse.

Thank you all for your love, support and prayers!

love, Lindsay

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Congratulations to Matthew on his high school graduation! Today we were all able to attend Findlay High Schools graduation ceremony, and thanks to some wonderful friends and faculty at the school we sat right up front by the graduates. Matthew was able to walk right past Mom after receiving his diploma so she could see him. (pictures coming soon!)

Mom has been a very funny lady the last couple of days. On Friday night Dr. Schroeder, mom’s surgeon, stopped by for a visit and mom was cracking jokes right and left. She shared stories with him from her trips to New York City and Florida and was in a giggly mood all night long.

As far as mom’s health goes she is doing about the same as in the last update. Very tired and weak, but when she is awake is in good spirits and enjoys visiting with her family and getting kisses from her grandkids. 

Thank you for your prayers and sweet words. It is so wonderful to know that we are loved and are being lifted up!

Love, Lindsay

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On Saturday morning, Emily, Matthew, Spencer, myself and all four of our kids had the privilege to walk with Aunt Andrea in Relay for Life.  Aunt Andrea raised money for Relay for life and walked for 2 hours on Saturday in honor of mom.  The rest of us walked, or rode, for one hour.  It was a great opportunity to support mom and each other and to see that we are not the only one’s in the fight against cancer.  

 Lindsay 

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Hello all!

It has been a busy couple of weeks here in Ohio for us and for Mom. Two weeks ago, with the help of many friends and family, Mom was able to get out of the house to see Matthew and Nicholas perform at Cabaret. Then this past weekend she was able to be at Matthew’s graduation party and is was so wonderful for her to get to visit with friends and be there for Matthew’s special day.

The reason for this post is to give everyone a very honest update on how Mom is doing. When Mom returned from visiting my family in Florida she stayed at Grandma

and Grandpa’s for a few days until she felt like she had enough strength to stay by herself again. However, she was never able to go back to her house because she continued to get weaker. About two weeks ago, Hospice brought a hospital bed for mom to sleep in and with the exception of Cabaret and the graduation party, that is where she spends her days. As of last week she was still able to sit the bed up and feed herself for the most part, but in the last couple days she is even too tired to feed herself and sometimes is too tired to finish eating.

There have been quite a few of you that we have seen or spoken to that have expressed and interest in visiting Mom, and have simply not been able to yet.

And we just want you to know, that if you would really like to see mom then you should visit her soon. Please do not be offended when we ask that your visits with mom be short (5-10 minutes is really all she can handle) and that you call before stopping by. Please know that there might be times when she will simply not feel up to a visit, be responsive, or be awake. Because she is staying at Grandma and Grandpa’s, and that is still their home, we would appreciate that everyone be courteous with length and frequency of their visits. The phone number at Grandma and Grandpa’s house is (419) 424-3732, please call only if you are hoping to stop by, Mom is not able to hold phone conversations. We will continue to post updates on this blog, thank you for your understanding and love.  

The greatest way that you can help is simply to pray for our family. Pray for physical strength for those who are involved in taking care of mom (especially Grandma and Grandpa who are taking care of her 24 hours a day) Pray for comfort and peace for those of us that are losing a mom, a daughter, a sister, a Mimi and a friend. Pray for our brothers, Matthew and Nicholas for guidance, and that they will learn to trust the Lord with their lives.

Sometimes when I am just sitting around thinking about everything it all just seems so unfair, untimely, and unnecessary. I think about all the special moments that Mom will miss…graduations, weddings, babies, birthdays, vacations, performances and all the everyday things.

 But I know that God’s timing is not my timing. I find comfort in knowing that someday I will get to look back over God’s plans I will see why things happened and I will know that it was all for His glory and purpose. I continually remind myself that this life on earth is but a vapor, and that eternity is forever, and I have the promise of eternity with Jesus. Our mom loves the Lord and we know that she has the promise of eternal life…life without cancer, life with a body that will never fail, life without heartache, life without worry.

I cannot say how much our family appreciates your continued prayers, cards, words of encouragement and meals that have been provided. You all have been the greatest blessing to us.

Much love and appreciation,
Emily, Lindsay, Matthew, Nicholas, Jay, Spencer, Joel, Andrew, Caroline and Joshua

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Friends and Family
I know that it has been quite some time since we have updated you and we are long overdue. All of us would like to thank you so much for your continued support and endless prayers that have been lifted to the Throne of God on behalf of our family and our mom. As you can see from the last post we have a sweet little addition to our family, Joshua Stephen. Mom, grandma, grandpa and the boys made the journey down to Florida to meet this new precious boy and celebrate big brother, Andrew’s, first birthday over the boys spring break.  Mom of course loved being in the warmth of the Florida sun and spending time with Lindsay, Spencer and the boys and their extended family.

Lindsay will be here on Thursday with Andrew and Joshua to begin the festivities that come along with Matthew being a senior. Matthew has his final performance with FFE this weekend with Cabaret which is bittersweet for all. Mom has really been blessed to watch both Matthew and Nicholas perform on the stage together throughout the year. Then next weekend we have Matthew’s graduation party (22nd)  and the following weekend is graduation! It does not seem possible that my “little” brother should be graduating and beginning this new adventure in his life. He is so excited to be  attending ONU in the fall and can’t stop talking about it!

Nicholas is wrapping up his sophomore year in high school and is looking forward to spending a lot of time on the golf course (I wonder where he gets that from…???)  and is hoping to find a summer job to make a little bit of spending money He is turning into quite the young man!

We ask that you continue to pray for mom and our family.

Emily

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Just a note to let you know I think of you often!  Bet you are looking forward to Matthews graduation and celebrating all his successes and his future.  Sounds like he is all set to start college and he must have been a great student getting a full ride his 1st year.  Doesn’t surprise me, me must take after MOM. : )   Looking forward to seeing  you soon.    Cindy

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A new blessing has come into our family.  Lindsay and Spencer welcomed in Joshua Stephen Blunden early Monday morning a 12:58 AM, he weighed 7lbs 1oz and was 19-inches long.  Pictures can be found here

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Hello Everyone!

This Thursday through Sunday, Mom, Grandma and Emily will be heading to New York City with the boys and FFE for their big show choir competition. Mom has been doing well but would appreciate extra prayers for energy and an enjoyable time! Mom and Grandma are a little hesitant about traveling to big ol’ NYC, so please pray for safety as well! 

Thank you for all your continued support! 
Lindsay

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9 Responses to “Asking Boldly”

1. Kim Hamilton
   February 20th, 2009 at 3:58 pmLindsay I saw this on the evening news last night. It looks promising. This is so encouraging. I will pray that you are able to get into this experimental treatment Beth.
2. Stephanie Kramer
   February 21st, 2009 at 12:20 amBeth & family,
   I’m so glad to hear that you’re feeling better and have some exciting things coming up! I continue to lift you up in my daily prayers and know that you are in the loving arms of the father.
   Keep the faith! You are loved by so many people!!!!!!!
   Love, Stephanie
3. Jennifer Koch
   February 23rd, 2009 at 8:04 amI saw this too. What great encouraging news. I pray that you can do this and the treatment works. God is so good and He is in control. Praying daily for you and your family.
4. Teresa Humphrey
   February 23rd, 2009 at 7:15 pmHave you contacted the RN at Cleveland Clinic as they are enrolling patients for the clinical trails….
   • Patients are currently being enrolled at the following institutions:

   Cleveland Clinic

   Gene Barnett, M.D., F.A.C.S
   Principal Investigator
   Director, Brain Tumor &
   Neuro-Oncology Ctr

   Cleveland Clinic – R20
   9500 Euclid Avenue
   Cleveland, Ohio 44195

   Contact: Carol Patton, RN
   216-445-1067
   pattonc@ccf.org

   University Hospitals
   Case Medical Center

   Andrew E. Sloan, M.D., F.A.C.S.
   Principal Investigator
   Director, Brain Tumor &
   Neuro-Oncology Ctr

   University Hospitals Case Medical Center
   11100 Euclid Avenue, Han 524
   Cleveland, Ohio 44106

   Contact: Dawn Diorio, RN
   216-983-5167
   Dawn.Diorio@UHhospitals.org

5. Teresa Humphrey
   February 23rd, 2009 at 7:20 pmhttp://www.monteris.com/clinicalTrials.htm

   The above link is where I found the info in my last post, you may or may not have seen it . If you have great if not check it out. Praying God will direct you in the way you should go…. Keep strong in the Lord!!!

   Teresa

6. Schutz’s
   February 25th, 2009 at 8:08 amBeth and family we are continuing to pray for all of you. Know you have many people out here thinking of you and praying on your behalf. God is all holy and all powerful. He is the creator, maker and caretaker of all things!! You are in His hands.

   God Bless!

7. Pam Zimmerly-Brodman
   February 25th, 2009 at 9:10 amBeth

   I continue to pray for you and for your strength to fight this battle. I know people have probably been making all sorts of suggestions, but Jeff’s brother had brain tumors and he went down to Cincinnati and had some sort of “seeds” planted at the base of his neck in the brain stem and hasn’t had any tumors since then. Guess it’s supposed to prevent the cancer cells from getting through.

   Please know that you are a true inspiration to me through your faith in our lord. You are a true living testimony to the love and saving power of God. You have passed this legacy on to your children through demonstrating and teaching them of his love. Your legacy will last for generations to come.

   I pray for you to feel Gods loving arms around you comforting you during these challenging times.

8. Crystal
   February 27th, 2009 at 8:49 amBeth
   I think of you often and am praying for you. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless you and strengthen you as you go through this. Know that He is using you and your family to bless many people.
9. Wendy Foulke
   February 28th, 2009 at 11:13 pmBeth…..I wanted to tell you that I continue in prayer for you. I miss you and love you. Lindsay, I appreciate these posts so much and your updates on prayer requests. Praying for you all, Love, Wendy

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