All 4 in the sand now

Olivia

Olivia
Born into Heaven 12/19/2008

Nampa, Idaho

You were a miracle surprise that we hoped and dreamed of, lost too
soon to realize all that we had planned for you. Fly free little one
with your sisters and your brother. Until we all meet again our
precious little bean I know that you watch over us and are with us.
Chase the dragonflies and rainbows- Mommy and Daddy love you with all
our hearts!

On Death and Dying

My parents found out today that their 'second' child- their dog- Jessie has cancer. She has been barking more frequently, snarling, and even snapping occasionally the last few weeks. My Dad took her to the vet this morning because she wouldn't put any weight on one of her legs, yet she would still wag her tail and get up on the bed to be with my Mom who recently had surgery. Jessie was brought into our family the year dh and I got married- she is to turn 12 next month. She has been given a week to 6 months; my parents were given signs to watch for increasing problems that will lead to having Jessie die a more dignified death and to stop the suffering. Jessie is a beautiful black lab, the second one that my parents have owned and will be the last. We won't be seeing her playful tail wag when we come to visit, she won't go crazy when dh (whom she absolutely adores, and always has) shows up even if she just saw him 5 minutes ago. She has been given pain pills to make things easier-but it won't be any easier for the rest of us left behind. Dad set cremation arrangements and Mom has a box picked out. It has already been discussed that some of her ashes will go to special places that she enjoyed. We will have walks to remember and playful puppy memories- but I know that this is going to be difficult for my parents, especially my Dad who stays home during the day with Jessie- his best friend is going away- today I saw both my parents cry as they discussed the findings and the options. It is going to be hard for all of us- but we know when the time comes it will be best for Jessie as no one should have to suffer or be in pain. I believe that animals and children go to a special place when they pass on- so I know that Jessie will be with our Angels playing in the sunshine chasing butterflies and dragonflies. Playing fetch until she drops and have an endless lake to swim in- until we see her again she will be happy. I have been reading about Buddhism lately and I know that Jessie will have a good rebirth- she has made so many people happy in her lifetime. It will be hard to let her go, but I know that she will know when the time is right- she is a lady and will let us know when she is ready. Until then we get to enjoy her being with us and hopefully the pain meds will make it easier for her and she will at least be comfortable until it is her time to go and be with the Angels.

Our Sweet Henry Philip

Our dear sweet little peanut- today is the day that we lost you 3 years ago and yet it seems like just yesterday sometimes. We had so many hopes and dreams for you- until we meet again we love you with all our hearts.

Love- Mommy and Daddy

Continuing to get better

Mom is doing great! Went over this morning so Dad could run some errands and she is using the CPM and getting a bend at 110°! She is getting up and down better than even yesterday- at PT on Wednesday she got a measurement of bend while sitting in a chair of 94° on the left knee and 97° on the right- so she is doing excellent for someone who just a week ago yesterday had bilateral total knees done.

I am having a better day today emotionally- have a migraine that I took pain pills for- they are kicking in and I am starting to feel better, but a little loopy.

Will be going to archery practice tonight in Emmet at Clare and Ronin's horse ranch and then having a potluck afterwards with s'mores and everything!

Also found out today that my cousin Ann Marie graduated and passed her boards- so now we have another RN in the family!

All in all everything is going very good today.

Mom getting better!

Today is Mom's birthday- yes our Angel shares the same day. Anyway, Mom is starting to get around a lot better- she had her first PT session this afternoon and they said that she is doing as well or better than someone who had just 1 knee done- let alone both of them. She is starting to tolerate being up in a chair or sitting up in bed for longer periods of time, but she still gets pooped out pretty quickly. She has to go tomorrow to have her blood checked again for the coumadin levels- yesterday she was already pretty normal- her level was the same as mine was on Monday- but my levels aren't staying in the normal range like hers are- I am glad that she is getting better this quickly- makes me feel better- but is also reminding why I don't do adult nursing, it is just so much easier with the little ones- but I am getting stressed out and had a headache today which didn't help much- I am hoping to get some good sleep and tomorrow will be a better day for all of us.