Hi Everyone,
We're making progress. We did take the wheelchair (borrowed from Eva) to the oncologist but he didn't always use it..We'll be getting a lighter weight one soon..to save my back...I spent some time at the nearby Walmart while he had his chemo which was a nice respite for me.
6-8 p.m. or Weekends seem to be the best times for phone calls. Otherwise we seem to be on the phone with nurses, doctors, caregivers, etc.
15-30 minute visits are the best at this time as he's still quite weak. We love all of you but he still needs to rest and is somewhat afraid of germs.
The visiting angels told me to get gift cards from Publix, Walmart, and Walgreens in case people had to shop for me. I thought that was a good idea so that's done...might be an idea for one of you sometime.
love to all, Kay
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Update June 28, 2010
I think we're at about day 54 since the first surgery.
This is chemo week. Neil had to go in a wheelchair because of major pain in his legs. Salvadore, our PT expert is giving him bed exercises and Neil is trying much more than before. The cuminin ranges can't decide where to be. One day it was 4.8 and another 1.7. It's suppose to be between 2 and 3.
The strangest food desires are happening. I think he might be pregnant as one day he wants Orange Juliuses; another olives and V8 juice!!!
Take care of yourselves!! Thanks to all. Neil and Kay
This is chemo week. Neil had to go in a wheelchair because of major pain in his legs. Salvadore, our PT expert is giving him bed exercises and Neil is trying much more than before. The cuminin ranges can't decide where to be. One day it was 4.8 and another 1.7. It's suppose to be between 2 and 3.
The strangest food desires are happening. I think he might be pregnant as one day he wants Orange Juliuses; another olives and V8 juice!!!
Take care of yourselves!! Thanks to all. Neil and Kay
Friday, June 25, 2010
Update June 25, 2010
Salvadore arrived at 8:30 a.m. to give Neil some physical therapy. I think it's going to help. He showed him many things he could do in bed and Neil has started to do them. He also suggested a carry around oxygen bag which we will check on.
Salvadore will come 3x next week so we can get this ball rolling. It will be busy days with PT, bathing and chemo on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
There has been a change in attitude and desire to do both physical therapy and occupational therapy, even on his own.
Please pray that we can get his strength built up and that his attitude will continue to improve.
love to all, Kay
Salvadore will come 3x next week so we can get this ball rolling. It will be busy days with PT, bathing and chemo on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
There has been a change in attitude and desire to do both physical therapy and occupational therapy, even on his own.
Please pray that we can get his strength built up and that his attitude will continue to improve.
love to all, Kay
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Update June 24, 2010
It's hard to believe all of this started two months ago and our lives changed so drastically. On Wednesday Dean's family left for home after helping us out so much. Papa will really miss all of the tickles.
That afternoon we had a difficult visit to the oncologist. Because Neil has a hard time breathing it took awhile to get into the office. The oncologist took his blood and checked everything out. Then the news....the only way he can get better is to buck up...walk and eat...even when it hurts or he doesn't like it. The oncology nurse gave us Ensure and a product called Juven...to order on line. He tried the sample and liked it so we hope that too will help. I ordered 60 packets so it better be good. The Physical Therapist will start tomorrow to encourage the walking!!!!
Carice, our visiting angel, started today and will help me on Thursdays and Sundays for four hours each with laundry,dishes, encouraging Neil,etc. We both like her and hope she likes us.
Wish us luck!! More prayers are needed or he will wilt in the bed. We are both taking anxiety pills to get through these major changes. My advice to you is to get a colonoscopy and to live life to the fullest since we never know what/when life will change. I'm still very positive and working on Neil to be the same. Being positive and having faith got us through three cancers and now we're working on the fourth.
love, Kay
That afternoon we had a difficult visit to the oncologist. Because Neil has a hard time breathing it took awhile to get into the office. The oncologist took his blood and checked everything out. Then the news....the only way he can get better is to buck up...walk and eat...even when it hurts or he doesn't like it. The oncology nurse gave us Ensure and a product called Juven...to order on line. He tried the sample and liked it so we hope that too will help. I ordered 60 packets so it better be good. The Physical Therapist will start tomorrow to encourage the walking!!!!
Carice, our visiting angel, started today and will help me on Thursdays and Sundays for four hours each with laundry,dishes, encouraging Neil,etc. We both like her and hope she likes us.
Wish us luck!! More prayers are needed or he will wilt in the bed. We are both taking anxiety pills to get through these major changes. My advice to you is to get a colonoscopy and to live life to the fullest since we never know what/when life will change. I'm still very positive and working on Neil to be the same. Being positive and having faith got us through three cancers and now we're working on the fourth.
love, Kay
Update June 23, 2010
On Wednesday, June 23 we went to the oncologist. Neil was very weak and out of breath. He has had a pain in his leg for a few days and has been afraid to walk. The grandchildren were here and showered him with "tickles" but even that did not brighten his spirits.
The oncologist checked everything out and proclaimed all was well. He basically said that Neil has to walk and eat if he wants to get better. Today a physical therapist will arrive to get that started. Hopefully this is what he needs. Also the Visiting Angels will come today to get started helping me so I am not so tired all of the time.
I have my shoppers busy...Gilliams bought a scales so we can keep track of his weight. Carolyn is buying a sunscreen for the car so it will be cooler when we go out to the doctors. I don't know what I would do without family and friends. Thanks to all of you.
love, Kay
The oncologist checked everything out and proclaimed all was well. He basically said that Neil has to walk and eat if he wants to get better. Today a physical therapist will arrive to get that started. Hopefully this is what he needs. Also the Visiting Angels will come today to get started helping me so I am not so tired all of the time.
I have my shoppers busy...Gilliams bought a scales so we can keep track of his weight. Carolyn is buying a sunscreen for the car so it will be cooler when we go out to the doctors. I don't know what I would do without family and friends. Thanks to all of you.
love, Kay
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Neil's Summer Fun
Now that summer's here, it's time to prepare for the grandchildren to spend some time out here in the country. Prepare? What's there to prepare for? It's all right here, ready to entertain, thrill and learn. No batteries required!
Back in the 1950s, when Neil and I found our chores and music lessons all done, we had lots of time to play. There were infinite joys outside, just waiting to be discovered. Here are a few of our low tech treats that entertained us for hours:
1. Snake Hunts -- Neil was in charge of the hunt, but I got to hold the tail as he measured each catch.
The record, as I recall was a 60-inch black snake. A fearsome dude who was surprisingly warm to the touch. This being a "catch and release" sport, it was fun to watch these characters slither back to the swamp. We'll never really know how one of the big guys managed to find his way into the basement and scare the livin' daylights out of our mother. . . when she stepped on him with her bare feet.
2. Treasure Hunts -- These would take hours as well. First, we'd find great rocks, some resembling precious gems, some we'd paint with Mother's gold paint that she always seemed to have on hand. We'd place them in one of Grandpa Gilmer's old cigar boxes, then bury them all over the place. Then, came the Great Treasure Maps. Whether by chance or design, I never seemed to find Neil's buried treasures. I'm still looking as I dig new gardens and plant new flowers. Someday, someone will discover the remnants of what probably sparked Neil's interests in geology and navigation.
3. Great Gun Fights -- Cap guns and squirt guns were the only outdoor toys I really remember having, other than bikes, croquet and badminton. But, boy, did we ever make the most of darting around trees, rocks, making awesome ricochet (sp?) sounds. Staging get-aways and ambushes. As years progressed, we took turns at bagging pesky sparrows and starlings, often on the wing with a BB gun, then a.22 rifle. (our eyesight was better then.)
4. Rainy Day Movies -- We'd empty a box of corn flakes, poke a hole on the edge, then place it on a pointed bedpost to create an instant Cecil B. DeMille Movie Camera! It would turn 360 degrees for great panoramic scenes as we'd take turns as cameraman/director, then actor. Sure wish we'd had real video tape (or a modern phone) to see just how great we were at improv. (ha)
5. The Creek -- Infinite hours of entertainment were offered up by Morgan Creek. Swimming, raft making, frog hunting, fishing, leach removal, and fascinating discovery.
Somehow, I doubt our Meredith will approve of all this good, clean fun for her girls. But, maybe if they wear all their headgear, knee and elbow pads, surgical gloves and wet suits, they'll survive. Then, I'll let them drink from the garden hose, rather than their purified water bottles. . . just for fun.
Mary Anne
Back in the 1950s, when Neil and I found our chores and music lessons all done, we had lots of time to play. There were infinite joys outside, just waiting to be discovered. Here are a few of our low tech treats that entertained us for hours:
1. Snake Hunts -- Neil was in charge of the hunt, but I got to hold the tail as he measured each catch.
The record, as I recall was a 60-inch black snake. A fearsome dude who was surprisingly warm to the touch. This being a "catch and release" sport, it was fun to watch these characters slither back to the swamp. We'll never really know how one of the big guys managed to find his way into the basement and scare the livin' daylights out of our mother. . . when she stepped on him with her bare feet.
2. Treasure Hunts -- These would take hours as well. First, we'd find great rocks, some resembling precious gems, some we'd paint with Mother's gold paint that she always seemed to have on hand. We'd place them in one of Grandpa Gilmer's old cigar boxes, then bury them all over the place. Then, came the Great Treasure Maps. Whether by chance or design, I never seemed to find Neil's buried treasures. I'm still looking as I dig new gardens and plant new flowers. Someday, someone will discover the remnants of what probably sparked Neil's interests in geology and navigation.
3. Great Gun Fights -- Cap guns and squirt guns were the only outdoor toys I really remember having, other than bikes, croquet and badminton. But, boy, did we ever make the most of darting around trees, rocks, making awesome ricochet (sp?) sounds. Staging get-aways and ambushes. As years progressed, we took turns at bagging pesky sparrows and starlings, often on the wing with a BB gun, then a.22 rifle. (our eyesight was better then.)
4. Rainy Day Movies -- We'd empty a box of corn flakes, poke a hole on the edge, then place it on a pointed bedpost to create an instant Cecil B. DeMille Movie Camera! It would turn 360 degrees for great panoramic scenes as we'd take turns as cameraman/director, then actor. Sure wish we'd had real video tape (or a modern phone) to see just how great we were at improv. (ha)
5. The Creek -- Infinite hours of entertainment were offered up by Morgan Creek. Swimming, raft making, frog hunting, fishing, leach removal, and fascinating discovery.
Somehow, I doubt our Meredith will approve of all this good, clean fun for her girls. But, maybe if they wear all their headgear, knee and elbow pads, surgical gloves and wet suits, they'll survive. Then, I'll let them drink from the garden hose, rather than their purified water bottles. . . just for fun.
Mary Anne
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Big City Memories
Neil, bet you're glad it's Sunday! Yea! Hopefully it opens you up to a lot more food choices. Otto and I were in NYC for a week....to see shows, and celebrate my birthday. We thought of our time in NYC with you when we boarded the double decker bus to tour the city.(It's been 10 years, and we needed to refresh our memories!) Remember the tour guide? Every time one of us said something to him, he said something about us Michigan people...Kay probably remembers his exact words....whatever it was we all laughed everytime, and his New York accent made it even funnier to us. We took a jitney ride through Central Park...the poor kid on the bike..he got off his bike at one point, and started walking the bike up one of the hills...lol!! Hope you're feeling better with your larger food selection, and family coming. :) Hugs and lots of prayers from Nancy , Otto and Oreo too...she just had a birthday ...19 years old now!
Update June 19, 2010
The whole family is here to celebrate Father's Day with Neil. He has had some issues with the chemo. We are still having trouble getting him to eat enough and to walk but everyone is trying. The kids are getting paid by their daddy to give Papa tickles. Aunt Ellen is the favorite toy for her nieces and nephews as they are swimming daily.
We thank the Gilliams for food and the Roses and Solomons for taking care of the birds, etc. in our back yard. Carolyn Strack took Kay for an outing today and Monday we'll interview the Visiting Angels so Kay can get a little more help when the family leaves.
Again, thanks to everyone for everything. We didn't know so many cared!!
The Gilmer Family
We thank the Gilliams for food and the Roses and Solomons for taking care of the birds, etc. in our back yard. Carolyn Strack took Kay for an outing today and Monday we'll interview the Visiting Angels so Kay can get a little more help when the family leaves.
Again, thanks to everyone for everything. We didn't know so many cared!!
The Gilmer Family
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Update June 17, 2010
We have completed this week of chemo. On Monday Neil had chemo in the doctor's office for three hours and then brought home a pump pouch of chemo. On Tuesday he had three more hours of chemo and brought home another pump pouch. On Wednesday we took the pouch back and then went to see Dr. Mancuso. He can have no cold food or touch anything cold until Sunday because of the type of chemo given. This makes food for him very interesting. An infection remains so he has been given medicine to help it go away. He will have chemo in the same manner every other week.
Dean's family arrived this afternoon so assignments have been given. Dean is going to encourage his eating and walking. Shelaine is in charge of the kitchen and the kids are in charge of tickles. I guess I get to take it easy for a week.
Thanks to Angela Petty for a delicious meal for our family.
Again we thank you for your love, prayers and support.
The Gilmer Family
Dean's family arrived this afternoon so assignments have been given. Dean is going to encourage his eating and walking. Shelaine is in charge of the kitchen and the kids are in charge of tickles. I guess I get to take it easy for a week.
Thanks to Angela Petty for a delicious meal for our family.
Again we thank you for your love, prayers and support.
The Gilmer Family
WWKD?
Dear Family,
Please forgive me for not entering the Blogasphere during these past 10 days with the Gilmers in Recovery Land, Florida. But, Kay and I were going about 22 X 7 since he returned from the hospital June 7.
I want all of Neil & Kay's family and friends to know The General is on the Offensive. With an incredible arsenal of prayer, friends, family and the best medical team known to Mankind on his team. Better yet, he's taking ownership of his recovery . The leadership qualities he's demonstrated throughout his life are being deployed on his own behalf today. You wouldn't believe the food he's consuming......food essential but hard to eat....to build muscle, strength, and stop weight loss. ...40 pounds and holding.
I want to share this story which illustrates how wonderful --and therapeutic -- my 10 days were with Neil and Kay.
You all know Neil pretty well? Right? Can you imagine him being boarded on a full plane, then having several others enter the aircraft with bona fide boarding passes? 45 minutes pass, as the Captain asks all to take their seats because a storm is coming in that will close the airport. Passengers continue to move HUGE, oversized shopping bags from bin to bin... trying to find proper seats. 5 or 6 passengers have no place to sit. Screaming babies need new diapers. The temperature rises to about 80-85 degrees. Then, the storm moves in while two passengers refuse to be seated because they won't take middle seats. And, the plane sits there, hot, stranded for another hour.
So, rather than asking myself: "What would Neil do?" I asked myself: "What would Kay do?"
And the answer was: "Find PEACE!"
Now, mind you, the babies still needed new diapers and the temperature was climbing, but after 10 wonderful days with Kay, I managed to find that peace that transcends all. The Good Lord truly blessed the Gilmer Family when we were blessed with Kay and the amazing, wonderful children she brought to our family.
Love,
Mary Anne Gilmer Butters
Please forgive me for not entering the Blogasphere during these past 10 days with the Gilmers in Recovery Land, Florida. But, Kay and I were going about 22 X 7 since he returned from the hospital June 7.
I want all of Neil & Kay's family and friends to know The General is on the Offensive. With an incredible arsenal of prayer, friends, family and the best medical team known to Mankind on his team. Better yet, he's taking ownership of his recovery . The leadership qualities he's demonstrated throughout his life are being deployed on his own behalf today. You wouldn't believe the food he's consuming......food essential but hard to eat....to build muscle, strength, and stop weight loss. ...40 pounds and holding.
I want to share this story which illustrates how wonderful --and therapeutic -- my 10 days were with Neil and Kay.
You all know Neil pretty well? Right? Can you imagine him being boarded on a full plane, then having several others enter the aircraft with bona fide boarding passes? 45 minutes pass, as the Captain asks all to take their seats because a storm is coming in that will close the airport. Passengers continue to move HUGE, oversized shopping bags from bin to bin... trying to find proper seats. 5 or 6 passengers have no place to sit. Screaming babies need new diapers. The temperature rises to about 80-85 degrees. Then, the storm moves in while two passengers refuse to be seated because they won't take middle seats. And, the plane sits there, hot, stranded for another hour.
So, rather than asking myself: "What would Neil do?" I asked myself: "What would Kay do?"
And the answer was: "Find PEACE!"
Now, mind you, the babies still needed new diapers and the temperature was climbing, but after 10 wonderful days with Kay, I managed to find that peace that transcends all. The Good Lord truly blessed the Gilmer Family when we were blessed with Kay and the amazing, wonderful children she brought to our family.
Love,
Mary Anne Gilmer Butters
Update June 16, 2010
Neil received chemo Monday and Tuesday and each day carried home a chemo Pouch with 22 hours of chemo. On Wednesday the Tuesday pouch will come off and he will have a week of rest before the next session. So far...so good.
Mary Anne left this afternoon and Dean's family will arrive on Wednesday as Neil is homesick for the grandchildren. Ellen will arrive on the weekend to spend time with all of us.
Kay
Mary Anne left this afternoon and Dean's family will arrive on Wednesday as Neil is homesick for the grandchildren. Ellen will arrive on the weekend to spend time with all of us.
Kay
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Update June 11, 2010
Mary Anne and I were awakened at 7:30 with an order for McDonald's sausage egg mcmuffin. We were not happy as today was the only day with no bathers, nurses, dr. appointments or repairmen. However, she went to get it and we all ate. Then he didn't feel so well...wonder why???
Amy and family stopped by around noon on their way home from Disney. Andy had a prayer with all of us and we visited a bit.
As the day progressed and we were feeling sorry for him Helene came and gave his hands and feet reflexology. We expected him to sleep for 2 hours...wrong again. So MA gave him Muscle Milk from Target...amazing stuff and he started feeling good again.
Then the Geaches from the Villages dropped in with "just picked" blueberries for Kay and MA. Next the Roses installed a hummingbird feeder in the back yard and have agreed to keep it clean and ready to attract. We're expecting Tony for a short visit this evening.
The day changes by the hour so that's how we're accepting it.
We thank all of you for your prayers and our Catholic friends the Eldens and the Vidals for their mass and prayer cards.
Mary Anne, Kay and family
Amy and family stopped by around noon on their way home from Disney. Andy had a prayer with all of us and we visited a bit.
As the day progressed and we were feeling sorry for him Helene came and gave his hands and feet reflexology. We expected him to sleep for 2 hours...wrong again. So MA gave him Muscle Milk from Target...amazing stuff and he started feeling good again.
Then the Geaches from the Villages dropped in with "just picked" blueberries for Kay and MA. Next the Roses installed a hummingbird feeder in the back yard and have agreed to keep it clean and ready to attract. We're expecting Tony for a short visit this evening.
The day changes by the hour so that's how we're accepting it.
We thank all of you for your prayers and our Catholic friends the Eldens and the Vidals for their mass and prayer cards.
Mary Anne, Kay and family
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Turn Back the Clock
Hey Neil, do you remember where you were 49 years ago today? Next year, we'll have to get together to celebrate our 50th!!
I was glad to see the June 8 update and that things were proceeding according to plan now. Know that John and I are keeping an eye on the blog and are thinking of you all. Big hugs to you and Kay.
Love,
Sherry (and John)
I was glad to see the June 8 update and that things were proceeding according to plan now. Know that John and I are keeping an eye on the blog and are thinking of you all. Big hugs to you and Kay.
Love,
Sherry (and John)
Update June 10, 2010
Today we visited our oncologist. Because of the aggressiveness of this particular cancer he has decided to start the chemo on Monday, June 14th.
Neil continues to be very weak, after losing 30+ pounds, so the doctor is giving him a medicine to improve his appetite. Mary Anne,his sister, continues to be with us and is trying to get him to eat more protein. She is an enormous help in many ways. His food of choice at this time is Shrimp cocktail., as suggested by the dietician. Coffee and ham, two of his favorites are no longer eaten.
Our neighbors, the Solomons, are going to provide transportation to the airport for Mary Anne to return her rental car and take her there when she is ready to leave. They will also feed the birds so Neil can enjoy his time on the lanai, watching the squirrels, birds, and ducks. Ron and Helene, our friends, are taking the PT Cruiser to the dealer to see why the engine light is on.
As neighbors see me outside they are offering to do things I never even thought of. Thanks to all. Please feel free to call any time. If we are unavailable for one reason or another we will get back to you when we can. You can also e-mail us at gkappagamma@aol.com. If you'd like to put something on the blog you can send it to johndgilmer@gmail and Dean will enter it for you. If you want to read the blog it's found at www.neilgilmer.com.
The outpouring of love and our faith is keeping us going. Neil and Mary Anne are now enjoying classical music together.
Neil continues to be very weak, after losing 30+ pounds, so the doctor is giving him a medicine to improve his appetite. Mary Anne,his sister, continues to be with us and is trying to get him to eat more protein. She is an enormous help in many ways. His food of choice at this time is Shrimp cocktail., as suggested by the dietician. Coffee and ham, two of his favorites are no longer eaten.
Our neighbors, the Solomons, are going to provide transportation to the airport for Mary Anne to return her rental car and take her there when she is ready to leave. They will also feed the birds so Neil can enjoy his time on the lanai, watching the squirrels, birds, and ducks. Ron and Helene, our friends, are taking the PT Cruiser to the dealer to see why the engine light is on.
As neighbors see me outside they are offering to do things I never even thought of. Thanks to all. Please feel free to call any time. If we are unavailable for one reason or another we will get back to you when we can. You can also e-mail us at gkappagamma@aol.com. If you'd like to put something on the blog you can send it to johndgilmer@gmail and Dean will enter it for you. If you want to read the blog it's found at www.neilgilmer.com.
The outpouring of love and our faith is keeping us going. Neil and Mary Anne are now enjoying classical music together.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Update June 8, 2010
Today is Tuesday and we made it through a night and most of today without a trip back to a hospital. The Visiting Nurse came today and techs will come throughout the week to assess and help us care for Neil. Mary Anne, has been a blessing. I would never have made it without her, our kids, the doctors, nurses, friends and God beside me. It is exhausting to be a caregiver and the four of us...Dean, Ellen, Mary Anne and I have experience it full force. But we go on because we love him so deeply.He's a good patient and constantly says, "I'm so sorry to put you through this."Maria brought a lovely dinner tonight that MA and I really enjoyed. Neil liked the jello and is drinking Ensure mostly. I think his sister is going to spoil him with special milkshakes. She's reading all of the labels to build him up with protein as he's lost 30 pounds and is very weak. Thanks, once again, to all of you, for everything. Kay and family
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Aurora Borealis
Back when it was fun to be in sales at Eaton, we scheduled fishing trips to Manitoba to entertain customers. Neil’s perennial partner was Ihor M. and despite the fact that Ihor was no fisherman, I believe that Neil in particular bonded with him on those trips, which made our subsequent business discussions just a little bit easier. Neil, here’s a pictorial summary of our trips that might bring back some memories and a chuckle or two:
They all started with a trip on the Eaton Air Force
Then we switched to the local air service
Every day we started with breakfast at the lodge and discussion with our guests
Neil made the most of every day, including fishing from shore during Shore Lunch
One of the highlights of these trips, besides the productive fishing, was being treated to a display of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. We all were awestruck by this wonder of nature for the first year or so. And always, Neil was the leader of the gang when it came to viewing them. By the third year, some of us had higher priorities than getting up in the middle of the night to view the Aurora. I remember on our third trip, it was about 3 AM when Neil came through the cabin and informed us that the Aurora was ready for viewing. I was particularly tired that night and sleeping VERY well. When I didn’t stir upon Neil’s announcement, he said “Chuck, aren’t you coming to see the Aurora?”. And my response, with my head under the blankets, was “Can I see it from here???”. I think Neil will still laugh when he recalls this. It’s no wonder that Neil was taken with the Aurora based on his lifelong interest in the Solar System and outer space.
Now, I can’t say for sure, but this might have been Neil on the morning after the Aurora viewing:
Neil, those were some great times and I hope you get a kick out of reliving some of these fun experiences!
Cheers!
Chuck M.
They all started with a trip on the Eaton Air Force
Then we switched to the local air service
Every day we started with breakfast at the lodge and discussion with our guests
Neil made the most of every day, including fishing from shore during Shore Lunch
One of the highlights of these trips, besides the productive fishing, was being treated to a display of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. We all were awestruck by this wonder of nature for the first year or so. And always, Neil was the leader of the gang when it came to viewing them. By the third year, some of us had higher priorities than getting up in the middle of the night to view the Aurora. I remember on our third trip, it was about 3 AM when Neil came through the cabin and informed us that the Aurora was ready for viewing. I was particularly tired that night and sleeping VERY well. When I didn’t stir upon Neil’s announcement, he said “Chuck, aren’t you coming to see the Aurora?”. And my response, with my head under the blankets, was “Can I see it from here???”. I think Neil will still laugh when he recalls this. It’s no wonder that Neil was taken with the Aurora based on his lifelong interest in the Solar System and outer space.
Now, I can’t say for sure, but this might have been Neil on the morning after the Aurora viewing:
Neil, those were some great times and I hope you get a kick out of reliving some of these fun experiences!
Cheers!
Chuck M.
Update June 6, 2010
Happy Sunday 2 all,
Well, Praise God! Neil (dad) came through the two procedures yesterday with flying colors and was in and out of surgery within an hour and up and talking in no time at all! Amazing! Doctors are encouraged at his progress and are saying that he should be home by Monday or Tuesday after all the doctors sign release paperwork on him and do their final inspections, I'm sure. LOOKING GOOD!
His sister, Aunt MaryAnne came in last night to offer her support, love and a needed hand to Kay and Ellen. Ellen has to return to work on Monday to train her summer camp staff this week as next week the 132 campers will arrive for 8 weeks of fun in the sun in South Florida. Kay has a list for MaryAnne to help out with starting Monday, but as for today she gets to re-group and enjoy the pool and lanai for a bit, along with some time visitig with her big brother. Kay and Ellen are so glad she was so quick to jump on a plane and come, we think we are perhaps over the 9am-9pm (Kay's) and 9pm-9am shifts (Ellen's) for now, as Neil is re-gaining his strength again.
Nurse Ellen reports that he slept much better last night with about 4 hours of sleep all in a row, which is a first in a while. She believes it was due to the relief of having the blood clots stopped and the chemo port in position for a new round of treatments to begin sooner rather than later to get him over the next hurdle. CHEMO may take 6 months and we are believing it will shrink the baseball size mass on his liver and clear up any cancer on the lymph nodes - keep those prayers coming they are sure needed and giving us all the strength we need day to day! Keep your stories coming too, just send the to Dean and he will post them on the blog.... Dad has so enjoyed all the stories shared, the love and laughs that we have all had with him for a lifetime! Thank you to all friends and family! (This nurse got 4 hours of sleep and is feeling good today!) Ahhhh!
As the doctors say, "One more speed bump overcome!)
Neillism of the day: Nurse enters to take more blood, he calls her the "Wicked Witch of the West" straight from the Wizard of Oz... LOL!!!
Much love to all, (this nurse is soon officially off duty for this week)...flying south for the summer!
Ellen
Well, Praise God! Neil (dad) came through the two procedures yesterday with flying colors and was in and out of surgery within an hour and up and talking in no time at all! Amazing! Doctors are encouraged at his progress and are saying that he should be home by Monday or Tuesday after all the doctors sign release paperwork on him and do their final inspections, I'm sure. LOOKING GOOD!
His sister, Aunt MaryAnne came in last night to offer her support, love and a needed hand to Kay and Ellen. Ellen has to return to work on Monday to train her summer camp staff this week as next week the 132 campers will arrive for 8 weeks of fun in the sun in South Florida. Kay has a list for MaryAnne to help out with starting Monday, but as for today she gets to re-group and enjoy the pool and lanai for a bit, along with some time visitig with her big brother. Kay and Ellen are so glad she was so quick to jump on a plane and come, we think we are perhaps over the 9am-9pm (Kay's) and 9pm-9am shifts (Ellen's) for now, as Neil is re-gaining his strength again.
Nurse Ellen reports that he slept much better last night with about 4 hours of sleep all in a row, which is a first in a while. She believes it was due to the relief of having the blood clots stopped and the chemo port in position for a new round of treatments to begin sooner rather than later to get him over the next hurdle. CHEMO may take 6 months and we are believing it will shrink the baseball size mass on his liver and clear up any cancer on the lymph nodes - keep those prayers coming they are sure needed and giving us all the strength we need day to day! Keep your stories coming too, just send the to Dean and he will post them on the blog.... Dad has so enjoyed all the stories shared, the love and laughs that we have all had with him for a lifetime! Thank you to all friends and family! (This nurse got 4 hours of sleep and is feeling good today!) Ahhhh!
As the doctors say, "One more speed bump overcome!)
Neillism of the day: Nurse enters to take more blood, he calls her the "Wicked Witch of the West" straight from the Wizard of Oz... LOL!!!
Much love to all, (this nurse is soon officially off duty for this week)...flying south for the summer!
Ellen
Saturday, June 5, 2010
An Inivitation
Chris,
Glad you got on the blog...I think it would be good if you, Dan, and Larry could come down at some point. I can't describe to you so far when a good time to do that might be. In about one week I will be starting the heavy chemo treatments The doctor cannot describe if or how sick the chemo treatments will make me.After it's started I will have a much better idea what to expect. I hope it's minimal That way I can call you guys and you can make arrangements to come down for a few days. I will let you know. Neil
Glad you got on the blog...I think it would be good if you, Dan, and Larry could come down at some point. I can't describe to you so far when a good time to do that might be. In about one week I will be starting the heavy chemo treatments The doctor cannot describe if or how sick the chemo treatments will make me.After it's started I will have a much better idea what to expect. I hope it's minimal That way I can call you guys and you can make arrangements to come down for a few days. I will let you know. Neil
I love my space buddy-- from Samantha
Papa Neill knows the answer to everything and is so fascinated in space he reminds me of a scientist.My favorite space memory with him was when he came in where we where sleeping and said its time a space craft thing is going by our house.We ran out of bed like at 12:00 and saw it go by our house.He knew so many catch frases such as Santa tonight like on Christmas eve he called us and said Santa tonight.At night i always wait for my favorite call of the year.And other one is the bear hug it started when john was born he would say give me a big bear hug and would trap us those are the best kind of hugs.my little brother john changed his screen saver in to space i think he is the reason to.I love asking asking Papa Niel about aliens and space he is the first person i think of when i think of space.I pray Evey day and think of him every day.we all love Papa Neil so much my family hope to visit him very soon
samantha
samantha
A message from John Gilmer 7 to John Gilmer 5
hi papa Neil i hope you get better i really want to see you I'm going to pray for you every day . and i have a 3d space thing for my screen saver
love,
john gilmer
love,
john gilmer
Update June 5, 2010
Friends and Family,
Neil had a good day, got some good rest during the night and day. Things were looking good until late in the day the doctors came in to let us know that Neil is going to have a filter put in tomorrow to stop any blood clots from traveling to the heart, along with his port for chemo to begin in a week or so. This came up more sudden than we ever dreamed, as we thought we were just awaiting the cummiden levels to regulate the blood and stop any further clotting. And thought he had 4-6 weeks to recover from the colon surgery. Apparently this kind of cancer is aggressive and doctors are eager to attack it, so telling us now that the sooner the better to get the chemo working on the liver and lymph nodes.
We are somewhat numb from this news as thought there was more time to heal before Neil undergoing more surgery and aggressive chemo. They told him that he will need chemo three times a week, and may be able to get some form of portable chemo device to have at home for some of the treatments as they are going to make him pretty weak and tired. So, please continue to pray and offer support, we are so blessed by all the out-pouring of love, prayers and well-wishes and they have sure been an encouragement through all of this to all of us.
Love to all,
Ellen, Kay, Dean and family
Neil had a good day, got some good rest during the night and day. Things were looking good until late in the day the doctors came in to let us know that Neil is going to have a filter put in tomorrow to stop any blood clots from traveling to the heart, along with his port for chemo to begin in a week or so. This came up more sudden than we ever dreamed, as we thought we were just awaiting the cummiden levels to regulate the blood and stop any further clotting. And thought he had 4-6 weeks to recover from the colon surgery. Apparently this kind of cancer is aggressive and doctors are eager to attack it, so telling us now that the sooner the better to get the chemo working on the liver and lymph nodes.
We are somewhat numb from this news as thought there was more time to heal before Neil undergoing more surgery and aggressive chemo. They told him that he will need chemo three times a week, and may be able to get some form of portable chemo device to have at home for some of the treatments as they are going to make him pretty weak and tired. So, please continue to pray and offer support, we are so blessed by all the out-pouring of love, prayers and well-wishes and they have sure been an encouragement through all of this to all of us.
Love to all,
Ellen, Kay, Dean and family
Friday, June 4, 2010
Update June 4, 2010
Friends and Family,
For those who don't know my dad is back in the hospital after several attempts to go home... he had colon cancer surgery back on May 7th the went home only to return shortely thereafter to have a 2nd surgery on May 18th and another hospital stay and then released and now back at a "nicer" hospital after his home nurse discovered blood clots in his legs. Those blood clots traveled to one lung and now he's on bedrest here at the Dr Phillips Hospital (closer to their home) trying to get regulated on some blood thinners so he can hopefully return home again by Sunday or Monday. I came up late Tuesday night the night he return to the hospital and mom and I are doing 9 - 9 shifts to relieve each other.... I do the night stay and she does the day time. I don't know how anyone would go through all this alone, it's wearisome and yet you feel like you need to be here for the "little" things that he needs... like pillow fluffing, tickles, help with bathroom stuff, tv remote, hot and cold blanket isses, breathing treatments, eating and running to get nurses for water, ice, pain killer or questions - lots of questions come up.... and doctors arrive early....anywhere from 5am to all day in and out, usually just the time he gets to sleep... that's when it's time for blood pressure, temperature, blood draws and the like..... unbelievable experience!
Keep those prayers coming and check in daily at the blog below if you want daily updates and funny stories flowing in all the time. Dean has been amazing keeping up with everything on here.... awesome!
ok you can tell anyone to check on dad they can to to www.neilgilmer.com from now on, this should be working in a few minutes and will take them right to the for easier access and remembering the website.
It was a good night he was able to sleep more than he has in days.... 2 hours at the most at one time... and cat naps in between.... his back nd neck are very sore from being bedridden so blood clots don't spread but otherwise, pretty good. Getting anxious to get home again, they are still saying Sunday or Monday in order to regulate the medication and blood thinners.... but otherwise, in good spirits and kind to all!
Thank you everyone for all your love and support. I know that I speak for all the Gilmer's when saying THANK YOU and keep those prayers coming. After getting him home, I'm sure he'll be ready for some visitors in small doses.... so as not to wear him out!
Love to all,
Ellen
For those who don't know my dad is back in the hospital after several attempts to go home... he had colon cancer surgery back on May 7th the went home only to return shortely thereafter to have a 2nd surgery on May 18th and another hospital stay and then released and now back at a "nicer" hospital after his home nurse discovered blood clots in his legs. Those blood clots traveled to one lung and now he's on bedrest here at the Dr Phillips Hospital (closer to their home) trying to get regulated on some blood thinners so he can hopefully return home again by Sunday or Monday. I came up late Tuesday night the night he return to the hospital and mom and I are doing 9 - 9 shifts to relieve each other.... I do the night stay and she does the day time. I don't know how anyone would go through all this alone, it's wearisome and yet you feel like you need to be here for the "little" things that he needs... like pillow fluffing, tickles, help with bathroom stuff, tv remote, hot and cold blanket isses, breathing treatments, eating and running to get nurses for water, ice, pain killer or questions - lots of questions come up.... and doctors arrive early....anywhere from 5am to all day in and out, usually just the time he gets to sleep... that's when it's time for blood pressure, temperature, blood draws and the like..... unbelievable experience!
Keep those prayers coming and check in daily at the blog below if you want daily updates and funny stories flowing in all the time. Dean has been amazing keeping up with everything on here.... awesome!
ok you can tell anyone to check on dad they can to to www.neilgilmer.com from now on, this should be working in a few minutes and will take them right to the for easier access and remembering the website.
It was a good night he was able to sleep more than he has in days.... 2 hours at the most at one time... and cat naps in between.... his back nd neck are very sore from being bedridden so blood clots don't spread but otherwise, pretty good. Getting anxious to get home again, they are still saying Sunday or Monday in order to regulate the medication and blood thinners.... but otherwise, in good spirits and kind to all!
Thank you everyone for all your love and support. I know that I speak for all the Gilmer's when saying THANK YOU and keep those prayers coming. After getting him home, I'm sure he'll be ready for some visitors in small doses.... so as not to wear him out!
Love to all,
Ellen
Thursday, June 3, 2010
www.neilgilmer.com
For ease of use or for letting anyone else know that may want to check up on Neil now and then, you can now access the blog at www.neilgilmer.com- this should be a lot easier for everyone to remember and type into their browser. Plus it gives the man that "would never use a computer" a dot com of his very own!
"Santa Claus TONIGHT!"
"Santa Claus TONIGHT!" is Dad's favorite saying on Christmas Eve. This saying has had a good 30 year run. I think it started with his sister's son and daughter, Billy and Molly, in the mid 80's. Needless to say this pumped them up to end, realizing the closeness and finality of the big event was just hours away has such a special meaning to kids that Dad simply can't resist using this saying to further fuel the raging fire.
Neil's grandson, Johnny, tonight said one of his favorite things about Papa Neil is how smart he is and how good he is with knowing things about space. Johnny said I bet Papa knows the exact minute Santa will arrive at our house on Christmas this year. I bet he does Johnny. But I also know that Christmas Eve, as sure as Santa will arrive at the appointed minute, you will get a call from Papa Neil reminding you- "Santa Claus TONIGHT!"
Dean
Neil's grandson, Johnny, tonight said one of his favorite things about Papa Neil is how smart he is and how good he is with knowing things about space. Johnny said I bet Papa knows the exact minute Santa will arrive at our house on Christmas this year. I bet he does Johnny. But I also know that Christmas Eve, as sure as Santa will arrive at the appointed minute, you will get a call from Papa Neil reminding you- "Santa Claus TONIGHT!"
Dean
Chuckle while you work - thanks from Neil
Bryce,
I haven't thought of those things in a long time but your reminding me of them brings out a nice chuckle. Remember austerity is automatic Lobster thermador.
Sandy,
We appreciate your sincere well wishes and we will take to heart your advice regarding all of the work this disease involves. Many thanks for all of your stories as well including thimbles and quarter steaks. If you will recall I believe I called that goofy computer you had to use in Japan the lap pooch. Neil
I haven't thought of those things in a long time but your reminding me of them brings out a nice chuckle. Remember austerity is automatic Lobster thermador.
Sandy,
We appreciate your sincere well wishes and we will take to heart your advice regarding all of the work this disease involves. Many thanks for all of your stories as well including thimbles and quarter steaks. If you will recall I believe I called that goofy computer you had to use in Japan the lap pooch. Neil
Update June 3, 2010
Neil is eating much better today...likes the food. He will probably go home Sunday or Monday. Dr. Powers is the hospitalist for our primary care doctor and I had long talk with him today. He's going to be a big help to me in making decisions, etc. I was concerned about the coordination between the other hospital and this one...feel much better about it now. The home health nurse who sent us here has called a couple of times to check on Neil. It seems everyone loves him. He is getting a lot of pain medicine.and a muscle relaxant. I get coffee and Danish at 10 .a.m. and cookie and coffee at 2 p.m....love this hospital. Kay
Neil at Work- Great Pictures Too- Thanks Bryce
Hello,
We are thinking of Neil often and wishing him and the family the best and keeping you all in our prayers.
I dug out a few old pictures from work days past that I thought Neil might enjoy. A couple of pictures from Mike T's retirement party held in Battle Creek and a couple of pictures from a story ladened business trip which began in Seoul Korea and moved to Japan. Also, a couple of pictures with some of our friends at Nittan including one of Neil pondering the scene inside the Peace memorial in Hiroshima. I'll leave it a guessing game for Neil to fill in the names for some of the faces.
That particular Korea/Japan trip was a phenomenal two weeks of non-stop jokes from Neil with help from TNT. What recall! Some memory joggers for the 'ol boy are: Lobster Thermador, kinky, falling upstairs and butterflies.
Neil's uncanny ability to embellish even the simplest of stories has always been a joy.
Blessings and regards to you all.
Bryce B
We are thinking of Neil often and wishing him and the family the best and keeping you all in our prayers.
I dug out a few old pictures from work days past that I thought Neil might enjoy. A couple of pictures from Mike T's retirement party held in Battle Creek and a couple of pictures from a story ladened business trip which began in Seoul Korea and moved to Japan. Also, a couple of pictures with some of our friends at Nittan including one of Neil pondering the scene inside the Peace memorial in Hiroshima. I'll leave it a guessing game for Neil to fill in the names for some of the faces.
That particular Korea/Japan trip was a phenomenal two weeks of non-stop jokes from Neil with help from TNT. What recall! Some memory joggers for the 'ol boy are: Lobster Thermador, kinky, falling upstairs and butterflies.
Neil's uncanny ability to embellish even the simplest of stories has always been a joy.
Blessings and regards to you all.
Bryce B
Nurse, I will have 8 thimblefulls and 4 quartersteaks - hold the flimsies
Neil, Larry, Bryce and I were in Japan for a business meeting with a Japanese Co. to go over a new proposal. Larry and I had arrived a day before and met with BT (a Harvard MBA type our company hired to impress Wall Street). Larry and I met Bruce in his 5 star hotel in Osaka (penthouse room), and BT proceeded to tell us that the presentation I had prepared was totally inadequate. He then proceeded to outline what he expected us to present, and I (as a good secretary/engineer - BT had trouble telling the difference apparently) took copious notes, so that we could rewrite the presentation when we returned to our 3 star hotel in a nearby smaller city. By the time, we returned to the hotel Neil and Bryce had arrived from the States, and were sitting in the lobby waiting to hear how things went with the Harvard MBA guy. After they had a good laugh regarding the fact that we had less than 24 hours to totally reconstruct the presentation in accord with BT's new direction, we all retired to the hotel lobby to begin the process of rewriting the presentation. (Note: This was before the days of laptop computers, Powerpoint software, and overhead projection equipment.)
As the only 1 that could type (no big surprise here), I got the job of rewriting the presentation, while the "boys" - Neil, Larry, and Bryce dictated what it should say. There was just a small problem - the only typewriter available had Japanese characters on the keys. Fortunately, I could type, and the corresponding Japanese characters were in the same location as the English letters on the Japanese typewriter. So the boys started dictating and I started typing. To make the work more palatable, Neil ordered a few "drinks" to keep the creative juices flowing while I typed. In those days, Larry drank Gin martinis with olives and Neil drank Vodka martinis with a twist (lemon). I was drinking Whiskey Sours (the only drink I could recognize on the menu, which was all in Japanese). The poor waitress became totally confused when Neil said, Vodka martini and Larry said Gin martini. So every time they ordered they repeated these words, "Vodka martini, no gin", "Gin martini, no vodka"... The drinks came in what appeared to us to be cordial glasses, so Neil coined the word "thimblefuls" to describe the size of the libations. As the afternoon wore on, I continued to type, and the boys continued to drink. Many laughs occurred as I gamely attempted to type on the Japanese typewriter, and the boys made numerous changes to the presentation. As we continued to work, Neil coined another term - he began calling for the "nurse". The "nurse" was the sweet young thing who was attending to his finger snap requests to bring another round of "thimblefuls". By early evening, we had finished the presentation and a number of "thimblefuls". So Bryce (ever the practical) suggested that we ask the hotel desk to make "flimsies" (transparencies) for the presentation, and we retire to the dining room for dinner.
The 4 of us stumbled up to the dining room (having had many too many thimblefuls by then), and ordered steaks. The size of the steaks caused Neil to describe them as "quarter" steaks (and I must admit they were only slightly larger than a 25 cent piece.) By the end of dinner, we had consumed a few "quarter steaks" and several more "thimblefuls". Neil retired to his room with a fairly significant buzz and upon opening the door he slipped and fell into his room on his ample derriere. (The ever attentive hotel employees realized that we had forgotten to retrieve our "flimsies" for our early morning presentation due to our alcoholic stupor, and they had slid the "flimsies" (transparencies) under the door of Neil's room - assuming he was the leader of our illustrious group.)
And so additional Neil-ism's entered the workplace vernacular - "thimblefuls", "quartersteaks", calling for the "nurse", and the inherent dangers of unattended "flimsies". Somehow, I think the boys all conspired to keep me laughing about this experience for years to come.
Sandy
P.S. These were good times, and all the laughs made for a great working experience. I was the "new kid on the block", and a woman besides - one of the first in what was then strictly a "man's world". Neil and his friends let me "into the club" - even though I wasn't a true "Creeker" (Neil will have to tell you that part of the story), and I have been grateful ever since!
(Editor's note: Last names/company names have been removed for privacy issues only.)
As the only 1 that could type (no big surprise here), I got the job of rewriting the presentation, while the "boys" - Neil, Larry, and Bryce dictated what it should say. There was just a small problem - the only typewriter available had Japanese characters on the keys. Fortunately, I could type, and the corresponding Japanese characters were in the same location as the English letters on the Japanese typewriter. So the boys started dictating and I started typing. To make the work more palatable, Neil ordered a few "drinks" to keep the creative juices flowing while I typed. In those days, Larry drank Gin martinis with olives and Neil drank Vodka martinis with a twist (lemon). I was drinking Whiskey Sours (the only drink I could recognize on the menu, which was all in Japanese). The poor waitress became totally confused when Neil said, Vodka martini and Larry said Gin martini. So every time they ordered they repeated these words, "Vodka martini, no gin", "Gin martini, no vodka"... The drinks came in what appeared to us to be cordial glasses, so Neil coined the word "thimblefuls" to describe the size of the libations. As the afternoon wore on, I continued to type, and the boys continued to drink. Many laughs occurred as I gamely attempted to type on the Japanese typewriter, and the boys made numerous changes to the presentation. As we continued to work, Neil coined another term - he began calling for the "nurse". The "nurse" was the sweet young thing who was attending to his finger snap requests to bring another round of "thimblefuls". By early evening, we had finished the presentation and a number of "thimblefuls". So Bryce (ever the practical) suggested that we ask the hotel desk to make "flimsies" (transparencies) for the presentation, and we retire to the dining room for dinner.
The 4 of us stumbled up to the dining room (having had many too many thimblefuls by then), and ordered steaks. The size of the steaks caused Neil to describe them as "quarter" steaks (and I must admit they were only slightly larger than a 25 cent piece.) By the end of dinner, we had consumed a few "quarter steaks" and several more "thimblefuls". Neil retired to his room with a fairly significant buzz and upon opening the door he slipped and fell into his room on his ample derriere. (The ever attentive hotel employees realized that we had forgotten to retrieve our "flimsies" for our early morning presentation due to our alcoholic stupor, and they had slid the "flimsies" (transparencies) under the door of Neil's room - assuming he was the leader of our illustrious group.)
And so additional Neil-ism's entered the workplace vernacular - "thimblefuls", "quartersteaks", calling for the "nurse", and the inherent dangers of unattended "flimsies". Somehow, I think the boys all conspired to keep me laughing about this experience for years to come.
Sandy
P.S. These were good times, and all the laughs made for a great working experience. I was the "new kid on the block", and a woman besides - one of the first in what was then strictly a "man's world". Neil and his friends let me "into the club" - even though I wasn't a true "Creeker" (Neil will have to tell you that part of the story), and I have been grateful ever since!
(Editor's note: Last names/company names have been removed for privacy issues only.)
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Some much needed hospital humor
This is one of Dad's favorite stories. (He tells it better than I.) When I was a kid I was rough housing with a friend in the basement in Battle Creek. Well, long story short, I pulled a muscle behind my knee. Though at the time I figured I had broken my leg or worse. So Dad gets a call at the office from my friend about the bad news- he drops what he is doing at work and hurries home and calls the ambulance as soon as he gets there (or maybe before he left the office.) The emergency crew from the ambulance took me up the stairs (with some difficulty) on a stretcher and out of the house by ambulance to the hospital. We got right in in front of all the waiting people in the ER who had no doubt been there quite a while, with much less melodrama than I upon their entering. About 15 minutes later I come strolling out with Dad to the same ER waiting room that I had been rushed through just a few minutes previously on a stretcher in tremendous pain. The Dr. rubbed the muscle pull out and I was 100% fine, like nothing ever happened- good as new. Dad said the look on these other patient's face was just priceless as I walked out of the hospital with not so much as a limp. They must have thought either this is the greatest hospital in the world or these two guys (father and son) are complete idiots. I'm guessing the price of the ambulance, hospital and Dr. bills was worth the look on these people's faces to Dad.
Dean
Dean
Neilism of the Month, June 2010
"The more someone tells you it is the principle of the thing, the more you can be sure it is the money."
Update June 2, 2010
Ellen rushed to be by Neil's hospital bedside- got there at 2 am this morning. As Dad used to say many years ago- "You're a good kid." Neil was so relieved and surprised to see a smiling face! We are nearing an all clear on the latest as the heart is clear and just watching to ensure all blood clots dissolve.
We thank everyone again for all the support!
Dean
We thank everyone again for all the support!
Dean
A Cuz checks in
Finally got on the WEB...
I understand your Dad is back in the hospital. He is really having a rough time of it. I do think of him often and talk to Danny and Larry about him often. When he is up to it we have talked about coming down to see him. We would stay out and not tire him, but that is down the road several weeks away, I am sure.
Cuz Chris
I understand your Dad is back in the hospital. He is really having a rough time of it. I do think of him often and talk to Danny and Larry about him often. When he is up to it we have talked about coming down to see him. We would stay out and not tire him, but that is down the road several weeks away, I am sure.
Cuz Chris
Update June 2, 2010
Neil is back in the hospital, Sand Lake, with blood clots. Results of tests are pending, we will keep you up to date on this latest bump in the road.
Father's Day Poem
My Dad’s Impact
June 21st, 2009
When I was just a child,
It was my dad’s footsteps I recall.
This meant he was home from work,
And soon we could play nerf ball!
When I was a young girl,
It was dad’s baseball skills I did learn,
Who’s on 1st, where to throw the ball,
These were lessons I had to discern.
When I was yet a teenager,
It was many lessons on how to drive a stick,
He was quite patient and I knew if I wanted,
A car I’d better learn quick.
When I was a young woman of 20 or so,
It was his knowledge & support I did need,
How to handle job situations and to
Amelia Island we did speed!
When I was a woman of 30 or so,
It was our memories of past years we shared,
With similar senses of humor at silly things we’d done,
It’s this we both laughed at, what a pair!
When I was a woman of 40 or so,
It is his laugh I treasure the most!
His practical pranks and wisdom too,
Without dad’s support and love I don’t know
What I would do?!?
So on this Father’s Day I just want you to know…
I’ve learned a great deal Dad, all from you!
Lessons such as;
A Father Rules the Roost to Father Knows Best!
To skills on the ball field, this causes you to plan ahead…
From driving a car to career moves along life’s journey too.
Enjoying each day - finding humor in it all…
Laughing at others to supporting and loving them too!
Wisdom and knowledge is what you’ve given me
From haunted houses to hayrides, anything for a laugh!
From dutch rubs to saying good night to the elephant rug
Cartoon time to “pooch time” it’s all good to me!
…and from the Trans Am to the Chevette all lessons learned indeed!
I know I will always be told by you; “Don’t speed!”
Happy Father’s Day Dad,
You’re such a joy to me!
Love,
Ellen
PS - And all those lessons on the stars,
I’m afraid I’ve forgotten some along the way..
So next time we’ll have to get out the telescope,
So you can show me the Milky Way!
June 21st, 2009
When I was just a child,
It was my dad’s footsteps I recall.
This meant he was home from work,
And soon we could play nerf ball!
When I was a young girl,
It was dad’s baseball skills I did learn,
Who’s on 1st, where to throw the ball,
These were lessons I had to discern.
When I was yet a teenager,
It was many lessons on how to drive a stick,
He was quite patient and I knew if I wanted,
A car I’d better learn quick.
When I was a young woman of 20 or so,
It was his knowledge & support I did need,
How to handle job situations and to
Amelia Island we did speed!
When I was a woman of 30 or so,
It was our memories of past years we shared,
With similar senses of humor at silly things we’d done,
It’s this we both laughed at, what a pair!
When I was a woman of 40 or so,
It is his laugh I treasure the most!
His practical pranks and wisdom too,
Without dad’s support and love I don’t know
What I would do?!?
So on this Father’s Day I just want you to know…
I’ve learned a great deal Dad, all from you!
Lessons such as;
A Father Rules the Roost to Father Knows Best!
To skills on the ball field, this causes you to plan ahead…
From driving a car to career moves along life’s journey too.
Enjoying each day - finding humor in it all…
Laughing at others to supporting and loving them too!
Wisdom and knowledge is what you’ve given me
From haunted houses to hayrides, anything for a laugh!
From dutch rubs to saying good night to the elephant rug
Cartoon time to “pooch time” it’s all good to me!
…and from the Trans Am to the Chevette all lessons learned indeed!
I know I will always be told by you; “Don’t speed!”
Happy Father’s Day Dad,
You’re such a joy to me!
Love,
Ellen
PS - And all those lessons on the stars,
I’m afraid I’ve forgotten some along the way..
So next time we’ll have to get out the telescope,
So you can show me the Milky Way!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)