Sweet Memories

Thank you for the steady stream of cookies, truffles, and chocolates. They always hit the spot. Judith and Michael appreciate them and the "love" they come with.

Judith continues to decline physically and cognitively but is not experiencing any major pain.

Our family refers to Michael's level of caregiving as a "living wedding vow". He is doing an amazing job keeping her as comfortable as he can. No exaggeration, Michael tells Judith that he loves her at least 100 times a day.

Please pray for Judith's peace and comfort and for continued strength for Michael.

Judith had a great visit to Seattle prior to Christmas. Cortex gave her a warm good-bye party and she was able to spend time with her mom, sisters, nieces, nephews, brother-in-laws, and dear friends. She headed off to Fresno on Christmas Day with Janet to see more family and friends. She had great visits with her friends Brenda, Chad, and Stephanie. She also got to indulge in the Haynish Christmas Tradition of "pretty hair" as she always called pierogi. She stayed with her mom and had treasured visits with her father and her brothers and more nieces and nephews.

These are special memories for all.

Unfortunately upon her return to Spokane her health has declined. Judith started receiving hospice services on Monday, January 3rd. She needs maximum assistance to stand and walk. Judith is not experiencing any pain or discomfort. She is a little disoriented. Judy will remain at home for as long as possible before she goes to the Hospice House of Spokane (www.hospiceofspokane.org/hospice_house.html)

Please continue to pray for her comfort until the Lord takes her to be with Him. Please also continue to pray for strength and courage for Michael and the rest of our Family.

God bless each of you during this difficult time.

With Love and Appreciation,

Judith's Family

Judith has made a couple of difficult decisions over the last couple of weeks.

She has decided that she is not pursuing any more treatment. The gamma knife treatment was not what she expected and was not a positive experience.

Judith has also decided to stop working. Her last day at Cortex will be December 24th.

Aunt Juicy is traveling to Seattle next week to spend time with her mom, her sisters, nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends. She is also having a going away party with her Cortex family.

Judy's contact information is located at the top of the blog.

Please continue to keep Judy & Michael in your prayers this Holiday Season.

God bless each of you.

Treatment

Judith will undergo a gamma knife procedure on Wednesday, Novmeber 17th first thing in the morning. Please keep her in your prayers.

A Poem from Judith

No One Had to Tell You

To sit with me before my first surgery so many years ago and help me understand I will forever be your little girl.

Your immediate reaction would be to jump in the car and drive across the desert to be by my side. Hearing from you every few days would be so important, especially to include “Exercise your brain hints.”

To come see me, regardless of the rules, because if you didn’t do it then, when would you have the chance?

To put your life on hold for a week, no questions asked, no future obligations. Created how to coordinate visits, share your love and laughter at a time it meant so much.

To sleep on the floor next to me until we could share our bed together again.

How much healing can take place through Mac-n-Cheese and green beans.

The comfort I took with me to treatment each day via the prayer shawl. How it would feel the love of so many at the same time would envelope me.

How prayers from people I know and those of who I have yet to meet would make such a difference. How cards and flowers and gifts would fill the emptiness that crept into our days.

The importance of helping me pack.

How much it meant to take me in when I had no home and to endure the howling of cats for 6 hours.

How tough it would to get me and my cats from Fresno to Spokane.

How amazing the weekly prayer call has become.

I love you my family and friends.

Health Update

Judith had an MRI last Tuesday and the results showed 3 new cancer spots on her brain close to the original tumor. She has multiple appointments scheduled to meet with her new team of doctors in Spokane. Her first appoinment is tomorrow with a radiologist oncologist and Wednesday's appointment is with the neurologist. Next week on November 8th she has a PET Scan scheduled and she will meet with her oncologist on the 9th to discuss going forward with gamma knife treatments.



Please keep Judith and Michael in your prayers as they will need continued strength and guidance.