It is very difficult for me to think about beginning a new week without my mom, but I'm trying my best. Grant and I are temporarily back in Pittsburgh with our families and will return late this week to prepare for the memorial service. We both received great support yesterday from those in our church families and continue to find solace in the e-mails and cards we have been receiving.
Many of you have e-mailed me asking for my address and for Grant's so that you could keep in touch with us, so we thought it would be easiest to just post them here:
Nadine and John Michalak
338 Myrna Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15241
npmemories@yahoo.com
Grant and Deborah McKinney
1201 Lindbergh Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15223
Monday, July 12, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Arrangements for Mom's memorial service are as follows:
Saturday, July 17th at 11:00 a.m.
Leverington Presbyterian Church, 6301 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19128
Refeshments for friends and family will be provided in Westminster Hall at the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wellness Community of Philadelphia. http://www.twcp.org/
Saturday, July 17th at 11:00 a.m.
Leverington Presbyterian Church, 6301 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19128
Refeshments for friends and family will be provided in Westminster Hall at the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wellness Community of Philadelphia. http://www.twcp.org/
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The hospice nurse left around 5 p.m. She evaluated Mom and put fresh linens on the bed before sharing that she feels Mom's death is imminent. Of course, only God knows the time, but I share this bit of insight with you to give you an idea of the time frame when we will be celebrating Mom's life. Mom wanted her memorial service to be on a Saturday so that those who would have to travel in order to attend could be accomodated. This discussion seems very surreal and premature to us. I will post details on the blog at the appropriate time.
Your friendship, prayers, and support during these especially difficult days are a great gift to us.
Your friendship, prayers, and support during these especially difficult days are a great gift to us.
Good morning, friends. Mom had another peaceful night, surrounded by her family. Her breathing seems a little more labored but she started on another medication to help with the congestion. Thank you for praying that she would continue to be free of pain and discomfort. I will update as the day goes on.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Friends,
I apologize for not getting to this post earlier in the day, but John and I were celebrating our favorite 3-year-old's birthday by taking him on a fieldtrip to Build-A-Bear. He and his new furry friend, "Niles," kept Mica company for a little while before changing into swimsuits and enjoying a birthday gift of a sprinkler for the backyard.
As Adina reported, Mom continues to rest comfortably as the day wears on. The hospice nurse, Kathy, was here this afternoon to assess Mom's condition. Kathy commented that she is passing through the process very naturally and peacefully. She also observed that Mom looks so beautiful. Also during the course of the afternoon we cleaned Mom up a little bit and brushed her hair; we continue to share stories and read to her.
At this point it is too difficult to even process our feelings let alone put them into words, but we will keep you all posted as best we can. Right now, we are going to enjoy Miles' birthday pie and continue to be grateful for each moment we have with Mom.
I apologize for not getting to this post earlier in the day, but John and I were celebrating our favorite 3-year-old's birthday by taking him on a fieldtrip to Build-A-Bear. He and his new furry friend, "Niles," kept Mica company for a little while before changing into swimsuits and enjoying a birthday gift of a sprinkler for the backyard.
As Adina reported, Mom continues to rest comfortably as the day wears on. The hospice nurse, Kathy, was here this afternoon to assess Mom's condition. Kathy commented that she is passing through the process very naturally and peacefully. She also observed that Mom looks so beautiful. Also during the course of the afternoon we cleaned Mom up a little bit and brushed her hair; we continue to share stories and read to her.
At this point it is too difficult to even process our feelings let alone put them into words, but we will keep you all posted as best we can. Right now, we are going to enjoy Miles' birthday pie and continue to be grateful for each moment we have with Mom.
This is Adina posting...
Nadine will likely post a longer, more detailed message sometime later, but we know that many of you have been checking regularly looking for updates. With the oxygen that Deb began receiving Sunday night, she was more responsive on Monday and was able to speak and interact a bit. Many friends were able to come to the house and share some final moments with her. As of today, Deb is sleeping peacefully but shows little or no signs of responsiveness.
Today is Deb and Will's grandson's birthday. Miles' excitement for his birthday and Claire's captivating laughter as she and Will were playing on the floor this afternoon are warm reminders that Deb's legacy will be carried on in so many ways through her and Will's dear children and grandchildren.
The family continues to be appreciative of your thoughts, prayers and the circle of love that is surrounding them.
Nadine will likely post a longer, more detailed message sometime later, but we know that many of you have been checking regularly looking for updates. With the oxygen that Deb began receiving Sunday night, she was more responsive on Monday and was able to speak and interact a bit. Many friends were able to come to the house and share some final moments with her. As of today, Deb is sleeping peacefully but shows little or no signs of responsiveness.
Today is Deb and Will's grandson's birthday. Miles' excitement for his birthday and Claire's captivating laughter as she and Will were playing on the floor this afternoon are warm reminders that Deb's legacy will be carried on in so many ways through her and Will's dear children and grandchildren.
The family continues to be appreciative of your thoughts, prayers and the circle of love that is surrounding them.
Monday, July 5, 2010
As I post this entry from Mom's office, formerly my childhood bedroom, in Philadelphia I can hardly believe how quickly things have changed. After the oncologist's news near the end of last week we were all saddened and concerned and made plans to get here today or tomorrow to spend time with Mom and support Dad. Grant and I and our families were attending various holiday celebrations with friends back in Pittsburgh when the hospice nurse announced that things had taken a drastic turn, and we all rushed here last night, arriving around midnight.
Currently, Mom is on oxygen and resting comfortably in bed, receiving occasional doses of liquid morphine. She seems to recognize us and smiles when we tell her stories and sing to her, but hasn't really opened her eyes and has only said a word or two every couple of hours. This morning, Miles and Claire sat in bed with her and hugged her, which perked her up a bit, and she did take a few sips of water. She hasn't eaten since Saturday. Dad's sister Lisa, a nurse, is here with us--the "us" includes Dad, Grant, Deborah, Miles, Claire, John, and me. We are so grateful for the Lord's mercy in giving us time to spend with Mom and for keeping her pain at bay.
It seems unfathomable to me that just two weeks ago we were all out to brunch for Father's Day and Mom was eating bacon and eggs. Grant and I spent some time in the middle of the night just holding Mom's hand and talking to her about Heaven and all of the joy that awaits here there. We know even in these hours of terrible sadness that we will all we feasting again together one day.
Your support and love continues to be vital. Please understand that we cannot respond to all texts and e-mails personally right at this moment but I promise to post as regulary as I can over the next hours and days.
Currently, Mom is on oxygen and resting comfortably in bed, receiving occasional doses of liquid morphine. She seems to recognize us and smiles when we tell her stories and sing to her, but hasn't really opened her eyes and has only said a word or two every couple of hours. This morning, Miles and Claire sat in bed with her and hugged her, which perked her up a bit, and she did take a few sips of water. She hasn't eaten since Saturday. Dad's sister Lisa, a nurse, is here with us--the "us" includes Dad, Grant, Deborah, Miles, Claire, John, and me. We are so grateful for the Lord's mercy in giving us time to spend with Mom and for keeping her pain at bay.
It seems unfathomable to me that just two weeks ago we were all out to brunch for Father's Day and Mom was eating bacon and eggs. Grant and I spent some time in the middle of the night just holding Mom's hand and talking to her about Heaven and all of the joy that awaits here there. We know even in these hours of terrible sadness that we will all we feasting again together one day.
Your support and love continues to be vital. Please understand that we cannot respond to all texts and e-mails personally right at this moment but I promise to post as regulary as I can over the next hours and days.
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