Family Road Update

Happy Birthday to Kevin! Know he is on the road today to watch Michael wrestle at Shawnee Mission North.

S/W Kurt. Linda's dad is stable, still in cardiac care unit and off the respirator. Kurt plans to be on the road also to take the kids to friends for a sleep over and then head to John Hopkins to be with Linda and her family.

Pop was on the road yesterday with a trip to golf course, McD's and then drove a scooter through grocery store for weekly shopping trip. Pop was also on the road last night----went to the hockey game with Kevin. He plans to be on the road again today to make the McD's meeting then home to watch the KS BB teams play on TV. (Glad I keep a calendar of his appointments to work in appointments around his road trips.)
Have to share a Kelli story. As most of you know Kelli had a green thumb and a beautiful greenhouse. She sent a pic of this plant last summer to see if I could identify it. Ironic, the plant is a forget-me-not.

Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we travel down this difficult road.

Love, Mom

A New Day

Sunny and cold (31 degrees) here. Pop is holding his own---having some back stiffness and shoulder discomfort but doing well following Monday's chemo.

Linda sent out an e-mail yesterday afternoon regarding her dad. "Dad has come out of surgery and is a bit unstable. There are some new concerns and the possibility of emergency surgery tonight. Thank you all for your messages and emails of love and support. I love you all." Lets also keep the Rossini family in our thoughts and prayers.

Continue to receive cards/calls from friends/relatives and think about the great times we shared with Kelli. This pic was taken 2006 Thanksgiving---what a wonderful time it was to have almost all of our family in town.

Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Mom

Ashpole Family Update

Terry and Kat made it home safely through icy and snowy roads.

Pop had chemo on Monday. Has a CT and colonoscopy scheduled next month with a full schedule of Monday chemo days into mid February.

Bruce has had some of the most remarkable calls from people and friends who knew Kelli. He is humbled by our family and the number of people who have offered their love and support to him.

Linda's dad has major heart surgery today. Vicki has kept us posted as to the events leading to this day. All of their immediate family will be together at John Hopkins and of course I ask you to also be there in thought and prayer for a successful outcome.

We have had such an outpouring of love from friends and family with the loss of Kelli. So many people have pictures to share and thought I would continue to add pictures of her to our blog. Just seems right. Suggest you also catch Lindsay's tribute, check out the pics and also add to the "album." Kelli loved to cook--was a gourmet cook--this pic was taken on Bruce's 50th birthday celebration. Kat and I traveled to CO to help make it a special day for both Bruce and Kelli. What a fun celebration! (Click 2 times to enlarge pic).

As always, I ask for good thoughts and prayers for our family. We have a remarkable network of family and friends---thanks to all of you.

Love,

Mom

an aunt called wanda

this is lindsay, kelli's sweetest niece. i am finding it difficult to express how amazing my aunt was to people who were not fortunate enough to have known her, so i thought i might reach out to everyone who was so lucky. 

 
today was the first time i have done dishes since thursday, and surprisingly, i only had two crying outbursts. the initial shock has started to wear off, and i have been overwhelmed with grief thinking about how much better my aunt made my life. doesn't that seem a little ridiculous? every member of our family did an amazing job trying to ensure lauren and i were happy throughout tough times, and aunt kelli always tried to make sure we knew how much we meant to her. knowing her, i am sure she would want us to celebrate her life with fun stories about all of her zany adventures and reminisce about how happy she made us.

i hope she knew how much i loved and appreciated her, even if i still have a collection of all the thank you cards i wrote for her over the years, still in their envelopes, waiting to be sent to conifer. from the silly things that she would send to us, or the times she would meet up with us at the denver airport during our layovers just to take us to lunch and see us for an hours time, she really showed us unconditional love that i can't help but feel i took for granted.

i feel comforted knowing that she left us peacefully and unaware of the pain that we are all feeling at this time, because that would have been unbearable for her. she taught me how to be strong, and, if anything, i believe in the strength of our family. i hope that we think less about what we wish we might have said or done, and that we focus more about how she would have wanted us to enjoy her memory and enjoy and comfort each other.

i am trying to consolidate pictures and memories of her so we can all revel in how wonderful she was (just as she would have wanted). if you have any fond memories, which i am sure most of us do, please comment about them here.

Family Update

We thank all of you for the many expressions of love extended to our family. I have asked Bruce to compose the following note to send out to everyone. (Due to Pop's illness, we are deferring any KS gathering. Pop's MD has emphasized the importance of focusing on his continuing care and treatment.) Kelli was dear to all of us, always expressed her love of family/friends, and would have wanted us to focus on Pop's well being. Know that all of you will celebrate Kelli's life in your own hearts and ask all of you to also keep Bruce in your thoughts and prayers during this sad time in our lives.

Love,
Mom

To Friends and Family,

There have been many questions regarding Kelli’s passing and it is difficult to keep everyone who knew and loved her informed. I want everyone to know that Kelli passed quickly and did not suffer.

Due to the difficulty of assembling everyone from all over the country, we have decided not to have a formal service and will have a couple of small family gatherings in Colorado and Kansas. With this is mind, in lieu of flowers, if you would like to express your sympathy, we are suggesting a donation to the Colorado Pug Rescue www.copugrescue.org a non profit organization dedicated to pug welfare that Kelli was fond of.

Thank you for your kindness and condolences. Kelli and I are very fortunate to have so many loving family members and friends.

Please keep Kelli in your thoughts and prayers.

Bruce

Thank You

This is Vicki guest blogging for the Ashpole Family.

We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from so many people. We are thankful and blessed by your concern. This is a difficult request to make, but I must because of my Dad's well being. We cannot at this time accept flowers or plants into the house. Dad's chemo treatment leaves his immune sytem compromised and the doctors have requested that we remove all plants and flowers from the house. The potential for these items to carry fungus, mold, and bacteria into his enviroment could affect his health. The Doctors request has not been taken lightly by our family. We understand the chances are slim, but we are willing to do all we can for our Dad.
Cards are greatly appreciated and can be shared with the entire family. Thank you.

Kelli

This is Vicki, guest blogging for the Ashpole Family.

We are greiving the loss of Kelli, the youngest of our family. Kelli died early this morning of a massive heart attack. Bruce, her husband did an extrodinary effort to get her some help, but it happened so quickly. Our hearts go out to all of you who will be hearing the news as you read this blog. We ask that you keep us all in your hearts and prayers as we deal with the loss.

We will not be blogging for a few days, but if any important news about Dad arises, we will let you know on this blog. As for now assestments and appointments are the main plan.

Early MD appointments in AM

We will be leaving the house early in the morning to see the GI MD.

The weather was great today and we spent time out in the sunshine. Really a task to get Pop out---he gets short of breath but needs to be moving around for his general wellness and bone strength. We take our time but he tends to get cranky with himself because he does not have stamina and endurance. Try to encourage him. Unfortunately, he "un-encourageable" today so he was cranky with both of us.

We will have a new day to tackle tomorrow---so I ask all of you to continue with the good thoughts and prayers. Thanks so much!

Love,

Mom

No appointments today!!!!!

YEA!!!!! We are free today. Transfusion went well----Pop has rosy cheeks again and a day off before he starts in with more appts to finish off this week. Got a clean bill of health from the oral surgeon---healing well from the 01/13/2009 extraction.

Please sit everyone----Pop watched (he actually sat and snoozed through most of it) American Idol auditions with me last night! He plans a leisure day----off to McD's and who knows what this afternoon---will play it be ear---because he can!!!

Please continue to keep Pop in your thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Mom

Busy Day for Pop

Off to oral surgeon and hospital for transfusions. We almost have this down to a fine art--for transfusion prep work---sack lunch, pillow, blanket, and now a SuDoku hand held game (thanks Kay!).

Today will be a big day at the infusion center--with the inauguration on every TV. Hope some of our east coast family will be able to see the inauguration in person.

Kat left early this AM. Always glad to see everyone come---always sad to see them go! What's a mom to do? As Kat says---keep it real. Thanks, Kat---working on it.

Please keep good thoughts and prayers coming Pop's way!

Love,
Mom

Busy Day for Pop

Little late today----Pop had early morning lab, injection and scheduled for transfusion(s) in AM. Knew he was a little peaked and somewhat short of breath. This was one he could schedule as Hgb not as low as in the past.

Ryan----Pop was asleep when you phoned last night and I was running an errand. Sorry we missed your call but loved the message----YEA STEELERS!!!! Won't it be exciting seeing them play in the Super Bowl? Be sure and wear that lucky jersey for the game.

Kat is leaving in the AM----she has been indispensable---has kept Spencer entertained, set more watches than most people own in a lifetime, and just plain been a delightful guest. We have laughed so much. Encourage all of you to review the family history---it is a work of art---lot of time went into it. Please send all corrections as soon as possible.

We will be at the dentist early AM for a post tooth extraction check up then off to the hospital for a day of transfusions. (Busy week for MD appts---Thursday the gastrointestinal MD, and Friday with Dr. Moore.)

Please continue to keep Pop in your thoughts and prayers---esp. this week---think we will have more tests following the Thursday appt.

Love,
Mom

Football playoffs on the agenda today

Golf Course, McD's, football, football, more football---then a nice dinner with Keith, Becky, and Bohdi et al at their house. Know someone else who will also be watching the Steelers today. It is very difficult to keep up with Pop's schedule. I would be lost if he changed his pattern of activity.


Please continue the good thoughts and prayers. Everyone has been so thoughtful (thanks Kay!)
How lucky we are to have such wonderful people in our lives---thanks!


Love,
Mom

Sunlight and flowers courtesy of Kathy

(Remember to click twice to enlarge the pics)

Sharing sunshine, flowers and a few pieces of Kathy's pottery to brighten up your day.

Pop is doing great! Pop has already been to McD's and back. Planning on a TV college football day and eating out at Village Inn this evening. Can any of you top this kind of exciting day?

It has been great having Kat here. The family visits have been wonderful. Pop is in his element with his family and friends----You know where I am going with this....Thanks to all of you for your good thoughts and prayers and please keep them coming Pop's way.

Love,
Mom

Pop's progress

Pop is still status quo---that is great! He actually slept 12 hours last night. Think the worrisome tooth removal has let him relax.

Kathy enjoyed her tour of the big city. Jan was concerned we did not hit all the famous city landmarks---sorry Jan--everyone doesn't get the same tour.

Warming up here (19 degrees), still some scattered snow on the ground, no big plans today. Pop drove to McD meeting this AM--the group is dwindling somewhat. News has it that several of the McD's gang are on the road headed south.

As always, keep those good thoughts and prayers coming Pop's way!

Love,
Mom

PS: Kathy is revising, adding, working on the family history. If you have changes---please call or to submit to me ASAP so we can send out draft.

Snow is here--Pop is holding his own

Kathy says we had an inch and a half of snow. She has already been out and shoveled paths on driveway. She gets a lot of snow shoveling practice in MN---also does a great job here. By the time I had my coat on--she was done!

Pop has a road trip planned today to show her our new arena and some "big city" sites. (Should be amusing for her, distracting for Pop, and a great time for me driving and sharing some time with both of them.)

Well---well--well! Pop is still sleeping well, eating well, doing well---enjoyed not having chemo or transfusions this week. The extraction was a minor thing compared to the other options.

Cannot thank all of the many people enough who ask about Pop and send their good thoughts and prayers. We are so blessed to have such wonderful prople in our lives---Thanks!

Love,
Mom

Pop's progress

First of all---Kat made it in safely!!---Yea!!

Next---what do Pop and this little creature have in common?--will let you figure it out. Pop is--as always doing remarkable from the tooth extraction--no pain--only taking antibiotics for the next 5 days.

Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Mom

Yea!!!!!

Platelets good---$$$tooth extracted----It's done!

Thanks again, for all the good thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Mom

We have a plan

The plan is---get in the car and drive to Dr. Moore's office. The rest of the day is a mystery. Will Pop have that tooth extracted? ----kind of like---"to be or not to be."

Please continue to be with the good thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Mom

Guess what?

This looks like Dr. Moore's nurse telling Pop---"Your platelets are too low (32,000) to get chemo today (or for the next 2 weeks) and if they don't increase--the tooth extraction may have to be postponed again---tell you what--let's have you in for lab again at 8:15am tomorrow--the platelets have to be at least 50+ for tooth extractions---may even give you platelets prior to extraction." (I am thinking---"Oh what the hay---it's just another crazy day!")

My question to all of you----who wants to set up a pool as to when and whether that tooth will ever get extracted? The money from the pool will be donated to charity. At this rate---looks like we will have quite a lot of cash to donate.

Love,
Mom

PS: Pop took the news very well----he was grinning from ear to ear, out the door and waiting by the elevator before I could catch up with him.

Chemo and Lab today

Packed up and going to lab and chemo today. Nice to have it out of the way for the week. (Extraction of the tooth planned tomorrow.)

Nothing new going on---that's good! Pop is holding his own and looking better each day. Please continue to keep those good thoughts and prayers coming his way.

Love,
Mom

Sunshine and on the road

Pop has had a great weekend. Sleeping, eating, feeling well, driving the truck----Life is good! Pop is off to McD's meeting. Planning a quiet day watching sports on TV in front of the fireplace.

We are looking forward to Kat's visit. Hopefully, Pop will have chemo and the tooth extraction out of the way without complications and have a great visit with her. These rounds of chemo have been "gentle", he has tolerated the sessions very well.

Please continue to keep Pop in your thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Mom

Weekend Plans

Papa Sonny says, "Happy Birthday Ryan!" Hope your day is special!

The pictures tell it all---add a couple trips to McD's. Glad Pop had his transfusion on Thursday----He had a great day yesterday and looking forward to a great weekend. It is a great weekend to stay by the fire watching the NFL play offs.

Everyone tells Pop he is looking better---I agree--thanks to all of you who continue sending the good thoughts and prayers Pop's way.

Love,
Mom

No appointments today!!!!!

Another week conquered!! It has been quite a roller coaster/see saw/busy week but Pop remains strong.

Review of week: appointments, appointments, more appointments, canceled appointments, more canceled appointments, throw in a blood transfusion, and delay that abscessed $$$ tooth extraction to next Tuesday. No appointments today----Let's hear a big Hallelujah/AMEN!!!!

Am wondering if part of Pop's treatment is to have him on the run so much that he will outrun those cancer cells---Go Pop--Go Pop! The transfusion always makes him feel better. He plans to drive to the McD's meeting this AM and maybe even a trip to the golf course to visit with his golf buddies. Pop's appetite is still good and weighed in at 145.5 this AM.

Please continue to send those good thoughts and prayers Pops' way.

Love,
Mom

Guess what?

Pop really did fret his extraction away and took some of his hemoglobin (Hgb) with it. Lucky we had lab work this AM--Hgb was 6.9. Sooooo---Pop is at the hospital getting 2 units of packed red cells, the extraction has been postponed for today and rescheduled for Tuesday. Dr. Moore is also fretting that he gave Pop the Zometa before the dental stuff was checked. Now the Zometa is on hold until all the dental work is completed. It just gets better---we are also now going to be checking for occult blood. Will leave that up to you to figure out how that is going to be done. It just gets almost funny at times----can they come up with any more medications or tests for Pop?

Now I ask all of you to fret and stew---no--no--I mean continue the good thoughts and prayers coming Pops' way.

Love,
Ma

PS: Maddie--only old ladies can eat pie for breakfast---you must wait your turn (or come visit again soon and I will share with you.)

Busy Day for Pop

Off to have lab work this morning and oral surgeon this afternoon. So many of you have said you would gladly take Pop's place when it comes to his discomfort---any takers for today? Today would need you only for the fretting and stewing part of his discomfort--he has really stressed over having to have this $$$ tooth removed. He has no pain in this tooth---keeps reminding me--"I shouldn't have pain ---I had a root canal in the tooth." My hope today is that the procedure goes well and that they can use a medication to d-fret and d-stew him. Kat---help me to put this into perspective.

He is a trooper -- already up, showered, weighed (145.5), had coffee/breakfast, and reading the newspaper. Perspective is---this is another bump in the road and he remains an enigma. No Kat--I didn't say that!

Before closing---have a question for Maddie---Guess what I am eating right now for breakfast? Remember---it's our little secret---don't tell anyone.

It's probably easy to tell by today's entry---I am a little "goosey and tired" but not too tired to say thanks and to ask each one of you to continue the good thoughts and prayers coming Pop's way.

Love,
Mom

Mission accomplished

Got er done!-----Pop starts antibiotics today and has lab work in AM to assure we are a go for the tooth extraction tomorrow afternoon. Will break the news to Pop when he returns from McD's meeting. This is usually his down day following Monday's chemo---was surprised he drove to meeting this AM---think he is a bit distracted with plans of tomorrow's tooth extraction---Dah!

Love,
Mom

Guess what?

Preface: the new medication (Zometa) instructions--"you should be evaluated by your dentist at the start of this treatment. Any major dental work (tooth extractions, surgeries, etc.) need to be performed and mouth healed before the sixth dose."

Look closely at this picture---what you are seeing is the dentist telling Pop yesterday---"this tooth you had the root canal done in October has an abscess and now needs to be extracted." Soooo---Pop is off to the oral surgeon tomorrow to have the tooth extracted. Our new motto: "Let's just throw one more thing in the mix."

The knees of my jeans are worn out from praying in addition to pleading with Drs to "please work Pop in to be seen." Thus the early appointment to the dentist yesterday for x-rays, a filling and now off to the oral surgeon tomorrow. Pop is almost afraid to ask "what's on the agenda today?" Now, I do not need to ask--"how are you feeling?" Whenever I reach for the phone Pop tells me "I am great----who are you calling?"

Plan to call Dr. Moore's office today to tell them about the scheduled extraction, ask if we need any blood work and possibly an IV/oral antiobiotic prior to the extraction tomorrow. That should invoke another "who are you calling?" response.

Now, I call upon all of you to please continue the good thoughts and prayers coming Pop's way.

Love,
Mom

PS: Do have to mention---we either had a visit from the Land's End Fairy or one of our recent visitors left his new black shirt on the ironing board in the basement. Mailing the shirt (unironed) today. (LOL).

Pop's progress

Dr. Moore reviewed the CT scans and has added another IV medication to enhance bone growth. Thank God for Pop's Power Porta-Cath---It makes getting IV medications and chemo a breeze. Lab was great and he didn't need a transfusion!

Pop has another appointment in 3 weeks. In the meantime, Dr. Moore will review/research other options and consider changes in chemo. Interesting--we never get exact dates for appts or treatments while we are there---those come to us in the mail. Lucky we are retired---think if we were working--we would drive co-workers and bosses crazy with our attendance--or lack of--- or worse yet---have no jobs to return to following these appointments.

Pop remains in good spirits---goes with the flow---has great faith in Dr. Moore and confident he will come up with a great plan.

As always---I have a plan (that should get a laugh out of God) ---how about we all continue the good thoughts and prayers coming Pop's way.

Love,
Mom

Busy Day for Pop

Getting ready to put in an exciting day at the doctor's office. This should be an informative appointment---hopefully, also a constructive appointment.

Pop has come a long way in this journey. He is pain-free, regaining strength, stamina, endurance, keeping a good appetite, and able to do independent activities of daily living. That is major progress compared to the downward spiral beginning in August. Having been a nurse for almost 40 years---can tell you his "recovery" cannot be attributed to only medicine and MD's----it is by the grace of God that Pop has progressed to this state of well being.

So, I make my daily appeal to you---please continue to keep those good thoughts and prayers coming Pop's way.

Love,
Mom

More Waffles Today

Pop loves those waffles. Glad his appetite has returned---weighed in at 141.5 this AM. (Note--that is pre-waffle weight.)

Will make this simple---Pop is status quo---that is good!

MD appt tomorrow with Dr. Moore to obtain CT results, review lab work, discuss treatment plans, followed by chemo, and Epogen injection. (Getting this down to a science--we take a pillow, blanket, and pack a lunch for our all "day away.") Pop tolerates these sessions well. He reads, eats, snacks, snoozes. (I bring my MP3 player, a book, magazines, rosary, and try not to be intrusive.) Pop does better at all of this than I do---seems I have a motor inside of me that does not idle well.) Who would have thought we would have been spending our "days away" like this. It is a blessing to have Pop feeling better and worth every minute spent of our "day away" adventure.

I truly believe all of the thoughts and prayers sent Pop's way are better than any medicine. Thanks to all of you --- please continue to keep Pop in your good thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Mom

Hearty Breakfast for Pop

Now, add the butter, peanut butter, and syrup to this picture and you have one of Pop's perfect waffles. Pop's new waffle iron(s) are getting a work out. (Thinking of submitting his name to the Waffle Maker's Association of America (if there is one) to have sit in on their perfect waffle maker panel.)

Things are going well for Pop. He plans to drive to McD meeting, then take the truck to car wash. Know he will catch some TV BB games and may even go to another Hockey game this evening.

Thanks for keeping the good thoughts and prayers coming Pop's way!

Love,
Mom

PS: Thanks to all the followers for signing up on the list. Lilliash---where are you on the follower list?

Good Hemoglobin Report !

Yea---Wave that banner----today's hemoglobin was 9.0!!!


Love,
Mom

Lab work today

Having lab work today. Hopefully, the Monday transfusion did its magic and Pop won't need another transfusion today. Pop is holding his own, feeling better, good appetite, sleeping well, etc.

Having our family visit throughout this year has been very therapeutic---better than any medicine. Thank all of you for thinking of your dad and being here for him (me too.)

My constant request----please keep Pop in your thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Mom

Happy New Year!

Looking forward to a good New Year! Pop is feeling good---life is good!

Kurt, Linda, Ryan, and Maddie are leaving today. We have enjoyed their visit and will miss them. (The dogs will also miss all the loving and petting.)

We plan a quiet day sitting by the fireplace with the "boys" watching football.

Thanks to everyone who has been there for us this last year and please continue to keep Pop in your good thoughts and prayers. (Noted we now have 25 followers listed---wouldn't it be great to see 100+ on the list?---a special thanks to all for signing in as a follower.)

Love,
Mom