Request for Dear Friends

Please keep in your thoughts and prayers John B., a dear friend and his family members. John is critically ill and under the care of hospice. Pop considered John his "survival resource." Their friendship spanned over 45+ years and remained strong up to Pop's passing. Pop cherished the friendship and meetings with John and the "boys" for the McD daily coffee gathering.

Again, please keep John, Betty, and Bobby close to your hearts in thoughts and prayers as they go along this journey.

Love,
Mom

Tribute to friend

Wanted to share article placed in Wichita Eagle on 03/19/2009 by dear friends---Thanks Susie and Keith.

Tribute to friend
On March 4 we lost a lifelong friend, Raymond "Sonny" Ashpole, after a courageous battle with cancer. After his retirement, he had spent many hours at the McDonald's at 21st and Amidon with his support group, discussing the problems of the world and taking advantage of the "senior" coffee.
It was very rewarding to drive by and see the message "We will miss you Ray, Sonny" on the McDonald's marquee. We know it has made his family and friends feel a little better to see him remembered in such a manner.
Thank you, McDonald's, for the personal tribute to our friend.
SUSIE and KEITH WIRTHS
Wichita
Love,
Julie

Ashpole Family Update

To all of our friends and loved ones.

Raymond Riley Ashpole (Ray, Sonny)

After a valiant and courageous fight against cancer without ever voicing complaint, but declaring that "he had good life", Ray Ashpole, 71 passed away on March 4. His love of sports, friends, and golf was surpassed only by his love of family. He was preceded in death by children Ken and Kelli and survived by wife Julia, daughters Terry Clamp, Vicki Breig, and Kathy Ashpole, sons Keith Ashpole, Kevin Ashpole and Kurt Ashpole, 17 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren. He was well known and loved by the residents of north Wichita and his presence will be sorely missed at Thunder games, high school sporting events, Echo Hills golf course and at McDonald's daily coffee "meetings". In lieu of flowers, the family asks that in memory of Ray, you value every moment of the time you're given and treasure the family and friends that surround you.

Pop's passing was peaceful at home this afternoon. He requested no services and we will honor those wishes. Our family thanks each and everyone of you for your thoughts, prayers, cards, etc.

Love,
Julie and family

Ashpole Family Update

Off to MD appts this AM/PM for review of 02/09/2009 CT report. Pop is still having lower back discomfort (go figure--- the CT was of the thorax area.) Have discussed today's appt with Pop and told him to tell the MD's about his discomfort and don't say---"I feel pretty good." Lots of appts next week---Pop will have clab chemo (Mon) a yearly eye exam (Tues) and a colonoscopy (prep Wed/test on Thursday). Bring on Friday!!!!!

Don't know about others but I am eagerly awaiting spring---Bring it on Friday!!!! Seriously, I do have tulips popping out of the ground and hopefully will see hyacinth and crocus soon. Really need more sunshine, clear skies, and the distraction of working in the flower beds and watching things grow.

Found some more Kelli pics: Speaking of watching things grow. This girl had a green thumb---take a look at all of the plants on the greenhouse shelf. Growing season in CO is much different than KS. Things grow later but such beautiful specimens. The covered container in the lower right contained herb seedlings that she actually snipped and used in food preparation. The greenhouse this January was full of cacti---more varieties than you could imagine and the pots were amazing.
Bruce and Kelli had a great time planning this green house addition. It is more like a solarium than a green house.

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

Love, Mom

Ashpole Family Update

Pop is feeling well after chemo. Usually this is his down day. He is out and about this AM and feeling better than usual. Retraction: Pop just came home from McD meeting--says--"I'm having a gloomy day"----translation after much discussion, prompting, and charade like motions----"worn out." Went to bed to take a nap.

Have to brag about my grand-dog (on the right). Pic taken last summer at a dog fest in CO. Jax is adjusting well to doggie day care and Bruce is planning on taking him in to the office for a day or two each week. He is such a sweet well behaved dog. He was such a wonderful "fur kid" for Kelli.

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

Thanks!

Love, Mom

Ashpole Family Update

Surprise chemo yesterday. Pop has had to skip several chemo sessions due to low platelets. Platelets were up enough to get 1/2 dose yesterday. Hgb was 10.2 (highest yet)----yea, find that blood donor---we want more!!! CT was also done. Plan to call Dr. Moore's nurse today and request copy of CT report be sent to Dr. Kelley so we can discuss it at appt on Thursday or MD's can collaborate and we can have more effective appts. (see Dr. Kelley in AM and Dr. Moore in PM). Back is better.

Kelli pic: Thanksgiving 2006. Think Kathy and Kelli were up to something---most likely no good or fun--would venture to think it was cooking up a prank. What a wonderful Thanksgiving!

As always, thanks so much for all the condolances and gestures of love for our family. We continue to ask for your good thoughts and prayers.

Love, Mom

Ashpole Family Update

Happy Birthday to Hayli and Matt!!! Hope you both have a great day! We have several family members who share the same birthday.

Pop went to the hockey game with Kevin last night. Took him to breakfast at Riverside Cafe this AM. The weather is beautiful--great to get out and about. Pop plans to go to golf course then McD's meeting. May even go to another hockey game tonight. Still having some "back stiffness", using heat and gets relief.

This pic of Bruce and Jax taken by Kelli following her visit here in November. Per Kelli's blog entry following that visit: "I'm back home to my Klepper men. They survived without me while I was in Kansas. Bruce took Jax to work each day and I'm sure it helped boost morale. Ray has greatly improved and I'm happy that he is back home.We have been getting snow and also the cold temperatures." Bruce takes Jax to a doggie day care every day. Please keep Bruce in your daily thoughts and prayers as he continues to process the sad loss in his life. We are so grateful that Kelli had such a loving soul mate. She loved her life and loved her "guys."

Linda's dad was released from the hospital yesterday. That is great news. Take care of yourself Ernie!

Please also keep our entire family in your thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Mom

Ashpole Family Update

Two units of red blood cells aboard, rosy cheeks, breathing better, and waffles for breakfast should get Pop off to the races today. Pop does admit to feeling better except for the low to mid back pain. Pop feels it is muscular--we rub it and it gets better--so keep your fingers crossed that it is just muscle.

Weather report: It is currently 50 degrees, sun shining, slightly windy and a beautiful day. Know Pop plans a road trip to the golf course and McD meeting. Think the sunny warm days will pick him up a bit. Pop gets real quiet at times----too much think time inside the house doing nothing---not good for Pop. Know the loss of Kelli is also weighing sadly upon and within him as with all of us.

Had to include a Klepper walkway picture. They had the cedar box built to hide some utilities. Kelli was always working on a project, really creative, so enjoyed being at home and working with her plants ---the girl had a green thunb.

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

Love, Mom

Ashpole Family Update

Off to have lab (CBC and most likely also a type and cross-match) then wouldn't be surprised if Pop will go to hospital to have transfusion. Pop is okay---he requested I call MD office yesterday to ask that lab be done before Monday. I think this is a wise decision. Pop has felt bummed out the last coule of days---needs a re-fueling!

More later---

Love,

Mom

Ashpole Family Update

Today is Orion's first birthday! Happy Birthday Ori!!! Party planned in in NJ on 02/16/2009. Wouldn't it be fun to attend? Wish we could---hate the geographical distance between all of us.

Speaking of birthdays--another pic of Kelli watching "home movies" at Bruce's 50th birthday celebration. That was a great day for her---she loved entertaining and was in her element. (Click to enlarge pic).

We are off to lab and chemo today--may also throw in a transfusion --(last weeks hgb was 9.1).

Kelli and Jax at a CO dog event. Kelli loved her pugs and would be absolutely delighted with the turn out of donations that have been made in her name to COpugrescue.org. I always told her if I was born into a religion that believed in reincarnation I would want to return as one of her pugs. (Click to enlarge pic).

Asking Linda to put a comment on about her dad's status so you can follow later in the day for that. It is difficult to connect with time changes, phone availability, schedules, etc. Thanks Linda for keeping us up to date.

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

Love,

Mom

Ashpole Family Day of Rest

Let's be thankful for having a close wonderful family. My wish for all of you today would be to take care of yourselves and have a good day of rest.
Love,
Mom

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