We had a very successful Blood Drive in Kim's honor today.
The American Red Cross told Karla that they would consider it a success if they could gather 30 units. Karla's drive collected 38 pints of blood. There were 47 people that showed up but not everyone was eligible to give. Good try though. What was truly amazing was that there were so many 1st time donors. I think Rod counted 15 first timers.
We also discovered the tattle tale sign of when a person is getting light headed and just may pass out. Their lips turn white! Luke demonstrated. Then the blood left Luke’s face and he started sweating around the hair line. I am still so proud of him for giving!
Besides Luke, other family members that stepped up to be first timers were Liz, Jerome, Brad, Janelle and Monte. We really love that they supported this cause.
We think that Kim was happy and proud of us.
When I called down to see how Kim was doing today, she was resting. Jess said that she had a good nights sleep in her own bed and feeling a bit better.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Giving Back
There is a real sense of “giving back” that has been instilled in us. Thanks Mom and Dad.
Kim has led the charge in many ways and has been a real role model for not only us but the next two generations as well.
The Syracuse Chamber of Commerce called her the “Grinch” last Christmas. AND she was the best Grinch too. She proudly wore the Green. She dressed as a Grinch, collecting food and coin for the area food bank. Kim single handedly collected more money than all other solicitors combined. That’s our Kim …..err I mean…. Grinch.
That is just one example but she has set the bar high. Her niece, Karla follows the good examples set by her elders.
In honor of Kim, Karla has organized a Blood Drive . Karla called the Red Cross after her Aunt Kim recently needed 4 units. She asked what it would take to host the Blood drive. Their answer was…… volunteers. Easy (for Karla). Karla got on the phone, email and internet and started asking something like… “Would you save a life today if you could?” She contacted former high school friends, co-workers, business neighbors, sorority and facebook friends. To family it was a bit more of a strong arm technique. The reminder of how Kim has benefited from this kind of gift and a clear word picture of what Kim has been through with her treatments got several first timers to sign up. We would do anything for Kim or Karla. The commitments came with a promise from Karla to the hold hands of those still a bit nervous.
So, tomorrow afternoon (Friday) the Red Cross Blood Mobile will be parked in the Hobby Lobby/EnSite parking lot on Millard Avenue. Karla will be holding hands, first timers will be nervous, Grandma Sandy will be serving juice and sandwiches, Gail will be providing daycare to young parents, others will be checking people in and most of us will be giving blood. Kim will be honored and I believe she will be happy and proud of us.
AND if you are in the area… stop and give a pint, hold a hand or honk as you go by in support of saving a life and honoring a brave warrior, Kim. AND if you are one of those giving blood. drink lots of water.
I will let you know how the day goes.
Jan Snyder
Kim has led the charge in many ways and has been a real role model for not only us but the next two generations as well.
The Syracuse Chamber of Commerce called her the “Grinch” last Christmas. AND she was the best Grinch too. She proudly wore the Green. She dressed as a Grinch, collecting food and coin for the area food bank. Kim single handedly collected more money than all other solicitors combined. That’s our Kim …..err I mean…. Grinch.
That is just one example but she has set the bar high. Her niece, Karla follows the good examples set by her elders.
In honor of Kim, Karla has organized a Blood Drive . Karla called the Red Cross after her Aunt Kim recently needed 4 units. She asked what it would take to host the Blood drive. Their answer was…… volunteers. Easy (for Karla). Karla got on the phone, email and internet and started asking something like… “Would you save a life today if you could?” She contacted former high school friends, co-workers, business neighbors, sorority and facebook friends. To family it was a bit more of a strong arm technique. The reminder of how Kim has benefited from this kind of gift and a clear word picture of what Kim has been through with her treatments got several first timers to sign up. We would do anything for Kim or Karla. The commitments came with a promise from Karla to the hold hands of those still a bit nervous.
So, tomorrow afternoon (Friday) the Red Cross Blood Mobile will be parked in the Hobby Lobby/EnSite parking lot on Millard Avenue. Karla will be holding hands, first timers will be nervous, Grandma Sandy will be serving juice and sandwiches, Gail will be providing daycare to young parents, others will be checking people in and most of us will be giving blood. Kim will be honored and I believe she will be happy and proud of us.
AND if you are in the area… stop and give a pint, hold a hand or honk as you go by in support of saving a life and honoring a brave warrior, Kim. AND if you are one of those giving blood. drink lots of water.
I will let you know how the day goes.
Jan Snyder
We Like to Make Doctors Happy
The procedure went well. The doctors were pleased. They were unsure that they could do any good and may even cause something that would require emergency surgery. My understanding is that they went in much like a colonoscopy and placed a stint in the collapsed colon area. The tumor had been pressing on the colon which caused nothing to pass. She was not keeping things down, eating or passing anything through. Her tumor is getting pretty large and she has quite a bit of fluid building up around her lungs and in her abdomen. She felt miserable and was in lots of pain.
The doctors were afraid that they might tear or perforate the angry colon. If this happened they were not sure she could survive a surgery that would have to happen..
After the procedure, they ran test and were pleased that the stint was holding and they could find no holes. They will run the test again this morning and if it was still good, they will send her home.
by Jan Snyder
Update 8 pm
Kim got home late this afternoon. "Kamp Kim" had a few team members there waiting her arrival. Some had gone out to her home to clean house and put a smile on her face. No one wants to get home from the hospital and have to worry about laundry or the vaccum cleaner!
Welcome home, Kim. We love you!
The doctors were afraid that they might tear or perforate the angry colon. If this happened they were not sure she could survive a surgery that would have to happen..
After the procedure, they ran test and were pleased that the stint was holding and they could find no holes. They will run the test again this morning and if it was still good, they will send her home.
by Jan Snyder
Update 8 pm
Kim got home late this afternoon. "Kamp Kim" had a few team members there waiting her arrival. Some had gone out to her home to clean house and put a smile on her face. No one wants to get home from the hospital and have to worry about laundry or the vaccum cleaner!
Welcome home, Kim. We love you!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Family Traditions
52 of us gathered at the park last weekend. Not all spent the night but we did occupy 4 cabins. We ate, we hiked, we swam, we paddled boats, we rode horses, we cooked smores, we grilled hot dogs, we told stories, we went on scavenger hunts, we went in a tipi, we climbed towers and we played "lawn chair". Mostly we enjoyed the company of good people and the memories of past park visits. Kim was not able to do the physical activities like the others but she was able to watch her grandkids pick up where her kids left off all those years ago. Kim was able to add to the stories of past years and be an important part of making this visit a memory.
This outing was something Kim planned and organized months ago. This was an annual summer event when our kids were young. It was important to reenact and refresh these great memories.
Kim has been in a great deal of discomfort for the last couple of weeks. She has not been able to eat or keep anything down. She has been in and out of the hospital several times getting checks and fluids. Kim really wanted to be patched up enough to head to Platte River Park for a family camp out. Kim left the hospital on Saturday to head for Kamp Kim at the park. Nurse Becky ordered the IV packs to take and administer at the park and Mom, Dad and Kim were assigned to the "Quiet" Cabin.
We could all tell that she was struggling to be up for our park weekend. The elephant in room was that we knew/felt like her cancer was getting the best of her. Shane took Kim home on Sunday evening.
On Tuesday, Shane took Kim into UNMC for some tests. The results were not what we were hoping for, but not un-expected either. The cancer is spreading. They are stopping the chemo treatments and working to make Kim more comfortable. She is having a procedure done at 10am today to try & relieve the pressure/pain. This is considered risky – please say an extra prayer for her at this time.
Kim is in recovery now - the doctors have told us that it was a procedure by scope (not a surgery - no incisions). We have been told it went as well as it can be expected. There is family at the hospital with her keeping us updated... the hope for today is that this will provide her some much needed relief from pressure and pain.
This outing was something Kim planned and organized months ago. This was an annual summer event when our kids were young. It was important to reenact and refresh these great memories.
Kim has been in a great deal of discomfort for the last couple of weeks. She has not been able to eat or keep anything down. She has been in and out of the hospital several times getting checks and fluids. Kim really wanted to be patched up enough to head to Platte River Park for a family camp out. Kim left the hospital on Saturday to head for Kamp Kim at the park. Nurse Becky ordered the IV packs to take and administer at the park and Mom, Dad and Kim were assigned to the "Quiet" Cabin.
We could all tell that she was struggling to be up for our park weekend. The elephant in room was that we knew/felt like her cancer was getting the best of her. Shane took Kim home on Sunday evening.
On Tuesday, Shane took Kim into UNMC for some tests. The results were not what we were hoping for, but not un-expected either. The cancer is spreading. They are stopping the chemo treatments and working to make Kim more comfortable. She is having a procedure done at 10am today to try & relieve the pressure/pain. This is considered risky – please say an extra prayer for her at this time.
Kim is in recovery now - the doctors have told us that it was a procedure by scope (not a surgery - no incisions). We have been told it went as well as it can be expected. There is family at the hospital with her keeping us updated... the hope for today is that this will provide her some much needed relief from pressure and pain.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Ms. Liberty
I had a wonderful 4th of July weekend. Spent it with family at my cousin Bill's house in Minnesota. Avis and Bill Kennel were great host. It was a huge family reunion, weather was nice, food was great, other then the long ride it was a perfect weekend. I had treatment this week on mon. and thrus. labs were good except for my calcium. They gave me some through my port to boost it. Today is my grandsons 3rd. birthday ( Liz's little boy Jerome) We will be celebrating this weekend, that is always a good time when I can spend it with my grandkids. I hope everyone has a great weekend and once again thank you for your support, I need you. LOVE KIM
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