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.