Anything Funny?

As I know from following others who have had caringbridge sites for serious and not so serious illnesses, checking the site can get addictive.  So even though Jan posted this morning I will give a short update.  Many of you have commented how the humor Jan and Gail write into their postings helps us deal with the sadness of Kim losing her battle.

 About midmorning mom called from Kim’s to ask if I would bring a commode out.  It seemed that Kim was much weaker this morning than she was last night.  Nothing funny about that.  Cheryl, Jan, Mom, Shane and Jess were all there when I arrived. Because of Kim’s declining condition Shane was calling Liz at work to see if she wanted to come down.  Of course she and Jerome did even though Kim would have told her to stay at work.  Jess was talking to Lori at work and by lunch time the house was full.  Sister Gail was getting a haircut, which had probably been rescheduled several times. Yesterday Gail told Kim that the next time she saw her she would be a red head.  Now that is funny. Won’t be long and we will know. 

Emily the hospice nurse arrived on her journey across SE Nebraska.  She evaluated Kim changed her medications to liquid because of the problems Kim is having swallowing and tried to help us understand what to expect and how to help the grandchildren deal with all this.  Still doesn’t seem like there is anything humorous to report.  However I do remember laughing and crying through the conversations.  Living in a small community I know several people that had reported to me that Emily (she is from Lincoln) helped take care of so and so and she was great.  I was happy to get to meet her.  She is great.

Shane welcomed all of us into their home and encouraged us to wake Kim to say hello and share our thoughts.  I thought this would be very hard to do.  Kim and Shane made it easier than I expected.  I told Kim I loved her, we talked about grandchildren growing up, she asked if my boys would mind being pallbearers (to which I said they would be honored) and then she asked for a McDonald’s McRib.  Now that was funny.

On the subject of food you might think that the stress and heartache of losing a family member would take your appetite away but we decided to set out the wonderful leftovers for everyone to help themselves.  Kim’s friends have supplied us good nourishment for both our bodies and our souls.

Before I left Shane’s parents and other sister Michelle arrived to visit Kim.  They were followed by Willie, Kim’s brother, who was bringing Kim a new shirt – SYRACUSE VOLLEYBALL.  When Mackenzie asked who wanted team t-shirts Kim was one of the first to place her order.  Kim will look great sporting that t-shirt; hope the team looks great in their season opener tonight.  Go Rockets.

I just called out to the Kirchhoff’s and Jan said Gail is not a red head. More family has come to visit.  I thought I would go out on a limb and ask Jan if she was out of her pajamas yet, guess what, she isn’t! Willie told her that at this point she might as well leave them on.  Now THAT might be funny however mom would think it is normal.  Jan you are your mother’s daughter. 
With love,
Sister Terri