We're In Crisis Mode Now

I’ll confess that I have initiated a number of new blog entries over the last month and I have not completed one of them. The volume of words I have typed over the last thirty days easily surpasses, by an order of magnitude, that of any month since I began this blog.

The distressing news about Sandy has only increased, and seems inversely proportional to the ease with which I can communicate it.

The topics in each of the attempts were far reaching, including Hannah’s recent trip to Ohio to play for the Maryland U-13 lacrosse team, a recent NBAC swim meet, and Haley’s gymnastics injury. Her spinal injury could be an entry by itself. They included lacrosse tournaments for both girls’ SkyWalkers teams and mine, and the successful completion of the school year by both girls (with tremendous performances by both—we can forgive a single B in chorus, right?). Also during this time, all four of us went to Michigan to visit my mom as her health was declining. It was a warm, positive experience for all of us, despite the underlying sadness. I started to share the eerily parallel experience, as my mom struggles with the final moments of her war with cancer. As you would also expect, there were several attempts to synthesize Sandy’s struggles into bite size pieces, digestible by all. I get half way through, and the indigestion is prohibitive.

Simply put, we have been in crisis mode. Sandy was admitted to a Hospice inpatient facility late this afternoon. This was after several days of decline, where the pain and discomfort became overwhelming. Sandy was scheduled to have a single dose of radiation on the vertebra at C3 today, because of her broken neck, but she was just too sick to get out of bed and make it to Hopkins for treatment. When she finally made it out of bed at around noon, she collapsed on the floor. The medications are inadequate to manage her pain, and it became necessary to intensify the focus and attention to her comfort. She could only get this in an inpatient facility with consistent nursing attention.

As of this writing, we are hopeful that her discomfort can be managed effectively. We will take measures to prepare the house for her return, hopefully very soon. It is a terribly sad process to witness.

I apologize for how discontiguous this post must appear. As you probably gather, the crisis only deepens.

Please check back. I will try to fill in some of the gaps and keep this site updated.

Update on Kristina's Race & Couer D'Alene Link

Just in case you want to check on my "progress", my race number is 2297. So if you log into the Ford Coeur d'Alene Ironman, you can watch live stream. Don't expect me to finish before you go to bed though...I'll be on Pacific Coast Time.

http://www.ironmancda.com/

Yee Haw!!!

Kristina

A Milestone With A Purpose

Please read the following letter from our friend, Kristina. She and her family have remained close throughout this ordeal. Hannah has spent countless nights at their house while Sandy and I were spending our nights in hospitals (we generally leave Haley at home alone with an open bag of dog food...). Her letter and reference to Sandy and other cancer survivors is quite moving.

Take a look at the link provided in her letter-- she'll cover an ubelievable 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and then a full marathon!

Please join me in wishing her the best for her quest!


Dear All,

As many of you know, on Sunday, June 22nd I am undertaking my biggest athletic endeavor yet, the Coeur d'Alene Ironman. It amazes me how quickly the year has flown. Everyone who has been around me, especially Eric and the girls, will attest to the time commitment this undertaking has involved, not to mention my frequent bouts of distraction, crankiness and the "sore du jour". But despite all this, it has been a wonderful journey. I have learned a lot about myself and have grown to appreciate the support and importance of family and friends even more . You all are truly wonderful.

In gratitude, in an effort to give back, and to give my undertaking a higher purpose, I am dedicating my race to all those who have been impacted by cancer. It has touched my life, like so many others. Almost daily, I witness the courage and fortitude of a friend battling this disease and the strength and love of her family and friends who rally around her. What she and her family have had to deal with, each day, for the past three years is mind boggling. Participating in IronMan is my way to honor all these inspirational people who live with cancer. The Lance Armstrong Foundation is a convenient venue to help me in this undertaking. A donation from you goes towards research, counseling and assistance to families impacted by this disease. My website link is https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=259771&supid=200704680. .

So, if you care to give, that would be great, and if you can't, that's ok, too. I will be thinking of you regardless (I'll have 17 hours do that) and celebrating the difference you have made in my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Be Strong, but most importantly, Live Strong!

Kristina