Mother | Jackieinpdx's Blog

My mother – May she rest in peace

Posted on December 28, 2009 by jackieinpdx

Mother at her 80th birthday party

Helen Louise

June 27, 1929 – December 28, 2009

My mother passed away this morning about 9:30AM. It was about 6 weeks ago that she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She was admitted to the hospital Saturday as she was very dehydrated and had a lot of pain in her stomach. The CAT scan showed air in her stomach and liver lining and in an artery. The decision was made late yesterday afternoon to take her off all meds and give her morphine to try to make her comfortable. She went into a coma last night and was gone this morning as I said around 9:30. She made it to Christmas which was her favorite day of the year.

After all of the family in the area came to say our goodbye’s mother’s eyes were going to be donated to Devers Eye Institute. Although she was blind in one eye from a stroke years ago and had been treated for glaucoma they said that she would be an excellent donor for research purposes.

My mother had the foresight a few years ago to make cremation plans through the Neptune Society. We will have a small memorial service in three weeks or so.

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Your’e never too old for Christmas, right?

Posted on December 20, 2009 by jackieinpdx

My mother may be 80 but she loves stuffed animals especially those that make noise and move. She has most of her Christmas stuffed animals on display in her bedroom suite. These photos are of just some of the decorations and stuffed animals in her bedroom. She has more on display in the hallway outside her bedroom.

You are never too old for Christmas, right?

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I’m thankful for…

Posted on November 26, 2009 by jackieinpdx

Although the last few weeks have been rough I do have a lot to be thankful for.

My mother has stage 4 cancer, lungs, colon, lymph nodes and liver. But I am thankful that she is alive and recently celebrated her 80th birthday.

My daughter Tara survived not one but two cardiac arrests 11 years apart. I am thankful that she survived both times and that the second time the doctors got to the root cause. I am thankful that I do have my wonderful daughter and the her husband living close by.

I am thankful that all of my siblings and their families are in good health.

I am thankful that I do have a job with good health benefits and a decent salary.

I am thankful that I have such wonderful friends who are there for me when I need someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on.

I am thankful that I have an apartment on Isla now so I don’t have to haul everything back and forth when I visit.

Everyone take a moment today to think about the things you are thankful for. You may be surprised by how long your list is. This is just my short list.

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36 years ago today…

Posted on September 22, 2009 by jackieinpdx

Happy birthday to my beautiful daughter Tara!

PHotos for Tara-146

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Two things in my Mother’s yard that must go

Posted on August 19, 2009 by jackieinpdx

This stupid croaking frog

And

Seen better days parrot

Don’t even get me started on the raccoons. Why would someone need fake racoons in a flower bed when they try to keep the live one out? Hello? I just couldn’t take a photo of the raccoons or for that matter what my 8 year old great niece calls the “scary gnome”.

Thankfully my Mother’s beautiful flowers make up for the tacky yard art. More of Mother’s flowers.

This flower is on it’s last leg but still pretty.

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