Carole's Service

Please read this post by Shents for a beautiful and touching account of Carole's service.

For Our Favorite Pencil Sharpener

Hi Ang. We are sending you calm and peaceful thoughts as you start back on chemo today.

And something else to keep in mind...

You have our prayers as well.
Much luv, Steve and Carla

A Stitch in Time

So I am going to bed shortly because I get to wake up at 4:30 tomorrow morning. That's because I will be checking into the hospital at 6:00 a.m. for a 7:20 surgery. Remember that incisional hernia I mentioned a few weeks back? It's fix it time.

Plan A is to go in laparoscopically, patch things up, examine the rest of my incision from the inside, maybe have the surgeon tattoo mine and Carla's initials on the back side of my naval and then send me home tomorrow afternoon. I am feeling bloated already.

Here's to a restful weekend.

Forwarded Update on Carole

From Carole's Facebook page:

"Update on Carole. Since being taken into hospital by ambulance early hours Thursday morning, my lovely sister Carole is loosing the flight. She will be moved from the hospital into the hospice when a bed is available where they will care for her on her final journey which I wish to be kind and peaceful for her"

From the UK Cancer Chat forum:

Hi everyone, my name is Sarah. I am Carole's little sister. Carole has given me permission to use her account and I just wanted to thank you all soooo much for all the support you have given to my sister over the last 2 years. I believe, that just by having somewhere to come and vent and also be able to support others has somehow made this illness easier to bear. Although, I can't imagine what my sister has had to go through or any of you for that case, it gave me hope that my sister had such good cyber friends and that you all take the time to pick one another up, even if its with just a few words.

No one should be alone through times of illness, worry, stress and confusion. I see there are many people on here that were not as lucky as my sis and not having the love of family or friends around them. This is something I would dread in my life and am grateful for this forum that you all can find yourself grabbing some sane moments from others that actually care online.

Anyway, I'm not great at writing, my sis to me always wrote beautifully. Those of you that read her blog may agree. She encouraged me to "blog" my way through living in Greece the last 2 years, but I was useless. Now however, I wish I did as there are many moments that I would have liked to re read as life seems to go to quickly. However, I did blog about her visit to see me in Rhodes last March so it will be lovely to have that clear memory in writing and photos.

So guys, Update on my lovely sis,

"Carole was moved into the hospice today where she can rest for her final journey. Her wish is to NOT have visitors outside of our immediate family. I'm sure you can understand that. She has no energy at all now and cannot do much for herself apart from sipping a drink. She still has much pain but I believe my sister will be at peace very soon. Anytime will be too soon for me selfishly but I want her to have her wish and die peacefully and with dignity. I sat with her yesterday for 4 hours and held her hand. She told me how much she loves me and I told her how much I love her. We have been best friends since she was expecting her baby James, 31 years ago. I was 11 years old and she was just 19. I will miss her terribly, but for now I will stay strong as it is not me that is dying. I will visit her tomorrow and will come back to update you all."

Love and peace to you all.

Sarah (lit sis) xx

Sarah and Carole in Rhodes

We love you, Carole!

You have a gift of making people feel like they are your best friend and that they are special. No one feels so alone in your love. You genuinely care for others. Thank you for your support, your friendship, and your love.

We are with you on your final journey.

All our love, thoughts and prayers,
Steve, Carla and Family