"We are double-edged blades, and every time we whet our virtue the return stroke straps our vice."
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862).
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| Mom as Mother Theresa! |
Hi Lads!
Sad to report that Mom died yesterday around 1:00. It was a bit of a shock inasmuch as Corinne and I went over in the morning to see her and staff reported that she was very much improved. She had eaten most of a bowl of porridge, (one of her favourite foods), and downed a full glass of juice. Delighted with the news, we went to see her but the staff was changing her so we decided to deliver VIWF programs on GI, (one of our volunteer duties), before coming back. Finished around 12:30pm and came home for a bite of lunch and shortly thereafter we received a call to inform us that she was slipping away. We dropped everything and hurried over to find that she has stopped breathing moments before we arrived. Staff were very considerate and left us to sit with Mom after they had changed her gown. Even though we knew things might well happen like this, at any time, it is still tough, as I'm sure you can appreciate. Just very glad that we were home to be with her for even a few days.
Just to back up, Lodge phoned Monday morning as she had been sent to VGH for an x-ray. I visited her there and in discussion with doctor we agreed that it was best to return her to Broadway Lodge. He said he couldn't say for sure but he didn't think she would last more than a few days, if that. I visited her again, in the early afternoon as I had asked to be phoned when she arrived back in her room. I came home around 4:30pm to pick up a few things to read while I sit with her and hold her hand. While her breathing was extremely laboured, her grip was very firm.
On a slightly lighter note, I told her that she looked like Mother Teresa when I walked into her room. The staff had wrapped her up as she was shivering when she was delivered by ambulance. Coriandre came with me when I went back and she dabbed her forehead with a cool cloth while I cut her nails. Cora Lee had a release party for Jim Byrnes, just up the street from us at a recording studio on 1st, a block before Burrard. She really liked the cuts that were performed off I Hear the Wind in the Wires. Invitees were each presented with a copy of the CD so I'm looking forward to hearing it.
I stayed at Mom's bedside and spooned her an enriched drink. She seemed to relish the thickened liquid and I was very pleased to see that her swallowing reflex was not impaired. As well, she drank about half a glass of juice through a straw. If she could continue to take in such liquid nourishment the staff planned to give her a course of antibiotics. Given her state of health and age, (She was to turn 99 on September 22nd, as you might recall.), IV's were not be used but if she could manage to take in food orally, mixed with the medication, everyone felt she might well fight the pneumonia. In the recent past she had demonstrated just how tough she is, coming back from a heart attack while we were in Australia, this past April. Nevertheless, keeping her as comfortable as possible was really our main concern.
I spent about three hours at her bedside on Tuesday morning/afternoon and was very pleased that I was able to spoon her all of her protein shake and a full glass of thickened juice. Her blood pressure had gone up from the night before when Chloë visited so that was a good sign. Her breathing was still laboured but she seem comfortable when sleeping.
Cora Lee hosted a Friends of VPL bbq that evening and it was a lovely affair. We went downstairs to The Cave afterwards to visit with Flamin' and Sarge, just back from California that afternoon. Chloë came down after visiting Mom, once again at the end her shift, and reported that her blood pressure was holding in spite of her difficult respiration. Everyone was heartened and we all went to bed not dreading a call in the middle of the night.
As I mentioned above, given her seeming "rally" in the face of the very serious pneumonia, I suppose we all felt that she might pull through, much as she's done last April. I don't know for sure but I surmise that her poor heart may simply have finally not been strong enough after putting up such a valiant fight.
We spent most of this morning removing all her possessions from her room. Simpler to use a large dolly to wheel all the cartons from the Lodge to our place. The Annexe is now filled with boxes of pictures and ornaments that we will need to sift through when we have time. (Bev/Kevin Wittwer, from Perth, arrive tomorrow, for two weeks, and Greg, my brother-in-law from Winnipeg left last night.) After we had finished, Chloë and Corinne took four large boxes/bags to the Salvation Army Thrift Store on 4th and Mom's TV to their outlet on Broadway and 12th. Corinne had saved some of the nicer items of clothing and jewelry to give to Dodie, Mom's friend there. Once home, I was on the phone to Affordable Crematorium & Burial Ltd., the funeral home nominated by the Memorial Society, Canada Service, Manitoba Civil Service Superannuation Board, to make all the necessary arrangements, cancellation notices for pensions, etc. All of the service personnel I dealt with were extremely considerate, efficient and helpful so I have managed to accomplish much of the needed paperwork.
Given all of the above, not quite sure about riding in the next little while. That being said, I'm going out for a short jaunt shortly, just to to get a bit of exercise. If people are around on the weekend, I'd probably be up for something so please keep me posted.
Will say goodbye for now. Signing off as Patrizzio, "The Perfect Son"! Mom actually squeezed my hand when I said those words when I first saw her after our return. Whether by coincidence or not one cannot say, of course. However, it would be wonderful to think that she could hear and understand a few things. A number of years ago, at the dinner table, this is how she referred to me, causing quite a furor, as you can well imagine, among those friends and relatives at the table, engendering particularly hostile responses from Cora Lee and Chloë!) Cheers, PPS!
Sad to report that Mom died yesterday around 1:00. It was a bit of a shock inasmuch as Corinne and I went over in the morning to see her and staff reported that she was very much improved. She had eaten most of a bowl of porridge, (one of her favourite foods), and downed a full glass of juice. Delighted with the news, we went to see her but the staff was changing her so we decided to deliver VIWF programs on GI, (one of our volunteer duties), before coming back. Finished around 12:30pm and came home for a bite of lunch and shortly thereafter we received a call to inform us that she was slipping away. We dropped everything and hurried over to find that she has stopped breathing moments before we arrived. Staff were very considerate and left us to sit with Mom after they had changed her gown. Even though we knew things might well happen like this, at any time, it is still tough, as I'm sure you can appreciate. Just very glad that we were home to be with her for even a few days.
Just to back up, Lodge phoned Monday morning as she had been sent to VGH for an x-ray. I visited her there and in discussion with doctor we agreed that it was best to return her to Broadway Lodge. He said he couldn't say for sure but he didn't think she would last more than a few days, if that. I visited her again, in the early afternoon as I had asked to be phoned when she arrived back in her room. I came home around 4:30pm to pick up a few things to read while I sit with her and hold her hand. While her breathing was extremely laboured, her grip was very firm.
On a slightly lighter note, I told her that she looked like Mother Teresa when I walked into her room. The staff had wrapped her up as she was shivering when she was delivered by ambulance. Coriandre came with me when I went back and she dabbed her forehead with a cool cloth while I cut her nails. Cora Lee had a release party for Jim Byrnes, just up the street from us at a recording studio on 1st, a block before Burrard. She really liked the cuts that were performed off I Hear the Wind in the Wires. Invitees were each presented with a copy of the CD so I'm looking forward to hearing it.
I stayed at Mom's bedside and spooned her an enriched drink. She seemed to relish the thickened liquid and I was very pleased to see that her swallowing reflex was not impaired. As well, she drank about half a glass of juice through a straw. If she could continue to take in such liquid nourishment the staff planned to give her a course of antibiotics. Given her state of health and age, (She was to turn 99 on September 22nd, as you might recall.), IV's were not be used but if she could manage to take in food orally, mixed with the medication, everyone felt she might well fight the pneumonia. In the recent past she had demonstrated just how tough she is, coming back from a heart attack while we were in Australia, this past April. Nevertheless, keeping her as comfortable as possible was really our main concern.
I spent about three hours at her bedside on Tuesday morning/afternoon and was very pleased that I was able to spoon her all of her protein shake and a full glass of thickened juice. Her blood pressure had gone up from the night before when Chloë visited so that was a good sign. Her breathing was still laboured but she seem comfortable when sleeping.
Cora Lee hosted a Friends of VPL bbq that evening and it was a lovely affair. We went downstairs to The Cave afterwards to visit with Flamin' and Sarge, just back from California that afternoon. Chloë came down after visiting Mom, once again at the end her shift, and reported that her blood pressure was holding in spite of her difficult respiration. Everyone was heartened and we all went to bed not dreading a call in the middle of the night.
As I mentioned above, given her seeming "rally" in the face of the very serious pneumonia, I suppose we all felt that she might pull through, much as she's done last April. I don't know for sure but I surmise that her poor heart may simply have finally not been strong enough after putting up such a valiant fight.
We spent most of this morning removing all her possessions from her room. Simpler to use a large dolly to wheel all the cartons from the Lodge to our place. The Annexe is now filled with boxes of pictures and ornaments that we will need to sift through when we have time. (Bev/Kevin Wittwer, from Perth, arrive tomorrow, for two weeks, and Greg, my brother-in-law from Winnipeg left last night.) After we had finished, Chloë and Corinne took four large boxes/bags to the Salvation Army Thrift Store on 4th and Mom's TV to their outlet on Broadway and 12th. Corinne had saved some of the nicer items of clothing and jewelry to give to Dodie, Mom's friend there. Once home, I was on the phone to Affordable Crematorium & Burial Ltd., the funeral home nominated by the Memorial Society, Canada Service, Manitoba Civil Service Superannuation Board, to make all the necessary arrangements, cancellation notices for pensions, etc. All of the service personnel I dealt with were extremely considerate, efficient and helpful so I have managed to accomplish much of the needed paperwork.
Given all of the above, not quite sure about riding in the next little while. That being said, I'm going out for a short jaunt shortly, just to to get a bit of exercise. If people are around on the weekend, I'd probably be up for something so please keep me posted.
Will say goodbye for now. Signing off as Patrizzio, "The Perfect Son"! Mom actually squeezed my hand when I said those words when I first saw her after our return. Whether by coincidence or not one cannot say, of course. However, it would be wonderful to think that she could hear and understand a few things. A number of years ago, at the dinner table, this is how she referred to me, causing quite a furor, as you can well imagine, among those friends and relatives at the table, engendering particularly hostile responses from Cora Lee and Chloë!) Cheers, PPS!
condolences from we three
P,
I just tried to call ya -- condolences from all of us here to all of you.
We will toast to Annie when we can and will speak when it is convenient for you.
Mark and I hope to ride again Saturday. Best wishes, W
Pat,
Your mother lived well to a good,
old age and both you and Corinne deserve credit for supporting her so
well. A very sad time but also a celebration of a good life for a very
tough lady.
I have been extremely busy of late
with kitchen reno in progress, painting the exterior walls of a house in
West Van (one of Peter's clients about to sell), as well as an hour and
a half of tutoring each morning.
Pete, Rod and I are thinking about a
ride to Steveston Saturday morning, probably about 8am. I'll inform
George also and hopefully you are both available.. I'll confirm details
tomorrow. Ray
Hello Pat, Kevin and Bev – Juhli and I are heading over to the Mainland, Tuesday, September 4th. And planning to stay until Sunday, September 9th.
We
have a few things to do when we’re in town – Juhli has some shopping
needs, we have some business meetings and hopefully, catch-up with some
long-time friends, including
you guys.
We’ll
be staying with Juhli’s brother and family over on the East Side, close
to Knight Street, which will make for easy access to all points of our
visit.
Once we’re on the Mainland, the
ONLY way to maintain contact with us, is through our cell phone.
Pat, we’re open to a barbeque on either of those days, Wednesday the 5th. Or Thursday the 6th. Even on the weekend, if you prefer. Your decision…
The
attachment is a photo I took at Sointula, (on Malcolm Island,) accessed
by BC Ferries, from Port McNeill, BC. It’s Finnish for “No Smoking”
that was posted in many places
at a gas bar close to the BC Ferry Dock.
If you lined up 5 million pets, they would stretch from LA to Detroit. That's how many shelter pets have been saved by our friends at PetSmart Charities. BugZ is a rescue dog and the star of PUPPY LOVE, premiering September 8 only on Hallmark Channel USA
Patrick James Dunn Molly's big brother?
Ayn P Could be! I met Bug Z recently at one of our press events...great dog.
Remembering Basil Stuart-Stubbs
Remembering Basil Stuart-Stubbs
There
will be a Celebration of Life to honour Basil Stuart-Stubbs, University
Librarian at UBC from 1964 to 1981 and the Director of UBC’s School of
Library, Archival and Information Studies (SLAIS)
from 1981 to 1992, on Sunday, September 16th at 2:00 p.m. at Sage
Bistro (the former UBC Faculty Club) located at the University Centre. The nearest parking is the Rose
Garden Parkade.
No RSVP is required. Attendees are requested to arrive by 2:00 p.m.
Hi Patrick,
Attached are the forms needed to be signed and initialed. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you, Melissa M. Affordable Cremation & Burial Ltd.
8^) George,
An afternoon ride works for me; rain not withstanding. Thoughts on a route? cheers, Mark
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| Aberdeen! |
Mark,
I
will bicycle with Tia up to UBC to drop her at Kerry’s work. I am
thinking of leaving home at 2: PM. You could ride with us, a little
plodding but okay, and then we could ride from UBC. Alternately, I
could drop her at UBC and meet you somewhere else.
Lemme know, G
Sounds good - I'll be at your place by 2:00. 8^) cheers, Mark
P,
P,
In case you can join us. Give us an update on your mother when you can. W
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