Well, Aaron did get to go to Disney. She, Glenda, the kids and Paula (friend and Hospice aide) with Paula's daughter flew to Orlando on June 2. Aaron's brother Adam and his wife Shauna met them there. Aaron was well enough to only go on one ride - but Tif had a wonderful time with Adam and Shauna and Kyle had a lot of fun with Paula. Aaron was brought back to NY via ICU Jet on Thursday and immediately went to the hospital.
She had ups and downs over the course of the next two weeks. Ann Marie came from Denver as did Aaron's dad. Aunt Kim came from KY for about a week. Two weeks to the day that Aaron came back to NY, she started telling us goodbye. On Friday she slept all day and Saturday and Sunday were hard days for her. As hard as it was for me to watch Aaron struggle for every breath, I can not begin to imagine how it felt for her family.
She kept her sense of humor up till the end with occasional wisecracks and jokes. At one point on Sunday she turned to her mom and asked if she was an angel. Glenda said "no, baby, you don't have your wings yet." Aaron sighed and said "I don't want to be an angel." I have so much admiration and respect for Aaron - she rarely complained, she hardly wanted to ask for something from anyone even the last few weeks when any one of us would have tried to get the world for her. She certainly fought the hard and good fight.
Aaron passed away just about 7:00 AM on Monday, June 23, 2008. Her funeral service was held yesterday afternoon, three weeks after returning from Disney. The service was conducted by the Spiritual Director of Hospice. She read some poems chosen by Ann Marie as well as some she chose. A video tribute was played and some memories of Aaron were shared. She would have loved the video as well as the gathering afterwards.
I am a better person for having Aaron in my life. She sometimes drove me crazy, but I always loved her. She will be missed. Eventually I will add some more stories about Aaron for her kids. I think it will be a little while before that happens though.
Below is Aaron's video montage.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Florida, at last!
Aaron told me this afternoon that it looks like they will be going to Florida the first week of June! She is thrilled, needless to say!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tiffani is a star!
Been awhile, I guess. Aaron et al are moved into their new home. It is really nice - off street parking, 3 bedrooms, fenced in backyard, sunny living room, big kitchen, just a great place all in all.
But, for today's news- it is all about Tiffani! Tif has been doing archery at school and received an award for "Most Improved" with her name engraved and everything! And also, she is now a published artist! A drawing Tif did was chosen to be in a book called "Kites and Kings." "Kites and Kings" is put together by the elementary schools from Downsville to Schoharie - and all the schools in between. (Over 100 miles apart). Tif drew a photo of Evanessence lead singer, Amy Lee, with pencil and was asked to submit it to the book. She did, it was chosen and it is a very Big Deal! Yay! Congratulations, Tif!
But, for today's news- it is all about Tiffani! Tif has been doing archery at school and received an award for "Most Improved" with her name engraved and everything! And also, she is now a published artist! A drawing Tif did was chosen to be in a book called "Kites and Kings." "Kites and Kings" is put together by the elementary schools from Downsville to Schoharie - and all the schools in between. (Over 100 miles apart). Tif drew a photo of Evanessence lead singer, Amy Lee, with pencil and was asked to submit it to the book. She did, it was chosen and it is a very Big Deal! Yay! Congratulations, Tif!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Aaron update & Relay for Life
There is good news and 2 bits of not so good news and then some more good news.
The good news is that the chemo Aaron has been on has kept the new mass from growing. Not so good is that they found a small spot on her liver. But the chemo may be keeping that at bay as well. And not so good news # 2 is that she somehow managed to break her foot - without actually doing anything that would ordinarily break a foot. Aaron and the kids have temporarily moved in with Glenda as Glenda's apartment only as 5 or so steps to conquer- and Aaron's old apartment was on the second floor. The second bit of good news is that Aaron found a three bedroom apartment on a ground floor. The apartment is apparently beautiful and well maintained. If you don't live in a small college town, you may not realize that this is a major find. It is a HUGE deal here. It sounds like it will be a good place to live with a good landlord. They will be moving in a couple of weeks.
Last night in Oneonta, the first ever SUNY Oneonta/Hartwick College Relay for Life was held at the Dewar Arena. I am pleased to say that my team - composed of co-workers - came in second place with the amount of money we raised; over $4500! Three of us managed to stay the night and I think we were all amazed at the amount of energy the college students had at 5:30 this morning. The event as a whole raised close to $50,000 and apparently was one of the best inaugural college events (for comparable sized colleges) that the American Cancer Society has seen. I had hoped Aaron would be able to participate in the survivor lap, but she has the flu. It was an emotional moment as the participants cheered and clapped for the survivors as they made their way around the arena.
The good news is that the chemo Aaron has been on has kept the new mass from growing. Not so good is that they found a small spot on her liver. But the chemo may be keeping that at bay as well. And not so good news # 2 is that she somehow managed to break her foot - without actually doing anything that would ordinarily break a foot. Aaron and the kids have temporarily moved in with Glenda as Glenda's apartment only as 5 or so steps to conquer- and Aaron's old apartment was on the second floor. The second bit of good news is that Aaron found a three bedroom apartment on a ground floor. The apartment is apparently beautiful and well maintained. If you don't live in a small college town, you may not realize that this is a major find. It is a HUGE deal here. It sounds like it will be a good place to live with a good landlord. They will be moving in a couple of weeks.
Last night in Oneonta, the first ever SUNY Oneonta/Hartwick College Relay for Life was held at the Dewar Arena. I am pleased to say that my team - composed of co-workers - came in second place with the amount of money we raised; over $4500! Three of us managed to stay the night and I think we were all amazed at the amount of energy the college students had at 5:30 this morning. The event as a whole raised close to $50,000 and apparently was one of the best inaugural college events (for comparable sized colleges) that the American Cancer Society has seen. I had hoped Aaron would be able to participate in the survivor lap, but she has the flu. It was an emotional moment as the participants cheered and clapped for the survivors as they made their way around the arena.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Life goes on
For those of you still checking here, (I'm looking at you, Caroline!) I apologize for not updating.
Let's see what there is to say- well, Aaron et al had a great time in Colorado. Aaron, Ann Marie and Troy with Ashley, Crystal, Shelby, Kyana, Dustin and Kylee went to an Ozzy Osbourne & Rob Zombie concert several nights before leaving Denver. Ann Marie got them seats they were all pleased with. Dustin said it was the best night of his life. He also strained his neck after all that head banging. Coming back to NY, Aaron and Glenda upgraded to a sleeper and that made the journey back a little more fun.
Christmas was laid back and relaxed, as were Aaron's and Tiffani's birthdays. Aaron's brother, Adam got Aaron a Cotton Candy maker for Christmas, so she can now have cotton candy on a paper cone whenever she wants!
Aaron has been continuing the chemo started in Colorado. It makes her very tired and the steroids she is taking have caused her to become a bit swollen. Walking is very difficult. On the positive side, the last time she had an x-ray, the mass had not grown. She will have chemo again this Wednesday and a CAT scan sometime in the near future.
It is the season for Relay for Life. I will be walking in it in Aaron's honor, as well as a number of other friends dealing with cancer and for several friends who have passed away. If Aaron is not in Florida the night it occurs here, she plans on doing a circuit or two with me. If you have a Relay for Life benefit in your area, take part!
Let's see what there is to say- well, Aaron et al had a great time in Colorado. Aaron, Ann Marie and Troy with Ashley, Crystal, Shelby, Kyana, Dustin and Kylee went to an Ozzy Osbourne & Rob Zombie concert several nights before leaving Denver. Ann Marie got them seats they were all pleased with. Dustin said it was the best night of his life. He also strained his neck after all that head banging. Coming back to NY, Aaron and Glenda upgraded to a sleeper and that made the journey back a little more fun.
Christmas was laid back and relaxed, as were Aaron's and Tiffani's birthdays. Aaron's brother, Adam got Aaron a Cotton Candy maker for Christmas, so she can now have cotton candy on a paper cone whenever she wants!
Aaron has been continuing the chemo started in Colorado. It makes her very tired and the steroids she is taking have caused her to become a bit swollen. Walking is very difficult. On the positive side, the last time she had an x-ray, the mass had not grown. She will have chemo again this Wednesday and a CAT scan sometime in the near future.
It is the season for Relay for Life. I will be walking in it in Aaron's honor, as well as a number of other friends dealing with cancer and for several friends who have passed away. If Aaron is not in Florida the night it occurs here, she plans on doing a circuit or two with me. If you have a Relay for Life benefit in your area, take part!
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