A long month

A long month

I have to laugh because every time I want to post that things are better something happens!  Life is anything but boring.

Kimbell has been doing well all things considered.  She continues to need less and less medicine.  Right now the biggest thing she is battling is GVHD but we all know it could be worse so we can’t complain.  We are no longer going to clinic every week so when she has a sore in her mouth or on her tongue it is a little bit nerve wrecking but they seem to go away in a few days so maybe that is just part of it?   I am anxious to go to clinic next week and see confirmation via labs of how well we think she is doing!  In the last month she has really started doing her school work and even read a book on her own!!!  She is even getting close to catching up to her peers at SCS which is so incredibly exciting.

In other news we have been dealing with John’s grandfather’s heart problems.  Last Tuesday we flew to PA for his open heart surgery on Thursday.  All seemed to go well and on Friday morning he was asking for Kimbell over and over again.  He loved her so much.  She spent most of the day with him as she had the previous day.  When he started going down hill she continued to tell him he would be fine and to keep fighting.  By Saturday morning he was in multi organ failure.  Something our family has been through before and Kimbell bravely continued to spend time with him, holding his hand, talking to him and even helping the ICU nurses with tasks.  Unfortunately God had different plans and he passed away late Saturday night.  I/we never saw this coming even after he was put on a vent and dialysis.  K’s aunt gave her $10 for Easter which she took and promptly spent at the gift store on a frog, rose and balloon for Pap 🙂 He held his frog until he was put on the vent.  I remember talking to the ICU nurse saying I can’t believe this, the first holiday in a year that Kimbell isn’t in the hospital or ER or clinic and we are going to spend Easter in the ICU.  Pap seemed to know he wasn’t going to survive his surgery and J, K and I kept telling him you are fine.  Look at what Kimbell has gone through and she had horrible odds of surviving.  Never once believing he knew what he was talking about.  In typical K fashion she was grateful he didn’t suffer, as he went quickly and was happy that he was in heaven and that he was once again with his twin sister but for the first time in forever I realized that she is just a kid.  She climbed into bed with him and just held him.  She tried over and over to get his arm around her even though it wouldn’t work.  We all loved Pap so much and his loss will be felt forever.  He was an instrumental part of John’s life and Kimbell’s.  Gram and Pap came to TX at least once a year to visit, helped John and I out of many predicaments when we didn’t have anyone to watch K or needed help around the house, they met us multiple times when we were still going to CCHMC and even when K didn’t want company they still came to MN to show their never-ending love and support.  Gram and Pap were married for 55 years and such a sweet couple.  I can’t imagine what God’s plans are for Pap but they must be pretty huge to take him away from all of us.  Please pray for Gram, John, Kimbell and the rest of the family through this difficult time.  Even though we were with him when he passed and have had his funeral I don’t think it has truly hit us.  He was and continues to be a huge influence to our family, will never be forgotten and will be forever loved by us all.

Blessed are they that mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5

A Blameless Life Is A Ripe Old Age: Wisdom 4:7-15
A reading from the book of Wisdom
But the just man, though he dies early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age. He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners was transported–snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceit beguile his soul; for the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind. Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fullness of a long career; for his soul was pleasing to the LORD, therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness. But the people saw and did not understand, nor did they take this into account. Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.
The Word of the Lord

Love P, K and J

About the Author

John & Paige