Party Time

I need you to bring those sweet desserts and savory soups

Ok, the truth is obvious... pancreatic cancer is no party.  But, oh the kindness of friends and family in bringing gifts to tempt her appetite.  These angels with chef aprons brought a smile to mom's heart.

 

 

 

One of the hardest parts of this journey with pancreatic cancer is the constant nausea and loss of appetite.  The cancer and subsequent treatments played havoc with mom's digestive system.  Weight loss became our number one enemy and we fought it with everything we had...

And that's where our friends and family really stepped up.  Dad and I were so busy as caregivers, shuttling mom back and forth to treatments, tests and doctor appointments, as well as making her as comfortable as we could, that meals were a toss-up at best.  When friends offered to bring dinner by, we accepted with all the grace of a drowning man being tossed a life preserver!

Bringing gifts of dinner or lunch for mom made a profound impact on not only her well-being, but ours as well.  It was the sweetest blessing.

And recently I learned of two amazing websites that make coordinating meals for our loved ones a breeze.  If you are in a position to offer help in this area, the free tools found on these sites will make your day... 

Take Them a Meal was created by a small group of friends who suddenly found themselves trying to organize meals for a close friend stricken by a serious heart condition.  They knew meals would be a welcome relief for her husband and four young children, but the task of coordinating these meals was overwhelming.  And when ingenuity met inspiration, Take Them a Meal was created.

This website is an online tool for coordinating the delivery of meals to loved ones. If someone is ill, oftentimes family, friends, co-workers, or church members rally around these families to take them meals. In the past, one person would coordinate (by phone or email) the scheduling of the meals. Now, the meal coordinator can use TakeThemAMeal.com to allow the meal providers to sign up for the day or days when they will provide meals to the meal recipients.

Lotsa Helping Hands takes this concept one step further... It is also an online tool for coordinating meals, but with their Help Calendar you can request help with child care, trips to the doctor, and other needs, as well as give updates and announcements to your online group.  Lotsa Helping Hands has a beautiful tribute page entitled Stories of Hope that will lift your spirits and renew your faith in the kindess of  others.

And both sites are free... it doesn't get much better.  Go on, check them out... you and your loved one will be glad you did!

There is Beauty in the Body when we come alongside and journey together...

 

 "Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”

                                                                            ~ Romans 15:1 (The Message)

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Cat in the Trap

I know you've probably all been hoping (praying) that Jane's trapping days were over, but I'm afraid the saga continues. To be sure, we have given the trap a rest for the past month. Little things like hospital stays and vacation days put a kink in our trap-setting ways. But two days ago as Leroy was leaving for work in the pre-dawn hours, he opened the back door and "surprised" 3 racoons on the back porch.

Those coons were getting just a little too cozy for my peace of mind. So out came the trap. And we promptly caught the neighborhood stray cat.

He was not a happy camper. I wasn't either. He looked a little possessed with his yellow eyes gleaming and tail twitching, and then he began drooling something awful, so to the vet we go (rabies did fleetingly cross my mind...)

But, never fear, the story has a happy ending. Turns out our little stray had a prickly grass burr embedded in the back of his tongue.

Ouch, Big time!

And since they already had him sedated, I waved a generous hand and said "Give him the works!" He was tested, vaccinated and neutered all in the span of 20 minutes. As the vet loaded him back in the crate, she laughed and said the minute we release him we'll probably never see him again. But surprise... he hasn't left our back porch! Seems he does appreciate a helping hand! And the bowl of cat food by the back door....

And mom does too - appreciate the helping hand that is... She has been showered with well wishes, prayers, cards and meals (Lisa and Pat, kudos) these past weeks. Thank you, thank you. We are always so humbled by the generosity of spirit, and the sweet out-pouring of love and affection. It truly keeps her going when her body just wants to give up.
  
Somewhere I heard a quote that says "No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it." You are that inspired orchestra playing beautiful music just for mom. Our gratitude knows no bounds. Thank you...

Showered in Grace, Jane

Let's Eat!

Lunch is Served!

And dinner too!



Have you ever wanted to do something for a sick friend, but couldn't think of a thing? Or maybe you thought about making a meal and bringing it over, but didn't know what to make? Or wondered if the sick friend really would appreciate it?

The answer is a huge, resounding YES!!!

Yes - do something for the sick friend.
Yes - make a meal.
Yes - your sick friend will be forever grateful!

And no, it doesn't have to be a 5-course meal. Dish up an extra plate of whatever's on your cookstove for the day. Easy as pie! And doubly sweet.

What wonderful friends mom has been blessed with! I know of at least three divine cooks that have made it their mission to keep mom well-nourished with all sorts of tempting treats.

Pat, Ruth and Delores - you are angels with chef's aprons! And there are probably more of you in the neighborhood, forgive me for not mentioning you by name. Your simple and tasty gestures are heaven-sent.

And I know you don't do it for the applause, though you will get plenty from me! I see a pure and gracious servant's heart. True friends you are.

Thank you for your sweet offerings....

Bon Appetit!