Sad news...

Not that we would want any of you to find out this way, but sometimes we need a little space in our grief. Grandpa Gary passed away last night about 7:00 pm. Sounds like all the kids and Grandma Sue were with him, and he died very peacefully surrounded by all these loving hearts. Grandma Sue is still in the hospital with her twisted intestine, but from what I hear is doing fine physically, and surviving closely monitored by Kris, Hans, and Barb. Because of her condition, arrangements for services have been delayed. We'll try to let all of you know when and how as soon as we can.

I'm not there, but I know I can safely represent the family in thanking you all dearly for you love, support, and prayers thru Grandpa's battle. We covet your continued support as we mourn the loss of our patriarch.

Grandpa, we love you, we're so proud of you for fighting this great fight so gracefully. I'm so glad you and Grandma found each other over 57 years ago, and that you've seen the fruits of your family thru three more generations. We'll miss you, but you'll always be a part of us.

Somber update...

Sun. 4-18

Hello to everyone,



We are sending out a somber update on Gary’s and Sue’s present health situations. Please update our Ponca family and friends; so everyone can receive the news throughout the coming week.

The daily evaluation from the central Iowa Hospice team was completed this morning and Gary’s condition is now considered 'grim'. The opinion from the team is that we should plan for his death within the next 3 – 5 days. His immediate family is near him and he is in complete comfort.

Sue has developed an intestinal blockage, a twisted small intestine. Her discomfort began late on Sat. and then led us early on Sunday to bring her to the hospital. What a test from God ..! We are doing everything possible to bring her home ASAP. She has been admitted into the Newton, Ia. Hospital ... we hope to have her home within the next 48 hours.

Please watch for another update coming later his week.





Kindest regards,

Kris – Barb & Hans

Hanging at Leona's...

Milo and I took a quick trip to Newton to hang out with Grandma Sue and Grandpa Gary on Thursday. Friday we all caravanned to Ponca where Grandpa grew up to get together with some great friends. I'll let the pictures tell the story:

new friends, old friends and relatives!!

What an amazing couple of weeks this has been! Dad has really been doing well. He continues to be a little unsteady on his feet, and a bit confused and forgetful on occasion,(but who isn't?!) but seems to be getting a bit stronger, and able to conquer new challenges. for instance, we went to Ponca on Friday; 4 hours each way, a meal at Perkins, and a load of old friends and relatives at Leona's house! You should have seen the goodies, including Leona's homemade cinnamon rolls! Oh my gosh, they are the best! Hans and Kerstin met us there, Barb and Marv took off work, and Meg and Milo drove down the night before to make the trip with us! It was great!

Tuesday, Dad's brother Jack and his wife Mary Lou drove all the way from Chicago. Not bad for two 85 year olds, but they did great. A really nice visit and dinner was had at mom and dad's, and it was a blessing to be there and be part of the reconciliation.

For the last couple of weeks, Hospice has been dropping in to visit and get to know Mom and Dad. They are really cool people, and so interesting! One of the nurses was recently diagnosed with colon cancer, and she continues to work full time with her chemo pack at her side.

We met Cindy, Darlene, Mary Jo and Pastor Jeff. they are all committed to Dad's care on any level that they may be needed, but for now, they just wanted to get to know mom and dad, and they will be around once a week or so, when the time comes more often!

Well not more to say, except that they have really enjoyed seeing and hearing from every one! Thanks to all of our loved ones, both new and old! We are so grateful for your prayers and thoughts. For right now everything is good, and thank God it is going to be getting warmer in Iowa! What would we do without spring!!!??? love you all and thanks again! kris

honorable discharge

Well the General has been given an honorable discharge. Dr. Isaccs said that the treatment options are now worse than doing nothing, so they have given Dad a discharge. He has been assigned to a local hospice, and Cindy the nurse came to see them last evening. She was really great, took a pretty detailed history of Dad's cancer; did blood pressure and all that; signed a bunch of papers; and explained all their options and opportunities through hospice.

what an amazing service to the patient and their family. They are basically the primary care givers, and there is not much that you can not ask for. If we go to Ponca, they will alert the hospice there and let them know, so if Dad has problems, we can call and get immediate help! they offer nursing, social worker, and a chaplain. all will be scheduled to come to the house and be available 24/7. The nurse will come once a week initially, and then adjusted as needed. All is covered by medicare, and they will handle all of that too. It is such a hard place to enter, but the way has been prepared by very caring people who's only job is to make this terrible time as easy as absolutely possible.

Dad is really doing very well, with a good sense of humor in place,and a ton on courage. he is having no pain or discomfort, but is a bit more unsteady, and forgetful than before. I guess knowing that the tumors have increased and probably grown, this is not surprising. His appetite is really good, probably because there is such good food wherever he hangs out! but he continues to loose weight, again that darn cancer. Mom is strong, there are moments when she breaks down a bit, but she is right there for Dad, any thing he needs. he is so grateful, and their obvious love for each other is apparent every day. Barb and Marv continue to be their rocks, and anything they need is done before they know they need it. Barb worries an awful lot, and needs to get a lot more sleep!

The Lord has given me time from my job right now which is allowing me to stay here, and just hang out. It is an amazing thing to do. I really can't offer much in the way of help, so mostly I just hang out, we watch TV, I'm knitting a pair of socks, and a hat for Milo. But you know how often do people say they didn't have time to say good bye? I am watching and learning how to live with grace and love in a terribly hard situation. Thank you Mom and Dad for the best example of a lesson that I will take to heart and cherish for ever. I love you Both kris

not good news

the new MRI shows tumors on both sides of Dad's brain. They are waiting to hear from Dr. Isacson the radiation oncologist. Probably a new round of radiation to his brain. Your prayers and messages of encouragement much appreciated!! love to all. kris

Cancer Assassin honored!

Mom, Dad and Barb drove in Tuesday for Dad's last scheduled chemo treatment. Carrissa,their patient advocate, came down to see them, and to tell them about some cool news. John Stoddard (the cancer center where Dad is being treated) has a team running the Race for the Cure (I think that's the one). They have taken as their moniker," Cancer Assissins! " It sounded to me, that they had done that in Dad's honor! He was pleased, and Mom was so excited! Dad has really made an effort to be an encouragement to the other patients and to the staff, I think they have noticed!

Dad had an MRI yesturday and will get the results on Monday. This is assessing his brain for any return of tumors. The last scan back a while ago, showed "no sign of tumors" I know they are anxious. If those of you who are following this blog would like to send or call words of hope and encouragement, or just to say hi, this would be a good time to do that!

The next scan will be a Pet scan in April and that will give the low down on every thing else.

I know Mom would add, Thank God Spring is coming to Iowa, even if it is a little snow (whoops freudian slip) I meant slow coming!!!! They can hardly wait to be able to sit in their red rocking chairs out on the porch! You all come! there is always room for more! Love kris

A late update with pictures...

Mom (Kris), Milo, and I stopped in for a quick visit about 2 weeks ago with Grandma Sue and Grandpa Gary. Fortuitously, cousin Bob had stopped by for a visit. So he's Grandma Sue's brother Bob's son, my mom's first cousin, and I don't know how to title him in relation to me... My mom said she hadn't seen him in a good many years, and I don't think I've ever met him. But I think he fits right in! Warm and easy-going, he even oogled the kid, and really, anyone who will do that is okay with me! Here's a shot of all the cousins; Grandpa snuck in the back from the kitchen. I missed the later shot of the whole family, but I know Grandma Sue got a couple of those!

Grandma and Grandpa seemed in good spirits. Grandpa even put away a couple of good meals while I was there. His new food item of choice: tossed salad. Good thing Grandma keeps up with all the tastes, and she knows just how to make it for him! He seems a little thinner, but really still very strong and just as sassy as ever!

My husband Mike has been interviewing for residencies in pharmacy, and one of the candidates in University of Nebraska at Omaha. This of course inspired quite the verbal frenzy as Grandpa originally thought it was "that Catholic school" in Omaha. No worries, Grandpa, we'd be Cornhuskers all the way; just got to wait and see who wants him!

really great news!

   The battle is going very well, the enemy retreats!!   Dad, Mom and Barb were in Des Moines for the first of Dad's second round of Chemo treatments on Tuesday.  Dad had a CT of his lungs on the previous Thursday, the results were;  75% decrease in the size of the lung tumor, and no sign of the lymph nodes seen previously.   Such great news, and we are so grateful for the power of prayer, and of chemo and radiation.  The doctors are accomplishing exactly what they have hoped to do, and Dad is doing so well.  This weekend will probably be quiet, he usually sleeps a lot in the days following treatments.  Maybe the football will be so good that he will be wide awake and hungry all weekend!  Keep up the good work Dad, and you too Mom!   Love   kris

A blessed Christmas, and a very happy birthday!

  We are now home in Indiana, have been to Portland to spend a great holiday with all of our kids, and their kids!   But wanted to tell you all what a nice Christmas we had at Mom and Dad's/ Barb and Marv's!  Because Dad had a chemo treatment right before the holidays, he was still feeling a little punk, but they managed to make it over to Barb's for the beautiful meal, and for DQ ice cream birthday cake!  When we left the next morning he was up and about and looking so much better. 

   They had had a rough several days going into the holidays because of a bad cold that dad caught.  A couple of trips to the ER.  A chest xray was done, and the tumor there has shrunk, what good news that is.  He spent several days in bed though, and Mom was pretty worried.  His appetite was completely gone, but he was still able to drink fluids.  He has shown so much strength through all of this, and it reminds me that he is still the assassin, and the war goes on!

    Happy New Year to all of you from all of us, but especially from Mom and Dad!!!!!