Wish you all could have been there. Frank and Denise had a beautiful wedding and reception and it lifted all of our spirits to see aunts, uncles, cousins and more cousins that we have not seen in awhile. It would be nice to get together more often, and perhaps we will, but most importantly, we know we're all out here for one another. We love you all very much and appreciate each and every one of you. We have lots of happy memories, let's enjoy making more whenever we get the opportunity!
Dad is spending the day watching football and baseball with Andy, Amy and Mom. I'll bet she's really enjoying it, hmmmm. He called Allie to wish her a happy birthday and I know it made her day!
We anticipate Dad will have a busy week of therapy. His focus will be on getting that swallowing thing going, overall strength and continuing to heal from the surgery. Please send all of your prayers and energy to those muscles of his.
Cheers ~ Michelle
PS My dad says to thank you ladies for the dance(s). He especially enjoyed the mummer's strut!
For the record, I didn't butt in once. I'm waiting for a birthday dance on Tuesday. Nah, nah.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Excuse me, It's my turn!
Great idea Maureen, but I want a turn before Michelle walks over.
Since Sean and I can't be at the wedding, I too want to cyber dance with Uncle Al.
(Is there a dancing computer code or symbol Uncle Al)?
I want to dance to an Abba song..."Dancing Queen"
Since the movia Mama Mia is out right now, the timing is perfect!
Okay, the song is over...Thank you Uncle Al, loved the jokes!
Who is next? Will it be Michelle? Donna? Nancy?
Love you all! Miss you very much Uncle Al
Love, Sandy :)
Since Sean and I can't be at the wedding, I too want to cyber dance with Uncle Al.
(Is there a dancing computer code or symbol Uncle Al)?
I want to dance to an Abba song..."Dancing Queen"
Since the movia Mama Mia is out right now, the timing is perfect!
Okay, the song is over...Thank you Uncle Al, loved the jokes!
Who is next? Will it be Michelle? Donna? Nancy?
Love you all! Miss you very much Uncle Al
Love, Sandy :)
Friday, September 5, 2008
Our cousin "Frank" is getting married
I know you want to be there Uncle Al, But since you can't and I can't either, maybe we can heat up some popcorn..(just make pretend) sit back and hear all the lovely stories that everyone will be telling us....
I imagine alot of dancing...alot of drinking..and alot of laughs and good wishes. I can imagine our Frank (notice no Frankie reference) looking soooo handsome and his bride beaming at him. I'll make pretend that you ask me to dance (cause I'm sitting by myself LOL) and Michelle butts in cause it's her turn. I can hear the music and the laughter and so should you.
I Love you Uncle Al, Thank you for the dance
Moe
I imagine alot of dancing...alot of drinking..and alot of laughs and good wishes. I can imagine our Frank (notice no Frankie reference) looking soooo handsome and his bride beaming at him. I'll make pretend that you ask me to dance (cause I'm sitting by myself LOL) and Michelle butts in cause it's her turn. I can hear the music and the laughter and so should you.
I Love you Uncle Al, Thank you for the dance
Moe
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
A quote from Dad...
"It is important to find the humor in every situation. Every tragedy has humor in it and it reduces the trauma of the tragedy."
He's our leader. Lucky us, huh?! Yes. Very, very much so.
The other news for today is that Dad was STRONG. Looking good, feeling good and one day closer to going home.
Peace, Michelle
He's our leader. Lucky us, huh?! Yes. Very, very much so.
The other news for today is that Dad was STRONG. Looking good, feeling good and one day closer to going home.
Peace, Michelle
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
If you can't say anything nice...
don't say anything at all. Which is why I didn't write earlier today. I also thought I'd let you enjoy my dad's note for awhile. :)
I told you before that the blog helps me to focus on the positive (or maybe I just told Maureen, but now you know too). I know sometimes my entries send a bit of a false impression of the day to day reality. But, I write it because you read it and I know you want to hear good news because you love my dad as much as we do. We can't really do much besides keep each other "up" while he does all the hard work. My family, my brothers and their wives, my mom, my aunts, uncles, cousins, his friends all over the world - all of you who are worried and really can't do much to change the situation for him - we need to hear all the good news we can because the bad news finds us anyway. I think we've all done a really good job of helping one another keep our faith and our sense of humor because when we lose that we're done. I know you have all helped me tremendously and I am very, very grateful and so is my dad. He wanted to write something really profound yesterday - after all he's been through, the fact that he wrote at all was profound enough for us, yes?! And he does miss you all a great deal.
Well, I lost it last night and I didn't know what I'd possibly be able to say today that didn't bring you down. And then I thought, "you know what, tough, get a tissue". Go - get a tissue - and cry loudly into it cause this is damn sad!
The reality is, it's very difficult to see my dad unable to eat or drink or move more than his hands. It's awful for him. And for my mom. And it's very sad for her and all of us including my brothers and his brothers to have to leave him there every day. He's the best and he really does his best to help US stay upbeat. Can you imagine? How would YOU deal with it? Makes you wonder. I know I would not be nearly as good as he is. Anyway, we just want him to come home and have a life. A real life. I was starting to think that maybe it wasn't possible (even Andy couldn't convince me - and he's good!) But, then.............. :)
this morning instead of writing a blog I sent an email to my "pancreatitis support group". Which I laugh about, but, seriously, there is a yahoo group for EVERYTHING and I LOVE them. 5 minutes ago I got an email from my new best friend, Karen, whose husband went through pretty much what my dad went through. Severe Necrotizing Pancreatitis - very sudden gallstone attack, ICU, blah, blah, ventilator, ICU, rehab, blah, blah, ICU, rehab, surgery, blah, blah, feeding tube, blah, infection, blah, blah, surgery, blah, blah (get it? - long time) You know where he is tonight - a boy scout meeting! You know what he's doing after that? Yada-yada! Hang in there, mom! He'll be back!
So, dry your eyes, like I will, and get back to praying for some serious healing for him while we all keep the faith, our sense of humor and a sense of gratitude for all we have, for as long as it lasts. Cent Anni!
We've got a birthday to celebrate - not to mention a wedding or two!!
Love, Michelle
I told you before that the blog helps me to focus on the positive (or maybe I just told Maureen, but now you know too). I know sometimes my entries send a bit of a false impression of the day to day reality. But, I write it because you read it and I know you want to hear good news because you love my dad as much as we do. We can't really do much besides keep each other "up" while he does all the hard work. My family, my brothers and their wives, my mom, my aunts, uncles, cousins, his friends all over the world - all of you who are worried and really can't do much to change the situation for him - we need to hear all the good news we can because the bad news finds us anyway. I think we've all done a really good job of helping one another keep our faith and our sense of humor because when we lose that we're done. I know you have all helped me tremendously and I am very, very grateful and so is my dad. He wanted to write something really profound yesterday - after all he's been through, the fact that he wrote at all was profound enough for us, yes?! And he does miss you all a great deal.
Well, I lost it last night and I didn't know what I'd possibly be able to say today that didn't bring you down. And then I thought, "you know what, tough, get a tissue". Go - get a tissue - and cry loudly into it cause this is damn sad!
The reality is, it's very difficult to see my dad unable to eat or drink or move more than his hands. It's awful for him. And for my mom. And it's very sad for her and all of us including my brothers and his brothers to have to leave him there every day. He's the best and he really does his best to help US stay upbeat. Can you imagine? How would YOU deal with it? Makes you wonder. I know I would not be nearly as good as he is. Anyway, we just want him to come home and have a life. A real life. I was starting to think that maybe it wasn't possible (even Andy couldn't convince me - and he's good!) But, then.............. :)
this morning instead of writing a blog I sent an email to my "pancreatitis support group". Which I laugh about, but, seriously, there is a yahoo group for EVERYTHING and I LOVE them. 5 minutes ago I got an email from my new best friend, Karen, whose husband went through pretty much what my dad went through. Severe Necrotizing Pancreatitis - very sudden gallstone attack, ICU, blah, blah, ventilator, ICU, rehab, blah, blah, ICU, rehab, surgery, blah, blah, feeding tube, blah, infection, blah, blah, surgery, blah, blah (get it? - long time) You know where he is tonight - a boy scout meeting! You know what he's doing after that? Yada-yada! Hang in there, mom! He'll be back!
So, dry your eyes, like I will, and get back to praying for some serious healing for him while we all keep the faith, our sense of humor and a sense of gratitude for all we have, for as long as it lasts. Cent Anni!
We've got a birthday to celebrate - not to mention a wedding or two!!
Love, Michelle
Monday, September 1, 2008
Live from ICU 4
Ciao a tutti,
Just a note to all my friends and family. Thanks for all the support you have given me along the way. Well, we've passed another milestone. The plan was to remove the gall bladder, but when they got in there they said there was too much bleeding. So they just cleaned out the stones and said I should come back when I'm stronger. The plan now is to get me into physical therapy so I can get strong enough to go home. Some time in the future I'll be back for the gall bladder surgery.
I miss you all.
Love, Al
Just a note to all my friends and family. Thanks for all the support you have given me along the way. Well, we've passed another milestone. The plan was to remove the gall bladder, but when they got in there they said there was too much bleeding. So they just cleaned out the stones and said I should come back when I'm stronger. The plan now is to get me into physical therapy so I can get strong enough to go home. Some time in the future I'll be back for the gall bladder surgery.
I miss you all.
Love, Al
Labor Day update
Morning Edition...
The boys say Dad looked good yesterday. A little disappointed that he still has his gall bladder, but he understands why and will do what he has to do.
He has a wonderful life to get back to, which includes the most wonderful wife. They're going on a cruise as soon as he's up for it! So, every day he gets a little closer to that goal.
I'm heading down to visit this morning, so I'll post an evening edition later today.
Love, Michelle
The boys say Dad looked good yesterday. A little disappointed that he still has his gall bladder, but he understands why and will do what he has to do.
He has a wonderful life to get back to, which includes the most wonderful wife. They're going on a cruise as soon as he's up for it! So, every day he gets a little closer to that goal.
I'm heading down to visit this morning, so I'll post an evening edition later today.
Love, Michelle
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