Friday Update
Dear Fods,
It has been a very difficult week with some ups but mostly downs. Debbie asked to leave hospice on Tuesday in order to receive blood products -- she needed platelets. This was arranged by HUP and Aetna and we had an ambulance transfer from 912 to HUP and back. HUP and Aetna have agreed to support Debbie in any way that they can, which is truly extraordinary.
While this type of transfer may sound simple, it was a Chinese fire drill gone amuck! Since Debbie is still not ambulatory, this required 3 burly men carrying her strapped to a chair up and down the steps, a special entrance at HUP where all of her friends took very good care of her. She was wisked to a private room in the Lab and Claire and Heather took excellent care of our Debbie. That was the fastest in and out in HUP history. The burly boys got Debbie back to her bed and her platelets are holding @ 22K.
Debbie appears to be filling with fluids again over the past two days even though she is putting out a constant amount. We expect that her breathing will again become labored if this fluid retention continues. Debbie is heavily medicated and is pretty much out of it now. She did ask to see a priest today and he will come by tomorrow.
The kids have been a great help -- staying with Debbie and helping her in every way possible. Her coverage is constant and it could not be done without them.
There is not much more to do or say -- we believe that the end is fairly near.
Thank you for the cards and blogs. We read them to her whenever she is awake.
Debbie sends her love to all.
posted by Joe @ 6:22 PM
43 Comments:
Dear Debbie,
You are constantly on my mind--this past week and always. We have been separated by miles for many years now but you are always close to my heart. I'm so sorry that you are uncomfortable, but hope medication eases your suffering.
You have such a wonderful family to be with and care for you. God bless all of you.
I love you.
xoxoxo
tessa
Love to all of you. Debbie is on my heart, and in my prayers.
Hi Joe, Thanks for the update. I've been checking constantly in hopes for good news. Debbie is so brave and you guys have been so strong. I'm always praying for the best. Take care.
Love,
Beach Betty
If this is towards the end (and of course I pray it is not) I hope Debbie is out of pain and your family has as much bonding moments as possible. You all have inspired me to appreciate all the family moments that I can..thank you for that...my prayers are with you every day, Brenda
Mom-Mom,
We love you so very much we are thinking of you nonstop and hoping for you to be comfortable and peaceful <3333
Love you
Allison and Izzy
Dear Teklits Family, Have been thinking about dear Debbie all week and praying for everyone. You have such strength together. My continued prayers and love, Trudy
Debbie and Family:
Always keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. May God continue to hold all of you in his loving arms during this time and provide comfort and peace.
Carolyn Stuart
Dear Debbie, Joe,Jesse,Joey and Mike,
Know that you are all in our prayers during this time. May you surround Debbie and each other with much love. May God hold you all close in his arms....may you feel his love and peace.
Sending you all a big warm hug.
We love you Debbie!
Love,
Chuck,Donna,Wyatt and Mackenzie
Dear Debbie,
I've been checking the blog many times a day. I was hoping that you have been able to eat more and gain some strength. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you all daily. (Joe, thanks so much for the update--let me know if there's anything I can do to help) I'm so thankful that you have all been able to be there for Debbie, she is lucky to have such love and care surrounding her and she told me how great you have all been.
Love and thoughts from Brandon, Chad and Derek too. Love, Donna K. xoxo
Debbie,,thank you,, thank you for your wonderful friendship, thank you for all the laughs over the years..thank you for your ever kindness, thank you for your wonderful fattening chocolate chip cookies, thank you for being a great dance partner after work during the 80's,,thank you for all the meals you insisted we all eat even after just coming home from going out for dinner..
thank you for being who you are..we all love you!! Stay pain free!! love goes out to all of you teklits.. you have been the greatest..... prayers your way...mdf
Joe....thanks for the update. Debbie, you are in the heart, thoughts & prayers of so many people right now, as evidenced by just reading this blog. Know how very special you are & how many lives you have touched. Your brave spirit, kindness & humor throughout your illness has been an inspiration to so many. I remember when you were first diagnosed 3 years ago & were up on Ravdin 9. As a fellow nurse, we all felt a special kinship with you & it was obvious what a special & popular person you were by all of the family & friends who were always surrounding you. Although I don't think I was assigned to you much on Ravdin 9 & Rhoads 6, I had the true pleasure of getting to know you (& your family) better when you were on the clinical trial. You were always my "favorite" patient (don't tell the others!) & I looked forward to seeing you in clinic. I wish you & your family all the peace & comfort in the world right now. You have truly left your footprint on this world & we are all a little better for having known you!
Love & warm thoughts,
Bridget
Dear Debbie, You have touched my life and my heart.
God is with you.
From the moment you became His child, His plan for you has been
perfect and continues to be in place.
I love you.
Linda Mack
Dear Aunt Debbie, Uncle Joe, Jessie, Joe, and Mike,
I'm sorry to hear that things this past week haven't been better. The last blog seemed so promising! I hope and pray that you can spend your time together at home, not in HUP. I also hope the medications help with the fluid retention and the pain it caused last time. I love you guys and continue to pray for you every day!
Lisa
My dear Chizzie-
I'm so sorry your week has been a difficult one and I continue to pray, pray, pray for God's grace to be with you. (BTW - I'm glad to see that my prayers for caring and enlightened individuals to continue to cross your path are working! Hah-hah. Thanks to Heather, Claire and Bridget for their many kindnesses. I know how close you are to all your nurses and how much you love them. They really are angels of mercy, aren't they?)
Words are hard to come by this morning. Seeping? Not so much. I find myself committing random acts of seepage. Seeping at the grocery store, seeping as I sit in traffic, seeping here, seeping there, seeping everywhere. In fact, I'm seeping now!
Just a regular old seep machine. So why don't I just go right to today's Daily Word? Once again it hits the nail on the head and makes me think of the contribution you have made to my world, my Chizzie. I can't even begin to tell you... to paraphrase Nurse Bridget, 'you have left your heartprint on my life' and I can't imagine what life would have been like without you.
My prayers go out to you Joe, Jess, Joey and Mikey as well. Your contributions of love and tender caring to my friend are magnificent.
Big hugs going out to all the FOD's - I'm feeling like we all could use one right about now.
K
Contribution
I contribute joyfully from the gifts of Spirit I have received. As I give of my inner sacred qualities in service, I make a contribution to the lives of others and I receive joy and fulfillment in return. Individually or as part of a group, I contribute in ways that resonate in my soul.
I spread loving-kindness by doing and being there for others. I make a difference as, with a joyful heart, I contribute from the gifts of Spirit I have received.
"We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us ... the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness."--Romans 12:6-8
Debbie and family,
We went to LC's homecoming game last night and a lot of people were asking about you, Debbie. Carolyn sent her love as did some others that know you. I don't know what else to say except that we all love you so much and are always thinking and praying for you.
Teklits, you guys are amazing. Thank you for the updates and for always caring about others and sharing your wife, mother and grandmother with all of us. Debbie is so special. She always puts others before her, and has always had a shoulder to cry and laugh on. Thank you.
xoxo love you all,
meg, matt and matthew thomas
Please know how much I love you. You're in my thoughts, heart and prayers. Hugs to all.
Dear Debbie:
I have typed and erased my comments a half dozen times now! Just want you to know that we all love you here in Missouri.
We are more thankful than ever of our time at the shore with you and Joe. (this summer in particular) We will always cherish those memories.
We keep you ever close in our thoughts and prayers today and always.
Love you too pieces --- Cousin of Mine....COD Eileen
P.S. Hugs to all the caregivers...you're the best!
Just sending some love your way sealed wth a kiss and hug.
Keep up your spirit.. you are a very special person to all. Just just love and adore you.
Joe thank you for everything, Joey, Jess and Mike - you are the wonderful medicine for your mom. And most important, thank you all for sharing your wife and mom with each of us.
Love,
Donna Tea Bags
Debbie,
Thinking of your easy laugh and big beautiful smile and how grateful I am for the times I was on the receiving end of both! Also, for all the conversations with absolutely no direction and no end!! (I know everyone knows what I mean).
Praying that this path on your journey is a peaceful one.
Blessings and love,
Kim
Joe, Jessie, Joey, Mike,
I haven't written much due to the unfolding of many events from this end... However, I haven't for one minute forgotten Dear Deb...Our thoughts and prayers are with every one of you...
Please give my love to Debbie.
Lizzie K
Well, I'm joining COD Eileen in the type and erase club this morning, FOD's.
And then I start reading through the new comments and that seep thing starts...so I will just say I love you, Chizzie and I continue to pray for comfort, grace and for 'spirit to heal and strengthen you."
Aware
Spirit within has given me life and is renewing me with life.
Once when Jesus was attempting to explain a spiritual truth, His disciples complained because the teaching was difficult. They were looking at it through a filter of limited thinking. He was teaching them about spiritual insight that was beyond what they were comprehending in the physical world. It was a message of "spirit and life."
Whenever life seems difficult and there is a need for healing, I affirm: Spirit within has given me life and is renewing me with life.
Having affirmed wholeness, I sit in the silence continuing to be aware that Spirit is healing and strengthening me.
Guided by Spirit, I honor and take care of my physical body. I always know, however, that Spirit within is my true source of wholeness. In this awareness, I am at peace.
"It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."--John 6:63
Dear Debbie and Family,
Thank you all for the lessons you have taught us all through this illness. You are shinning examples of courage, hope, selflessness, and grace. My prayers are with you. Debbie again I'd like to thank you for being you. I can honestly say I have never met anyone with such a consistanly good nature and kind heart. God bless you.
Love,
Pam Kuntz
Dearest Debbie, Thinking of you constantly and praying for your comfort and peace and strength for your precious family. "Today I stumbled and once again was lifted up by an unseen hand. What comfort and joy that knowledge brings for I hear the whisper of angel wings. The guardian angels God sends to all to bear us up when we stumble and fall. Trust Him, my friend, and often you'll hear the whisper of angel wings hovering near."You and your dear family are in my thoughts and prayers day and night. I love you, Debbie. xoxoxo Sue
dear joe, debbie, jesse, joey, and mike,
you have been in our hearts and prayers...
what we have learned from you all these past years has been such a gift. (and the fact that aetna AND hup are willing to work with you, because it's YOU, doesn't surprise us).
we're sorry and we pray for peace in your hearts as you go thru yet another hard time.
letting go of anyone special is hard but such a gift...hugs as you go about loving each other.
grace and peace
tony and jill
Dearest Debbie,
I'm so sorry. This sucks big time. I love you and all you have been to Greg and me.
Beth
Dear Debbie,
We rarely leave comments on the blog (shame on us) but I promise we do check it every day! I want you to know that our thoughts are with you every single day. You're so brave and so strong, it makes you such an inspiration to all of us. We're just wishing for you to be comfortable and peaceful, that's all that matters right now.
You're in our prayers always, and we love you so much.
Love,
Tori, Dody, Bobby, and Aunt Lindy
dear joe, debbie, jessie, joey, and mike-
we think you had a bad nite so jill prayed instead of reading when she woke at 3...
focus on something that can fill you with a little peace-whether it be on someone's eyes, or a leaf, or feeling the sun on your cheek, or the touch of someone's hand.
love each other where you need to love-(and we pray you will recognize how to do that)
grace and peace and hugs
tony and jill
Debbie and family,
You are all in my prayers and thoughts everyday. Debbie, you are loved by so many and I see why after meeting you only once. It was so easy - like I always knew you. That is a gift. Cherish each moment together.
With love,
Lorraine
My dear Debbie ,I love you and pray frequently every day for your comfort and peace...Jesus is with you, He is in you , and will guide you on this path...TRUST IN HIM to do this,He will not fail you! You have a beautiful heart and soul,and they will not fail you! "T's", you are an amazing family,your courage ,strength,and devotion, know no bounds...a true testement of your love for one another...a shining light of example for us all to follow..thank you! Love and prayers continue from Bev and the "Z's"(Mackenzie continues her prayers for Gebbie:)
Dear Debbie,
I can't believe it, I have just caught up with the last weeks blogs.. my dearest Debbie. I tell you I almost drove up to HUP a week ago but felt I would be intrusive, obviously I would have. I am praying for your comfort. God bless Debbie, until we meet for that cuppa tea. You are such an inspiration.
Lots of love, Visitor Alison.
Thinking about you guys on this dreary Monday afternoon. Hope you are all holding up okay. <3 MEG
Debbie, Joe and the entire Teklits Family,
You all continue to be on our minds, in our hearts, foremost in our prayers.
Like all who know and love you, Debbie, we pray you are free of pain, warm and comfortable, peaceful. Joe, Jessie, Joey, Mike, we pray for your continued strength, patience, understanding and mutual support as you administer to your beloved wife/mother. We continue to pray for miracles—small, large, and in-between; God bless each and every one of you.
With love,
Linda & Tim Radel
Dear Debbie,Joe,Jesse,Joey and Mike,
I think about you constantly. Please know that you have a very special place in my heart. I hope that you are resting peacefully surrounded by your amazing and loving family. Your have really touched alot of people. You are loved by so many people. I have only known you for a couple of years, yet I feel like you have been a part of my life forever.
Please know that you are in my constant prayers and in my thoughts all day long. May you feel the love from your family and from all of your friends that love you dearly. May God fill you with his love and warmth. We love you Debbie very much! May God Bless You.
Sending a big warm hug to all of you.
Love,
Chuck,Donna,Wyatt and Mackenzie
Dear Debbie:
Just ending my day at work and checking the blog one last time before I head out into this "wintery" ... did I say wintery??? night. There is a rumor we will dip into the 20's here in Missouri. I am headed into St. Louis for Brendan's last Junior Varsity football game. No doubt he is wearing the red bracelet with the word "relentless" on it, keeping you close in his heart even on the football field.
We are praying today and always for peace and comfort for you.
We love you to pieces. COD Eileen, Dave, Mere, Colin and Bee
Dear Mom-Mom,
Our prayers continue -- we love you so much and have been so blessed to have you as family these past few years.. You are the best mom-mom in the world. Hope tonight finds you peaceful and comfortable.
Love You Always
Alli , Izzy, and the NY fam!
Hi,
I just can't get you guys off of my mind. I hope Debbie is resting comfortably on this dreary fall day. It's funny but as much as I talk I never really seeked anyone out on the beach to talk to in my 35 years of going to Ocean City and then one day Debbie and I started talking.It seemed as if we had known each other for years. Reading the blogs over the last three years it looks like she had the same effect on everyone.
What a wonderful person you are Debbie. When I spoke to you on the beach I was happy to see you still maintained your wonderful sense of humor throughout this terrible illness. You made me feel so at ease with your illness it was hard to believe you were even sick. I guess it's the caregiver in you. I know you are being well taken care of now. How lucky you are to have such a wonderful family and group of friends. I hope you have a peaceful evening.
Love,
Betty
dear joe,debbie,jessie,joey, mike (and alli)
today-we all could use a bit of beach so let's run up your spiral stairs and look out on the ocean...but maybe on the ocean of people you each have touched in a special way (so joe-you won't have to wash your car on this one) instead of the grey watery ocean...you have never caused anyone to feel cold and grey so look out and see some of the warmth and love and strength come back from so many as you do this journey.
peace and light and His grace
love
tony and jill
Tony and Jill,
Your blog was beautifully written.
Thank you.
Debbie,
God has sent you big fluffy snowflakes today. As I recall, you are Joe's little snowbunny.
love you!
Debbie,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer? NO! Wait, it should be... when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but an OCTOBER snowfall and no Phillies world championship here! (yet... but soon)
Debbie I am always thinking of you. Matthew's first snowfall was in October of all months! I hope you watched the beautiful flakes coming down. Love you!
oxox megan, matt and matthew
Just checking in to say hi & to say that I hope Debbie is peaceful & pain-free and that all of the Teklits are cherishing their time together! You guys are always in my thoughts & prayers!
Love,
Bridget
Dear Debbie,Joe,Jessie,Joey and Mike,
What a wonderful surprise today with the beautiful snowflakes.
I took Mackenzie outside so she could see her first snowflake...
on the pumpkins no less. Debbie I was thinking about you today as I looked at the snow falling. I was hoping that you could see this beautiful piece of winter. I hope you are resting peacefully feeling all the love from your family and all the outpouring of love from all the people that you have touched so dearly. Sending a big
warm hug to you my dear friend.
Love ya,
Donna,Chuck,Wyatt and Mackenzie
Snow? In October? During the World Series? In Philadelphia?
Another miracle for our Debbie who loves the snow!
I hope you are comfortable, cozy and at peace, honey.
A very late word for today... and this from Joel Osteen, (Thank you, Boni for turning me onto this!)
Grace
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (II Corinthians 12:9).
Grace is God’s unmerited favor. It’s kindness from Him that we don’t deserve. Grace empowers us and strengthens us. No matter what has happened in your past, you can receive God’s grace and forgiveness and start fresh today. You can hold your head up high because His grace is enough. You may not be perfect, but you are forgiven.
When you go around holding on to your past mistakes or think you have to try to make things up to God, it’s like saying that His grace isn’t enough. Jesus has already paid for your mistakes. All you have to do is receive His grace today and thank Him for His favor and empowerment in your life. In the same way, extend that grace to others. Don’t try to punish people for their past mistakes; instead, give them favor to start over. As you allow God’s grace to flow through you, you will be strengthened and empowered. You’ll see yourself rise higher, and you will enjoy God’s blessing in every area of your life.
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace today. I receive Your strength and favor in my life. Help me to extend that grace to others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Hello Chizzie-
Still thinking and praying from Colorado. Last night, we had a fire and I sat outside on the porch and watched the stars come out. Made wishes on all of them that you were feeling comfortable and peaceful.
It's 70 degrees here without a cloud in the sky today, can you believe it? It's supposed to be this way through the weekend. Doesn't look as nice out your way...hope they get to play the world series tonight.
Love to the Teklits crew, I'm thinking of you guys.
Had to laugh out loud at today's word - I've been praying about this for myself all week...and what do you know - here it is.
Guidance
God's loving spirit guides me in making right choices and taking right actions.
Life is full of opportunities for me to make choices. Some of the choices I make seem trivial, while others come in the form of life-altering decisions.
I take whatever needs a decision, large or small, into prayer. I feel God's loving presence blessing me and surrounding me as I contemplate the options.
Knowing that God is present within me in every moment, I know that divine guidance is always available to me. With my mind steadily focused on God's guidance, I make the absolutely best decision possible and then act upon it.
Right actions require right thinking, and right thinking occurs when I turn to God in prayer. My actions are guided by God's loving spirit, now and always.
"He will teach them the way that they should choose."--Psalm 25:12
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