Good Morning, "Today is the day the Lord has made!! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!!" That being said, Dad and I have been trying to keep Mom comfortable with the meds Hospice gave us and we have done a good job. This morning Mom woke up with some moaning and expressing pain and we just couldn't get her comfortable. We called our Hospice nurse and she came right over. As she is still here getting meds adjusted and consulting with the pain pump doc's nurse, I write to you with the information she gave us. Today we will continue to keep her comfortable as we release her completely into the hands of our Heavenly Father!! The nurse has said "It won't be long!" And, I have to share that Dad and I went into the kitchen to chat for a minute and we actually gave each other a thumbs up because we know that there will be no more pain!! We love you all!!!! Thank you for your continued prayers and support!! Love, Dad, Kurt, and Jenn

Greetings from Westchester, The queen is back in her palace!! We had made the decision to come home after visiting with Northern Illinois Hopice. The move was made yesterday afternoon. She was brought home in an ambulance and moved into her bed. The move was rough and she encounted pain, but we are home. After getting home, Hospice people were here to greet us and make sure we were all comfortable. We got instructions for meds and spent the night on our own. The girls and I will be able to spend a couple of nights here. Tomorrow morning we are making Swedish pancakes and starting up the grill. I make it sound like such a easy going thing that Mom is home, but as we sat and waited for the ambulance we watched nurses come in and thank Mom for being such a wonderful patient. They said their good-byes and we took a deep breath and realized that this is just another step towards us saying good-bye...that was tough!! I would also like to share a thought with you that I had a couple days ago. The doctor had come in and was explaining where he thought Mom was in the process of taking her last breaths. Some of us were watching her breath and getting nervous that the time might be near and the physical, mental, and emotional strength that it would take to move her home would be too much for her. The doctor ensured us that even though she has cancer that is filling her body, she has a good heart. My first thought was "Well, yeah she does have a good heart, no an excellent heart. She cares for everyone." Love, Kurt and Jenn

Dear Prayer Warriors,
So much to tell you where do I start? Mom was bright eyed and bushy tailed today, she was able to get about 15 hours of sleep Friday night. She was interested in eating and ate. She visited with folks. She had her toe nails painted by Mia!! She had a smile on her face that we will never forget. She was indicating that she was enduring some pain, but the dose of pain meds helped that pain. Overall it was a good day.
Our family had another meeting with the Hospice social worker today. A different gal then yesterday. Abbie answered our questions with compassion. She helped us to see other options and she listened to our concerns. Tomorrow afternoon will be a time of decision making for our family. This is the hardest decision of our lives thus far, so please pray for wisdom, gentleness, and peace.

Love to all and sleep tight,
Kurt and Jenn

Hello loved ones,
What a blessing to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends today. We had McDonald's for lunch, chatted, shared memories, caught up on life, hugged, cried, laughed, and just spent the day together!!! Thank you!!!
We met with Debbie from Hospice this afternoon. She explained what Hospice would do and how they would support our family during this time. But I must share with you that even though Hospice sounds like there are many benefits, we have some concerns with going home. One being that right now in the hospital, Mom is very comfortable and making a transition may upset that. Please pray that the hospital will be patient with us!!
Until tomorrow....
Love, Kurt and Jenn

Oh loved ones how we are all weaping as we celebrate the life that Mom has lived and is continuing to live. She is greeting family and friends, sharing stories, and keeping us all in line. We love you all!! Thank you for continuing to support us!! Dad and I are spending the night in the hospital tonight! Good night....Love to all!!

Oh Dear Loved Ones,
We come to you this morning with news we don't like. Yesterday, Dr. Lowery shared with us that he was unable to get the stints into Mom's kidneys. He said that during the procedure, he observed very advanced cancer growth, in fact the most he has ever seen. He wept with us as he shared that there is nothing else that can be done except to keep Mom as comfortable as possible. He was unsure of time, but he suggested days maybe weeks. Dad did share that news with Mom shortly after and you could see it in her eyes that she knows.
We just want to say thank you for being with us this year and in the days to come!! Pray for comfort and peace.
Love, Kurt and Jenn

Greetings dear ones,
Just a short update and prayer request this morning. As of yesterday, Mom had made some improvements. She was more engaged in conversations and even joking around with Dad (he really enjoyed that)! They are continuing to lower the potassium level in her body. She has received a blood transfusion. She is on oxygen and they are consistently monitoring her. Today she will have stints inserted into her kidneys (non-invasive), but possibly under anesthetic. The procedure will take place around 1 or 2 this afternoon.
We would just like to let you know how much we appreciate all of you!! Please feel free to visit Dad and Mom at Swedes. If Mom is sleeping, Dad enjoys the company!! And most days Grandpa and Grandma Lowman are there and love to visit as well!!
With Love,
Kurt and Jenn

Dear loved ones my heart is very heavy as I write this post. Mom was taken to Swedes in an ambulance this morning due to disorientation and confusion (she wasn't sure who Dad was). After running some tests, they discovered that her kidneys aren't working. It is so hard to watch your loved one suffer.
Many of you heard Sherm's sermons for the past 2 weeks.....Keep your head in the clouds!!! He has been talking about heaven (a real place), where there is no more pain and suffering, and where we will eat delicious food ( I like tator tots, but I can think of a whole lot more things I would rather be feasting on)!! Thank you Sherm for bring this message to us, so we can keep our eyes focused on heaven, not on things of this world!! Thank you God for giving us such a beautiful description of heaven throughout your Word!!
Love, Kurt and Jenn

Greetings,
Dad and Mom are enjoying being in the comfortable surroundings of home. The hospital has assigned nurse care to come 3 times a week and a physical therapist to come twice a week, which is helping Dad and giving him some peace. Although the pain pump is relieving Mom of the pain in her back, she is still experiencing pain in her lower abdominal and beyond when she walks or has to use the restroom (sorry if it's too much detail).
What a roller coaster of a journey this is. One minute we believe there is an improvement and the next is totally the opposite. Thank you God for allowing us to come before you with our requests, thank you for listening to us, and thank you for WORD to guide us!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!
Love, Jenn and Kurt

Hear ye Hear ye,
We have received word that the Queen of Westchester arrived in her castle last night around 8 p.m.!!!!! The pain has decreased since the implanted pain pump on Sunday. Her appetite has increased to eating 50% of her servings. She was walking to and from the bathroom by herself. Just wanted to get the word out!! Thank you for all your prayers!!!
Happy St. Patty's Day!!!
Love, Kurt and Jenn

Good Morning,
Here's the scoop from over the weekend. The doctor had put a trial pain pump in on Thursday. Mom was awake during the 3 hour procedure in which they "dug" into her spine to insert the pump tubing. After the procedure she was a shaken up to say the least. The doctor discussed the procedure with Dad and told him it was not in the right spot, but they were going to monitor Mom to see how well she would do. The 1st 24-36 hours were not the best, but Saturday morning the pump started to work. Prior to the procedure Mom would describe the pain as between an 8 and 10, right after the procedure a off the charts 15, but Saturday morning a 3!!!
So,the doctor scheduled the surgery to put in the implanted pain pump for Sunday morning at 8 a.m. The nurse were prepping Mom and the phone rang..it was the doctor who had forgotten to set his clock ahead!! But it didn't delay the surgery but maybe a few minutes!! Procedure went well and the doctor was able to get everything in place. We came home after Mom was out of recovery, so I'll give you an update later on!! She maybe coming home today or tomorrow!!
Kurt and I had a great time in Chicago!! He had excellent feedback on his art!! And, little Livi is now 2!!! Thank you for all your well wishes and prayers!!
Love, Kurt,Jenn, Mia, and Livi

Hello,
Here's the latest scoop. I wish I was more medically inclined and had more details for you, so if any of you have insight..please share.
Mom is still at Swedes and will be there for a couple more days. Her blood sugar levels are more stable. She did receive another unit of blood yesterday, which gave her skin a good healthy pink tone!!! They are also doing testing in order to have a pain pump put in. The nurse explained the pain pump to Dad and I the other night. It will be implanted under her skin on the right side of her stomach area with a small tube that will direct the morphine into her spine, which will have a "freezing" effect on her lower abdominal area and tailbone. God willing, this will give her some steady pain relief and increase her appetite. Our goal is to get Mom to a healthy plateau in order to receive 1 more round of chemo. Right now, she just isn't strong enough to attempt chemo nor does she want to inflict any more pain or nauseousness.
Well, I will update you after the weekend. Kurt and I are headed into Chicago this weekend because Kurt's artwork is in a gallery and Friday night is opening night!! Also, little Liviana Grace turns 2 on Sunday!!
Thank you for all you support and encouragement as we journey down this path.
Love, Kurt and Jenn

Hello loved ones,
Whew, the last 24 hours have been turbulent. Last night around 7 p.m. Mom called to let us know they were headed to Swedes because her blood sugar level had dropped to 48 (it is suppose to be around 150!). She didn't experience any other symptoms,like dizziness or unconsciousness which is amazing with levels that low. When they arrived at Swedes the personal help was fantastic, which made things so much more comfortable for the both of them. Her hemoglobin level was also low (7 instead of 12), which meant a blood transfusion. The blood transfusion went well and Dad said her skin looked so much healthier. Today, her goal was to increase her blood sugar level and keep it at a 150 for 24 hours then she could go home.
We were able to get up to Swedes this evening to visit and go for ice cream with Grandpa!! Mom is feeling better than last night, but has pain, not eating, memory issues (she said " I am just so confused" when trying to recall some of her meds to the nurse, knowing what day it is, and other little things)...I believe it is all due to the morphine (inter-venous).
Thank you all for wrapping your arms around us, praying with us, and supporting us through this roller coaster of a journey.
Love to all,
Kurt and Jenn

Greetings loved ones,
Yeah, we were able to spend time with Mom and Dad!! We were able to visit a little with Mom, but Saturday was a "new patch" day. A "new patch" day means that there is some time in between when the old one comes off and the new one goes on and kicks in, and Mom experiences discomfort and pain. They are going to talk to Madison about adjusting this, so there is no time lapse. The girls enjoyed climbing up in Grandma's bed to watch Pinocchio with Grandma and playing with Grandpa!!! Speaking of Grandpa, last week he did something crazy...he went to Woodman's (very large grocery store) all by himself!!! The two of them enjoy each other so much and their love for God and for each other continues to grow!!
Enjoy your week!!
Love, Kurt and Jenn

Hello Loved ones,
Well, since my last post in which I conveyed the message that we would be able to spend some time with Mom and Dad over the weekend (we were really looking forward to this) the Erickson household was struck with strep and colds!!! Yuck!! Mia and I were sick while Kurt and Livi tried to stay their distance (which is very difficult in our tiny place)!! We are on the mend and hopefully we will be able to spend some time with Mom and Dad this coming weekend!!
So, not much to report..not even funny stories..sorry!! We can report that your love to us is spilling over in heaps!!! Thank you so much dear ones for keeping updated, bringing food, visiting, cards, e-mails, hugs, smiles, phone calls, and most importantly prayers!! On my way to work, I was listening to a David Crowder Band CD and tears just poured out of my eyes because we are so blessed to be a part of such a loving crowd of family and friends and that is because our common foundation is in the Lord Jesus Christ!!!
Through the toughest times hear on earth, may we all stay focused on God's "purpose" for our lives... to be children of the Risen Lord!! Let HIS light shine through you today, Praise HIM, and give HIM all the glory!!
May you all have a wonderful week!!
Love, Jenn and Kurt