Heidi's mom
 

As many of you know, Heidi's mom has been quite ill for some time. Her condition has recently deteriorated, and she is in the hospital for the second time in as many weeks with a variety of problems, including an irregular heartbeat, an infection and weakening lung function. While the first two of these have improved with treatment, the third has not, and the doctor has said that it is probably irreversible. The family has begun discussing a move into hospice care, and this will probably happen in a few days.

Heidi and I have been in Michigan with her mom and dad for the past ten days or so, and her siblings also arrived last night so the family can all be together. They are holding up pretty well given the circumstances, in large part I think because her mom has, in the last few days, been able to regain her spirit and sense of humor, but I'm sure Heidi and her family would appreciate any positive thoughts/prayers/mind signals sent their way.

Thanks for letting us know about it. I'm so sorry.

Sending love and good thoughts your way.

*hugs* for Heidi.

{{{{{{STRONG HUGS}}}}}}} for Tom and Heidi

Prayerful thoughts for your Mom (and you) LSPE & TOM.

So sorry :(

The Wolfpack sends their hugs and love to the both of you!

Thinking positive thoughts.

I'll be thinking of you guys!!!

((( Thinking of you guys. )))

My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.

Thinking of you guys!

My thoughts are with you and your family, as well as a piece of my heart.

{{hugs}}

You've both been in our thoughts for a while. We owe you some big hugs when you get back.

Heavy stuff. All the best thoughts and prayers.

You and your family continue to be in my thoughts and heart and soul. All the best vibes and prayers and love in a constant stream your way.

{{{{{Heidi and Tom}}}}}

Thanks, Tom. Love to you and Heidi.

Big hug from me to you two.

Huge, enormous hugs from the Rat and I. Heidi: I'm so honored that I got to meet your mom and dad via Skype this past Thanksgiving. It was truly the highlight of the holiday for me. I've been thinking of you guys often the past couple weeks and will continue to do so.

*hugs*

Best wishes for you and yours during difficult times.

Sorry this is playing out like this. My sympathy to all concerned.

I wish you all much comfort, and you're very much in my thoughts and prayers. We love you!

Sending my best thoughts.

Much love.

Thanks for the update T. We will be thinking of you and sending loving and supportive energy your way.

Thanks for the update, Tom. You all have been in my thoughts on a daily basis. Please keep us updated when you can.

Sending my thoughts and loving energies.

Prayers and hugs from all of us as well.

Positive thoughts and prayers to Heidi's mom, Heidi, Tom and family.

Hang in there, Heidi & Tom!

BJ and I are sending our prayers with you Heidi & Tom!

Hugs and Wishes from Downunder.

Oh H & T... been thinking about you lots lately. **hugs** I'll be keeping you in my thoughts during this difficult time. :(

Sorry to hear this news- I can't even imagine how difficult it must be.

Lots of love and support- *hugs*

Love and positive vibes.

Love and hugs from both of us.

Thanks to everyone for their love and support. An update with a bit of additional background:

Since early in her hospital stay, Heidi's mom has been on a CPAP machine - a machine that provides constant air pressure into someone's breathing track that is used with sleep apnea patients to stop their airways from closing as they sleep. However, with Heidi's mom's weakening lungs, it was found that the machine increased her breathing capacity, and it was left on 24 hours a day. Before the hospital gave it to her, carbon dioxide built in her blood, causing her to spend her first 24 hours in the hospital asleep, nearly comatose. While wearing the CPAP mask, however, she has regained her faculties, sleeping more normally and feeling better.

She has been removing the mask only for short periods to eat or visit with someone (the mask makes speaking difficult), but it was becoming clearer over time that she was not going to be able to breathe normally again without the machine. When she removed it for more than an hour or so, the sleepiness would start to return as her carbon dioxide levels rose. In essence, the CPAP machine has been acting as a kind of ventilator, but that was not in accordance with resuscitation wishes she has expressed. When the doctor told her that if she did not wear the CPAP mask, she would fall asleep, slip into a coma and pass away, she indicated that that was what she wanted.

That was a few days ago, and since then her two outstanding children have returned, and she has a steady stream of friends and relatives come through her hospital room to say goodbye. The last of these left a little while ago, and after that visit, she asked that we not put her mask back on, and we did not. Since that time, Heidi and her father, brother and sister have been around her mom's bed. They have shared stories and told jokes and sung songs. Heidi's mom has become more and more tired, but has not yet let herself slip into unconsciousness. That will come at some point very soon.

Thank you for the update. I am so sorry that you both are going through this. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.

Much love to you all there by her side. I'm glad you can be there with her. My wish is that her passing comes peacefully and painlessly. I'm glad she is at peace with this and hope the family can feel the same peace during this difficult time.

I am there with you in spirit.

Tom, thanks for taking the time to post the updates. I share in Lisa's wishes for a peaceful passing and peace and joy to the family. Big hugs to you and Heidi during this difficult time and hugs to Heidi's mom to take on her journey

Big love from us, too. I'm glad that Heidi and her mom were able to share laughter together.

It's very hard to watch someone go. I hope it comes peacefully. Thinking of you all.

Thinking of you all.

Heidi's mom is a brave woman. I'm glad she was able to choose her time to go, painlessly.

Wishing all of you peace.

Adding to what's already been said.

Wishing her peace.

May she have all the peace, love and joy as she finds a new life without pain.

And I wish you and the family much comfort and love.

I just got a call from Tom. Heidi's Mom passed a little while ago. The family was all with her. I'll post more info about arrangements when the info is available.

My deepest sympathies to Heidi, Tom and all the family.

My condolences to Heidi, Tom and the family.

She raised a great daughter, so I'm sure she was a great lady. My sympathies to the whole family.

Hugs to Heidi and Tom and the whole family.

I am sorry for the expected news. My sympathy for your loss, my friend. :(

Well said, SL, you are correct.

Lovely Heidi, I'm so sorry for your loss, but heartened that you and Tom were able to be there. And glad that she was surrounded by love as she left.

Even bigger-than-usual hugs from me when I see you again.

My sympathies.

Keep us updated on arrangements.

Major hugs to Heidi and Tom

Hugs and condolences from all of the Swanies. :(

There is little one can say or do that makes this any easier.

This too, shall pass. Though it will be one of the hardest things you will ever go through, I hope that the end in some way provides some sort of peace for you and your family.

Our heartfelt condolences. I'm so sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry. (((HUGS)))

You have me deepest sympathies.

Sincerest condolences from Maddie and myself. We'll be keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.

Heidi: Everything I can think of to say sounds like a bad Hallmark card. So, I will just say that I am sorry.

Heidi, my heart is with you.

Much love and peace to you and your family.

My heart goes out to you, Tom and Heidi, and all the family. From what you've posted about your mom, she was an amazing person. I'm so sorry for your loss.

B and I send our condolences and love to Heidi, Tom and the family. **big hugs**

Sorry for those of you who are seeing this multiple places, but I've got few words right now and this is the best I can come up with.

Mom's pain is gone, but her laughter and love will live on in all of the people she touched. And they're numerous. Some of you are among them.

Thank you, all of you, for all of your support and your love. I have been able to read them through the process and they gave me something to hold on to when things were dark. But things weren't always dark. She laughed a little today; even in the most extreme pain, even without the ability to communicate, really, she told us to remember to laugh.

I guess that was longer than my other notes elsewhere. But you know. I love you guys.

Tom will post the arrangements (and the link for online condolences through the funeral home; they're pretty novel for a small-town organization, they even offer video slide shows for a fee. Of course, my household can do that 10x better and for free. Anyway.)

I don't know how to explain how I'm feeling - and I'm sure that will take some time, if ever. But I feel grateful for knowing all of you. Our love.

I don't know the right words to say, but I want you to know that we would give you the biggest hug we could, If we could be there with you.
Love, Hugs & Peaceful wishes for you both.
R&G.

<<HUGS>>

I can't express my sorrow at your loss. It's good to know that you were able to be with her in the end and celebrate her life.

I am so sorry.

I am so very sorry for your loss.

Thought I never had the chance to meet your mom, I thank her for giving you to the world.

All my best to you and Tom

Condolences.

I am oft at a loss for words at a passing, which is why I suppose I have opened this thread several times since that happened without saying anything. I truly am sorry and my heart goes out to you. Not too original, but all I got.

Heidi,

It sounds like your mom found the peace she was looking form. I pray you, Tom, and all of your family find peace and comfort. Her memory and love will always be with you.

~Bob

Remember to laugh. I hope that at the end of my life, that's the wisdom I have to offer.

Thinking about both of you, Heidi and Tom. My condolences to you and your family.

Condolences from Susan and I

Our condolences Heidi and Tom.... so sorry to hear this news. :(

Given that I know you to be a gracious, kind and charming lady Heidi-I am sure your mom was as well. I am so sorry for your loss and I send hugs and hope for peace through difficult times.

Thank you all, again, everyone, for being so supportive to us during this difficult time. It's going to continue to be hard, so thank you in advance for your patience as we find our bearings.

I thought you might enjoy reading the eulogy I wrote for her funeral:

Very nicely done.

What a beautiful way to remember a beautiful woman. Can't wait to hug you, Heidi.

That is just beautiful, Heidi.

Wow, that was beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us.

something in my eye. oh who am I kidding. that totally did me in. That was lovely. Thank you for sharing it.

That was beautiful. Your mom sounds like she was an extraordinary woman. Thank you for sharing with us.

Every day you make your mother proud. Those were amazing words written by one amazing woman about another amazing woman.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. We can all say it and the word doesn't wear thin, because it really is beautiful. You're doing her proud.

Heidi, your Mom had to have been quite an extraordinary woman to have raised someone as wonderful as you are. That was beautiful.

It moves me to tears each time I read it. It's a wonderful tribute.

Your mom was a wonderful woman, Heidi. I wish I could have known her. Our condolences and biggest hugs for you and your family.




Always remember to laugh (even when you're crying).

Beautiful and inspired. She lives on through you and all of her children.