[Tom]

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.