Its been a rough week. I need to share some history and explain who’s who for the full impact.
My mom is the oldest of five kids, two sisters and two brothers. You’ve seen her sisters in my Stitch & Bitch photos. Pat, the older of the two, passed away two years ago. Her younger daughter (who lives in California) is married to the son of another member of our quilting group, Becky, who has been battling some health problems. Mom’s youngest sister, Mickey, is married to Leo, with three adult children, Russ, Joe and Grace. Grace lives in Washington state, halfway across the country. Mike is Mickey’s twin brother.
Last Wednesday, my uncle Leo had a small heart attack. Because Grace and her family were about to leave for a two week vacation and because the heart attack was so small that they weren’t even sure at first that’s what happened, they decided not to tell Grace, afraid she’d cancel the trip to come see them. This was a fantastic vacation, hidden in the wilds of Canada and almost completely out of contact – no phone, no internet. After Grace left, the doctors did an angioplasty and decided that Leo needed a triple bypass, which they scheduled for the weekend. During the surgery they changed their minds and did a quadruple bypass.
Over the weekend, we heard that Becky (my cousin’s mother-in-law and one of the ladies in our quilting group) had taken a turn for the worse.
Monday, my mom’s brother Mike (Mickey’s twin) told us he had been diagnosed with throat cancer.
Tuesday, we learned that Becky had been given last rites.
Wednesday, my uncle Leo came home from the hospital.
Early Friday morning we got a call from my aunt Mickey that they were at the University Hospital and their son, Joe, had shot himself. He would not survive. Through the Canadian Mounted Police, they were able to locate my cousin and she and her husband are flying back tomorrow.
Later that day we learned that Becky had passed away.
Joe’s body is shutting down and he is on life support. His two sons, ages 18 and 21, made the decision to donate his organs and tissue, and they’re just waiting until the recipients can be set up. I am so proud of them for making that choice. Although they’ve had some help from family, Joe did not have life insurance or a will and so they are making all of the decisions and assembling the money to pay for his funeral. There’s been some talk of a golf outing or other fundraiser to help financially. I can’t offer much in the way of money, but I CAN offer a quilt for auction or raffle.
So I don’t end this on the lowest possible note, here’s a quick video of Becky and Patty (not my aunt, just some crazy lady who came by to sew!) at one of our quilting days. Becky is on the right. Watch it – you can’t help but laugh.
Piecemeal Quilts 
I am so very sorry for this **terrible** time your family is going through. It’s not fathomable to have so much tragedy clustered at once. I will be sending prayers of comfort and endurance your way. 😦
So sorry for your loss/es. Just remember the Lord will not give me more than you can handle, although some times, it certainly seems that way. God bless.
When it rains….my heart goes out to you. The whole family is in my prayers. Let me know if I can help promote the auction. I’ll do what I can.
Oh, Sandi, I am so sorry to hear about all of these things happening, and all at once. Take care of yourself and each other. You and your family are in my thoughts.
Well I hope this week is less eventful and you get some pleasant surprises. Virtual friendly hug from across the pacific.
Many blessings on you and your family as you move through this time. Your note says you try to respond to these comments. Please don’t feel any obligation to do so now. Do what you must to support those closest to you, and yourself as well.
Very sweet video… I did have a chuckle but it doesn’t take my mind away from what you and your family are going through, how stressful and heart-wrenching. Take care!
You must be numb. How absolutely dreadful all of this is.
En el momento mas difícil usted recordó este vídeo.10000 cariños para usted.
Oh my goodness you certainly have had your share and more than your share of troubles. My heart goes out to you and your family – sending hugs and prayers your way
They say God only gives you as much as you an handle. Don’t you wonder about that statement at times like this? Sorry to hear you have so many family illnesses and deaths. Congratulation to the boys for donating their fathers organs. Did you know that a donated cornea does not have to be a blood match or a certain age. It just has to be a healthy cornea!
I am so sorry. I will keep all of you in my prayers.
Ooo, it has been a tough time for you and yours. Sending cyber hugs and praying for you.
[…] been a busy, difficult few weeks. My uncle, who was diagnosed with throat in August (see this post about the week from hell), passed away. He declined rapidly in the last few weeks, and I’m both sad that he’s […]