Gone Home

Most of you know by now, but Ashli passed away last night. It's been a whirlwind of activity and we just want to say thank you to the countless individuals who have faithfully prayed for Ashli, lifted her spirits with visits, cards and phone calls, emails and all the fun things you've done to cheer her up.

The arrangements are as follows:

Viewing: This Saturday @ St Mark from 10-2 pm
Service: 2 pm also @ St Mark

A massive thanks to all of you who have been helping out so much the last day or two. You have been a huge help by bringing by food, taking over duties we simply can't tackle right now, and just "being there" to remind us of the good times, make us smile and laugh and pray with us. We know Ashli loved all of you dearly and we love you too.

So Ashli has gone home. We'll miss her, we'll grieve her. Let's be honest. . .there will be a LOT less adventure and humor in the world now that she's gone! ; )

And to Ashli: Thank you for the wittiness, sarcasm & humor you brought to all of our lives. Your courage and bravery were an inspiration to us all. We miss you. We love you.

--Alysia

REM Cycle

Being bedridden is certainly taking its toll. Virually every night I dream I'm up and about and doig something. Often I wake up trying to get out of bed or holding out a glass because it is time for a refill as my amazing friends have taking me to Houlihan's for dinner.

The REM Cycle is amazing. It takes so long for you to realize that it is not your reality. It's all a dream. I've decided I want to pack my bags and just move in to my REM Cycle. Is that bad?

On a more serious note. I have a pretty bad cough with congestion. The doctors have tried a couple meds but nothig seems to be helping and the cough intensifies my pain :(

Your prayers are both needed and appreciated!

Visiting Hours

Hi Everyone~

Thanks so much to all of you who have taken the time to call, drop by or offer to send meals for Ashli, Anne & Joel. The love and support you are showing is just AWESOME!!!

We have just one small request. . .for those of you who want to come visit Ashli, we welcome and encourage you to do that!!! But if you could please call the home phone and leave a message for Anne or Joel letting them know who you are, when you are planning on coming & how they can reach you it would be great!

Ashli has been texting with some people to make arrangements for them to come and visit. . .which is also fine, but sometimes she forgets to tell Anne & Joel and then we have several groups of people showing up at once. If you have been in her bedroom, you know why that's a problem. . .there just is not much room in there! =) Plus, we want to be sensitive and know that your time with Ashli is precious and special & we don't want you to have to "share" her when you are there unless you are coming as a group intentionally.

We thank you so much for your prayers and support we cannot begin to tell you what it means to be uplifted in prayer as a family.

Keep the prayers & visits coming!

Love,

Alysia

Ain't No Title Without Any Real Writing Direction

It's been so long since I've written that I have no clue what I even need to say. I am back at home and set up with Hospice which means that my bedroom now looks strikingly similar to a hospital suite. The majority of my visitors are RN's. Babette asked her amazing friend Debbie to help out and she has been nothing short of a godsend. Anne and Joel have stepped up and become my primary care takers. It is rather humbling to realize that there are people who are willing to put their own lives on hold for the sake of yours. In an earlier blog Alysia mentioned that I have been losing some movement in my legs accompanied by lower back pain. It got painful enough that Dr. Jin ordered an MRI. I wasn't even worried about it because I didn't think anything else could go wrong. Much to my chagrin I learned that the tumor had spread to my spine which in turn caused compound fractures of my vertebrae. Obviously there was some explaination for all my back pain and my lack of ability to move.

As you all continue to pray, please pray for my spirits as well as my physical well-being. I am beginning to feel like I can't catch a single break in this uphill battle and as you can imagine that makes it hard to continue putting all your time, effort and energy into fighting. I think I can only thank God that I have amazing family, friends and supporters who are walking beside me on this difficult journey.

My love to all of you

Update

Ashli wanted me to give another update.

We found out she will not be resuming further treatment in Chicago. They felt it was counter-productive because it was not really helping control her pain like they wanted/expected it to. At times it seemed like it was making her "feel" worse rather than help her.

They are in the process of setting her up with hospice. This will be beneficial b/c "hopefully" that will mean that she won't have to be traipsing back and forth from home to hospital as often. They can set her up with a hospital bed etc at home and all that and it will be a lot more convenient for her and comfortable for her.

They would like to get everything set up at home for Ashli yet this weekend. If anyone is able to help today or tomorrow with moving furniture etc setting up, I know we can use the extra hands. You can call Ashli's home phone number and leave a message where you can be reached and either Joel or one of my parents will get back with you on when they will be doing things today and tomorrow. Thanks for your help and prayers!

--Alysia