Sat - February 9, 2008
Risks
Hi
all, what's new? Today I am just cleaning out more old boxes and going through
things. I came across this saying below and figured I'd share. It's how I feel,
now that Joe is gone and my life is hopefully going to be a bit more on track.
Meet new people, find that full-time job, dance more, continue my screenplay and live life to the fullest, but perhaps with a few more risks than before. Those are my new years goals. Take care and Risk.
Meet new people, find that full-time job, dance more, continue my screenplay and live life to the fullest, but perhaps with a few more risks than before. Those are my new years goals. Take care and Risk.
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental
To reach out for another is to risk involvement
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self
To place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss
To love is to risk not being loved in return
To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair
To try is to risk failure
But Risks must be taken,
because the greatest hazard in life
is to risk nothing
The person who risks nothing does nothing,
has nothing, and is nothing
They may avoid suffering and sorrow but they cannot
learn, feel, change, grow, love, live
Chained by their certitude's they are a slave,
they have forfeited their freedom
Only a person who risks is free
-Anonymous
Posted at 03:16 PM
Sat - January 12, 2008
Very Special, special people in Joe's life and mine
Oh
yea, by the way forgot to mention, got home the other day and a bag was attached
to my door handle. Inside the bag was this really nice sweater from a neighbor
lady, Doris. She had also given me a nice Christmas mug, candy and cookies AND
some polo cologne spray for guys. (watch out girls) I tell you I have the
sweetest bunch of people in this apt complex looking after
me.
Speaking of nice people ... I have been meaning for some time, to talk of these special people in Joe's and my life, but not just now. I'll post an entry on those special people soon.
For now though four of Joe's very, very special people deserve a special mention of kudos and commendation for over the years they made a particular strong tie with Joe. they gave of themselves to make Joe's life just a little bit more sane. They were ... Dixie (here at the apartments), Manuel (Joes prison inmate friend) and Michelle (his case worker) and Father Gimple. Of course there were all the other people at OSH, but these four went the extra mile especially Michelle (or years) and made a lasting impact on Joe. They would hold a special place in the heart for Joe and for me.
That's not to mention of course the number one support team for Joe. Mom and Dad who were Joe's stalwart supporters from day one, who literally gave of themselves till it killed them.
Speaking of nice people ... I have been meaning for some time, to talk of these special people in Joe's and my life, but not just now. I'll post an entry on those special people soon.
For now though four of Joe's very, very special people deserve a special mention of kudos and commendation for over the years they made a particular strong tie with Joe. they gave of themselves to make Joe's life just a little bit more sane. They were ... Dixie (here at the apartments), Manuel (Joes prison inmate friend) and Michelle (his case worker) and Father Gimple. Of course there were all the other people at OSH, but these four went the extra mile especially Michelle (or years) and made a lasting impact on Joe. They would hold a special place in the heart for Joe and for me.
That's not to mention of course the number one support team for Joe. Mom and Dad who were Joe's stalwart supporters from day one, who literally gave of themselves till it killed them.
Posted at 11:10 AM
Today I pick up Joes's remains
Not
looking forward to it, but today I finally will pick-up Joe's remains at
Restlawn funeral home. Ken from the funeral home had been sick with the flu and
I wasn't able to get there till today. Won't be enjoyable as it wasn't with Mom.
To remember the person as they were and then to be handed a small box of their
ashes.
Next on the agenda today take Rene, my 92 year lady friend here in the apartments grocery shopping. Then the always needed laundry on the weekend and cleaning the apartment a bit. If any time left over will write some more job applications out and mail out by Monday. These jobs are for the SD (Senior Disability) all eligibility Specialist positions and though they are unions (I hate unions) will have to apply anyway with hope of landing a full time job. Sunday going to a Mexican luncheon with some new friends from the singles group and see what that is all about.
Well that's my fun weekend plans what are you all up to. Write when you can. Dave
Next on the agenda today take Rene, my 92 year lady friend here in the apartments grocery shopping. Then the always needed laundry on the weekend and cleaning the apartment a bit. If any time left over will write some more job applications out and mail out by Monday. These jobs are for the SD (Senior Disability) all eligibility Specialist positions and though they are unions (I hate unions) will have to apply anyway with hope of landing a full time job. Sunday going to a Mexican luncheon with some new friends from the singles group and see what that is all about.
Well that's my fun weekend plans what are you all up to. Write when you can. Dave
Posted at 09:57 AM
Sat - January 5, 2008
Time for me now!
Hi
ya all, from extremely un-dry Oregon. It has been wet,
wet,
wet, windy
and overall just plain crappy weather here in Salem, but that's Oregon for you
and that's enough about the stupid weather.
I will and have started to think about myself and my plans, but still have a few more things to take care of with Joe first. Need to go out Monday to Restlawn funeral home and pickup his remains and death certificates. Then I want to do a memorial for the iBlog on-line journal for Joe and such.
I have already gone to a New Years Eve dance with a christian group and met a gal or two to dance with. I'll see what goes, as I miss my dancing exercise! I plan on going to places I have wanted to see here in Oregon for a long time, (lots of fun interesting places nearby and in Portland, coast and Mountains etc) but need a better job first. At least I have the weekends free now to do those things where I was always dealing with poor Joe before. I don't know what my plans will be in the immediate future, but I am not looking forward to spending another wonderful wet Oregon winter here. Unless of course I find that perfect job or love of my life. :D Neither have I found yet, but then again hadn't really looked that hard for the latter. :D Have to find the first to get the second!
We had a really nice memorial for Joe on Thursday at the Oregon State Hospital where Joe had resided for so long. A lot of people, patients and staff showed up to give their last respects and reflections about Joe. Sister Sharon, now Chaplain Sharon Collver did the meditation and did a great job. She knew Joe the longest. Chaplain Fabian Juarez gave the greetings and invocation. Chaplain Dan Lioy started the reflections on those who knew Joe, and the Final Benediction was given by Chaplain Paschal Ezurike. A week earlier Father Gimple of St. Patricks church in Independence gave Joe the last rights at OSH. Father Gimple was Joe's favorite priest contact and He looked up to the Father as a model of what Joe wanted to become, but never would.
Joe would have truly appreciated the memorial service, lots of prayers, songs etc in the chapel He was so fond of visiting on sundays in his stay at OSH.
Dixie and I went of course and it was amazing to hear how many lives Joe touched and in such a moving manor. I thanked all the people, staff and patients who were so nice to Joe over the years. Dixie also had some kind words and Her reflections of playing scrabble and cribbage with Joe.
When I left I went out the back way to go home and a beautiful rainbow appeared before me, it was such a pretty sight and it seemed almost as if someone was saying, "your job is over now Dave, Joe is safe in heaven and with Mom and Dad - thank you."
Thank you all for your caring words and support over the years, it meant a lot to me.
Till later, love Dave
I will and have started to think about myself and my plans, but still have a few more things to take care of with Joe first. Need to go out Monday to Restlawn funeral home and pickup his remains and death certificates. Then I want to do a memorial for the iBlog on-line journal for Joe and such.
I have already gone to a New Years Eve dance with a christian group and met a gal or two to dance with. I'll see what goes, as I miss my dancing exercise! I plan on going to places I have wanted to see here in Oregon for a long time, (lots of fun interesting places nearby and in Portland, coast and Mountains etc) but need a better job first. At least I have the weekends free now to do those things where I was always dealing with poor Joe before. I don't know what my plans will be in the immediate future, but I am not looking forward to spending another wonderful wet Oregon winter here. Unless of course I find that perfect job or love of my life. :D Neither have I found yet, but then again hadn't really looked that hard for the latter. :D Have to find the first to get the second!
We had a really nice memorial for Joe on Thursday at the Oregon State Hospital where Joe had resided for so long. A lot of people, patients and staff showed up to give their last respects and reflections about Joe. Sister Sharon, now Chaplain Sharon Collver did the meditation and did a great job. She knew Joe the longest. Chaplain Fabian Juarez gave the greetings and invocation. Chaplain Dan Lioy started the reflections on those who knew Joe, and the Final Benediction was given by Chaplain Paschal Ezurike. A week earlier Father Gimple of St. Patricks church in Independence gave Joe the last rights at OSH. Father Gimple was Joe's favorite priest contact and He looked up to the Father as a model of what Joe wanted to become, but never would.
Joe would have truly appreciated the memorial service, lots of prayers, songs etc in the chapel He was so fond of visiting on sundays in his stay at OSH.
Dixie and I went of course and it was amazing to hear how many lives Joe touched and in such a moving manor. I thanked all the people, staff and patients who were so nice to Joe over the years. Dixie also had some kind words and Her reflections of playing scrabble and cribbage with Joe.
When I left I went out the back way to go home and a beautiful rainbow appeared before me, it was such a pretty sight and it seemed almost as if someone was saying, "your job is over now Dave, Joe is safe in heaven and with Mom and Dad - thank you."
Thank you all for your caring words and support over the years, it meant a lot to me.
Till later, love Dave
Posted at 07:05 PM
Sun - December 23, 2007
My brother Joe has passed!
Today
(Saturday) Joe was really out of it. When I got there around 11 a.m. he awoke
from his fitful half sleep state and says almost cheerfully
"Oh Hi
Dave" then promptly fades off again. All the
time I was there, he mostly breathed very heavily, eyes rolled back and awaking
only briefly from time-to-time. After 5 hours of listening to his death rattle I
could bear it no longer and with a headache and heartache went home for dinner.
I left instructions for the hospital (OSH) to call me anytime if Joe asked for
me or if they thought he was getting closer to death. I was certain they
would.
_______________________________
I just got back from (OSH) Oregon State Hospital, it is 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Joe died what looked to me as a horrible and agonizing manner at 12:15 a.m. Though they were giving Joe Morphine, his body and spirit fighting the cancer to the bitter end was unpleasant to witness.
They had called me back about 11 p.m. telling me Joe was awake and asking for me. I rush there and Joe looks up and sees me and says thanks for coming. Half awake he repeatedly thanks me and then begins to yell "Oh GOD, oh God, you are my God, Oh Jesus Oh Jesus" "Dave pray with me, pray with me...Now Dave, Now!" We prayed then after a short while he falls back into his fitful half sleep but with his eyes half open. His breathing became more labored each minute as he slowly drowns to death in his dam cancer. He wakes one more time, looks at me, and asks me again to hold his hand, and then with so much fear in his eyes softly tells me "I am scared Dave".
Mom had told me the same thing at about the same period during her death. I can't tell you how terrible it was to sit through all that. It was just so painful and horrible an experience. Mother's was bad enough, but at least in her coma state she finally just stopped breathing without the entire trauma that Joe had to go through. That at least was my hopeful prayer for Mom. You don't know really what they hear or feel in a coma.
I can truly understand now and empathize why some people would rather not see or go through it. I thank God though there are those amazingly caring people who truly care for the terminally ill. Nurses, Doctors, case monitors, paramedics, friends and finally hospice people all willing to give of themselves to those in medical need. They are all real Angels on earth.
It was the saddest thing to watch someone you care for die before your eyes in such an agonizing way. The dam cancer was rotting his insides out. You could hear it in his death rattle. Like a volcano's inner fire rising from deep within, you could hear it. Where just hours before Joe's body was cold and clammy it now was on-fire, and almost hot to the touch. His breathing becoming more and more labored, the cancer growing stronger and stronger like a wild unstoppable beast. I yelled at the nurse to come in, and asked was there anything else they could do to ease his suffering. She left for more morphine then administered to Joe. We also briefly discuss aspirating Joe. He had signed a do not resuscitate paper, but this would only be to make him more comfortable in his final moments. Now though, only through his death could Joe hope to stop the cancer inside him. Joe's body convulsing slower and slower, he sheds a final single tear and mercifully it was finally over.
Rereading my last entry here, I did not mean to come across as morbid with the details of Joe's death. I only wish to remember for myself in this journal (for the future) what exactly happen to my brother Joe. It is my way of venting I guess this horrible night, as I wish never to have to experience the horror of his death with another loved one ever again.
I am just in shock now and I feel I just want to go to sleep to forget this night ever happened. Restlawn funeral home will pick Joe up tonight. They will cremate him per Mother's wishes. Poor Joe had suffered so much for so long, and I am just glad for him that it is now over and he is suffering no more. I at times think of the lyrics of the song that says, "He's not heavy, he's my brother" I was saddened by his passing, but glad I could be there for him and relieved that finally his suffering is over. He put up a courageous fight with odds totally stacked against him. His bad luck would have broken the spirit of the best of us, but Joe had the patience of Job in the Old testament as if God was punishing him with all his afflictions. (Epilepsy, mental illness and then his cancer) Joe often would site that passage to me many times over the years and he wondered why God was so testing him? Joe felt that he had done something unfavorable to God to cause all his suffering. Nothing I would say had convinced him otherwise.
In Joe's belonging's there were many saved cards, most were humorous but this one stood out for me -- it simple said "I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top." That was one of Joe's voiced discontents to me so many, many times over the years. "Why me Dave, why me?" he would ask, and yet I fear I really never gave him his answer he so fought for.
Poor Joe, he just wanted to be a Priest and serve the Lord. Hopefully now in death he can finally realize his only wish.
Goodbye my brother Joe, rest in peace and may God grant you your final request. You will be missed. Dave
_______________________________
I just got back from (OSH) Oregon State Hospital, it is 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Joe died what looked to me as a horrible and agonizing manner at 12:15 a.m. Though they were giving Joe Morphine, his body and spirit fighting the cancer to the bitter end was unpleasant to witness.
They had called me back about 11 p.m. telling me Joe was awake and asking for me. I rush there and Joe looks up and sees me and says thanks for coming. Half awake he repeatedly thanks me and then begins to yell "Oh GOD, oh God, you are my God, Oh Jesus Oh Jesus" "Dave pray with me, pray with me...Now Dave, Now!" We prayed then after a short while he falls back into his fitful half sleep but with his eyes half open. His breathing became more labored each minute as he slowly drowns to death in his dam cancer. He wakes one more time, looks at me, and asks me again to hold his hand, and then with so much fear in his eyes softly tells me "I am scared Dave".
Mom had told me the same thing at about the same period during her death. I can't tell you how terrible it was to sit through all that. It was just so painful and horrible an experience. Mother's was bad enough, but at least in her coma state she finally just stopped breathing without the entire trauma that Joe had to go through. That at least was my hopeful prayer for Mom. You don't know really what they hear or feel in a coma.
I can truly understand now and empathize why some people would rather not see or go through it. I thank God though there are those amazingly caring people who truly care for the terminally ill. Nurses, Doctors, case monitors, paramedics, friends and finally hospice people all willing to give of themselves to those in medical need. They are all real Angels on earth.
It was the saddest thing to watch someone you care for die before your eyes in such an agonizing way. The dam cancer was rotting his insides out. You could hear it in his death rattle. Like a volcano's inner fire rising from deep within, you could hear it. Where just hours before Joe's body was cold and clammy it now was on-fire, and almost hot to the touch. His breathing becoming more and more labored, the cancer growing stronger and stronger like a wild unstoppable beast. I yelled at the nurse to come in, and asked was there anything else they could do to ease his suffering. She left for more morphine then administered to Joe. We also briefly discuss aspirating Joe. He had signed a do not resuscitate paper, but this would only be to make him more comfortable in his final moments. Now though, only through his death could Joe hope to stop the cancer inside him. Joe's body convulsing slower and slower, he sheds a final single tear and mercifully it was finally over.
Rereading my last entry here, I did not mean to come across as morbid with the details of Joe's death. I only wish to remember for myself in this journal (for the future) what exactly happen to my brother Joe. It is my way of venting I guess this horrible night, as I wish never to have to experience the horror of his death with another loved one ever again.
I am just in shock now and I feel I just want to go to sleep to forget this night ever happened. Restlawn funeral home will pick Joe up tonight. They will cremate him per Mother's wishes. Poor Joe had suffered so much for so long, and I am just glad for him that it is now over and he is suffering no more. I at times think of the lyrics of the song that says, "He's not heavy, he's my brother" I was saddened by his passing, but glad I could be there for him and relieved that finally his suffering is over. He put up a courageous fight with odds totally stacked against him. His bad luck would have broken the spirit of the best of us, but Joe had the patience of Job in the Old testament as if God was punishing him with all his afflictions. (Epilepsy, mental illness and then his cancer) Joe often would site that passage to me many times over the years and he wondered why God was so testing him? Joe felt that he had done something unfavorable to God to cause all his suffering. Nothing I would say had convinced him otherwise.
In Joe's belonging's there were many saved cards, most were humorous but this one stood out for me -- it simple said "I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top." That was one of Joe's voiced discontents to me so many, many times over the years. "Why me Dave, why me?" he would ask, and yet I fear I really never gave him his answer he so fought for.
Poor Joe, he just wanted to be a Priest and serve the Lord. Hopefully now in death he can finally realize his only wish.
Goodbye my brother Joe, rest in peace and may God grant you your final request. You will be missed. Dave
Posted at 01:38 AM
Fri - December 21, 2007
Joe's energizer battery is finally giving up!
Seen
Joe today (12/21/07) in ward 35B, poor guys been going downhill the last month,
but recently faster. Just last weekend I had took Joe home again for an outing
here in the apartment for the day. We went to church but Joe could not sit
because of the pain.
Due to his deteriorating condition they put him back into 35B a few days ago, a medical ward. Today he was asleep when I arrived, awoke for awhile and asked me to help him in the bathroom. I had to get to work by noon so had to leave soon afterwards. He used the walker but slow and painfully. Joe told me "please Dave don't give up on me", and I said "I'm not going anywhere Joe, I won't leave you." Then Joe says, "I mean, don't give up on me, I not going to die yet."
Joe was very confused where he was and kept asking for his underpants pointing to locked drawers in the sick room they have him in. I explained they were locked and besides they wanted him to wear the diapers they put on him to help his bed sores.
Called Brother Dick to tell him it may only be days left, perhaps a week on the outside. He and Steve may come up the 29th or so. I fear that will be too late.
It has been 4 years 10 months and 26 days that I have been here ... not that I am counting, but I am amazed that Joe has lasted so long given that the Doctors had given him only a few years to live and that was 6 years ago. When I first arrived they said at that time they thought he only had a few months left. I joke that Joe has had an energizer battery in him that kept him going and going and going.
I spoke with all the doctors recently and just today with Hospice. The doctors say that the cancer must have been damaging Joe's kidneys even more than expected and the dialysis treatment is practically useless at this stage. Joe had told them he was ready to quit anyways. Joe has many painful bed sores (ulcers) on his rear from sitting all the time and unable to last the 4 hours required for the full dialysis treatment. Last week Joe asked me if he should continue dialysis. I explained you could live a long time with cancer and maybe even go in remission, but without your kidneys to purify your system of toxins -- a week or two is all you could take before you die.
I think Joe actually suspected the end was near and was tired of all the pain and suffering and that's why he decided to stop the treatment. Joe has had the worst luck of anyone I know and I just pray he will go quietly in his sleep and suffer no more.
Please send a card if you can before it is too late, if Joe can even understand in his confused state. I think it would give him some closure and sense that his family still thinks of him. He often expresses his feeling of abandonment to me. I will probably only have one more entry for Joe when he passes, in the meantime take care and have a happy holiday. Dave
Due to his deteriorating condition they put him back into 35B a few days ago, a medical ward. Today he was asleep when I arrived, awoke for awhile and asked me to help him in the bathroom. I had to get to work by noon so had to leave soon afterwards. He used the walker but slow and painfully. Joe told me "please Dave don't give up on me", and I said "I'm not going anywhere Joe, I won't leave you." Then Joe says, "I mean, don't give up on me, I not going to die yet."
Joe was very confused where he was and kept asking for his underpants pointing to locked drawers in the sick room they have him in. I explained they were locked and besides they wanted him to wear the diapers they put on him to help his bed sores.
Called Brother Dick to tell him it may only be days left, perhaps a week on the outside. He and Steve may come up the 29th or so. I fear that will be too late.
It has been 4 years 10 months and 26 days that I have been here ... not that I am counting, but I am amazed that Joe has lasted so long given that the Doctors had given him only a few years to live and that was 6 years ago. When I first arrived they said at that time they thought he only had a few months left. I joke that Joe has had an energizer battery in him that kept him going and going and going.
I spoke with all the doctors recently and just today with Hospice. The doctors say that the cancer must have been damaging Joe's kidneys even more than expected and the dialysis treatment is practically useless at this stage. Joe had told them he was ready to quit anyways. Joe has many painful bed sores (ulcers) on his rear from sitting all the time and unable to last the 4 hours required for the full dialysis treatment. Last week Joe asked me if he should continue dialysis. I explained you could live a long time with cancer and maybe even go in remission, but without your kidneys to purify your system of toxins -- a week or two is all you could take before you die.
I think Joe actually suspected the end was near and was tired of all the pain and suffering and that's why he decided to stop the treatment. Joe has had the worst luck of anyone I know and I just pray he will go quietly in his sleep and suffer no more.
Please send a card if you can before it is too late, if Joe can even understand in his confused state. I think it would give him some closure and sense that his family still thinks of him. He often expresses his feeling of abandonment to me. I will probably only have one more entry for Joe when he passes, in the meantime take care and have a happy holiday. Dave
Posted at 11:56 PM
Mon - November 5, 2007
Poor, Poor Joe!
Poor
brother Joe is so bad lately and I feel so helpless to help. I take him on a day
outing each Sunday, but we never go much of anywhere other than Church, maybe
out to eat then back to my pad for the remainder of the day till 8
p.m.
Yesterday Joe gets in the car and on the way to church he starts to belabor one of his long stories of what goes on at OSH. He starts by saying how he was having a particular bad evening with little or no sleep due to the pain. So he says he gets up from his bedroom and goes out to the day room to try to sleep on the couch. This story has taken 15 mins so far, when he finally tells me of a patient who had come out and started to holler and scream at the top of his lungs all sort of strange angry things, then comes over to Joe and says "You want to fight?" Joe just looked at him and says nothing, then the mental patient goes to the kitchen still screaming and caring on. Joe says he was concerned he would wake the entire ward and no staff came out to quiet the patient down, this goes on for at least 10 mins Joe says. Then he goes back over to Joe who is minding his own business, AND CLOBBERS JOE IN THE FACE! I was in shock after hearing that and simply said "WHAT" Hit him right on the jaw really hard! Joe seemed so matter of fact about it, yet I was fuming!
Poor Joe is in so much pain with the cancer and weak bones, and this lunatic goes off on him. I was so worried about this from day one as was Joe's former case monitor. (remember Joe is in a ward full of rapists, pedophiles, stalkers, murderers and such and they are all raving nuts. We both thought Joe's luck has been been pretty good so far. Dam, is all I can say. We are of course writing a grievance to the ward unit Director.
Joe's condition is so bad, with growths on his tongue and ears, constant pain and depressed as all hell. He can't walk much and confined to a wheel chair, and has a really hard time hearing due to these growths in his ears.
All I can do is bath him, and cook him some food. Wish the lord could cure him or let him go. He's really in hell right now. Well, have to run - hope your days are better. Dave
Yesterday Joe gets in the car and on the way to church he starts to belabor one of his long stories of what goes on at OSH. He starts by saying how he was having a particular bad evening with little or no sleep due to the pain. So he says he gets up from his bedroom and goes out to the day room to try to sleep on the couch. This story has taken 15 mins so far, when he finally tells me of a patient who had come out and started to holler and scream at the top of his lungs all sort of strange angry things, then comes over to Joe and says "You want to fight?" Joe just looked at him and says nothing, then the mental patient goes to the kitchen still screaming and caring on. Joe says he was concerned he would wake the entire ward and no staff came out to quiet the patient down, this goes on for at least 10 mins Joe says. Then he goes back over to Joe who is minding his own business, AND CLOBBERS JOE IN THE FACE! I was in shock after hearing that and simply said "WHAT" Hit him right on the jaw really hard! Joe seemed so matter of fact about it, yet I was fuming!
Poor Joe is in so much pain with the cancer and weak bones, and this lunatic goes off on him. I was so worried about this from day one as was Joe's former case monitor. (remember Joe is in a ward full of rapists, pedophiles, stalkers, murderers and such and they are all raving nuts. We both thought Joe's luck has been been pretty good so far. Dam, is all I can say. We are of course writing a grievance to the ward unit Director.
Joe's condition is so bad, with growths on his tongue and ears, constant pain and depressed as all hell. He can't walk much and confined to a wheel chair, and has a really hard time hearing due to these growths in his ears.
All I can do is bath him, and cook him some food. Wish the lord could cure him or let him go. He's really in hell right now. Well, have to run - hope your days are better. Dave
Posted at 02:37 PM
Mon - September 24, 2007
What's wrong with Joe?
What
is wrong with Joe these days? Well, it might be easier to tell you what's right.
NOT
MUCH! Poor guy is suffering endlessly.
Physically he is in much pain and often contemplating suicide. He still feels
the call to the priesthood, but sometimes he also feels as if he's missed his
calling because he's so unfit with cancer, kidney failure and general poor
health. Joe says he would like -- in honor of Mom and Dad, to have all the
relatives Bev and Art, Arley Ray, Bonnie Ann and Joan and Harry Clancy and close
friends to see him in the cloth (the catholic priesthood).
Joe spent the last two days (weekend) here with me. He got a two day pass, (usually it has been only one day) and we haven't the opportunity to go do anything yet. He is just too sickly. Joe has a growth, actually two on his tongue that the Doctor's think may be cancerous but Joe won't let them do a biopsy. His whole body from head to foot is wracked with aches and pains.
Joe says he misses his family, friends and freedom but mostly his health. Needs family support greatly he says. Wish all the family and friends are doing better than he Joe says, mostly in the physical sense. Joe says God be with you and may the love of God sustain you throughout your life. Take care all of you, Dave and Joe
Joe spent the last two days (weekend) here with me. He got a two day pass, (usually it has been only one day) and we haven't the opportunity to go do anything yet. He is just too sickly. Joe has a growth, actually two on his tongue that the Doctor's think may be cancerous but Joe won't let them do a biopsy. His whole body from head to foot is wracked with aches and pains.
Joe says he misses his family, friends and freedom but mostly his health. Needs family support greatly he says. Wish all the family and friends are doing better than he Joe says, mostly in the physical sense. Joe says God be with you and may the love of God sustain you throughout your life. Take care all of you, Dave and Joe
Posted at 09:45 AM
Sat - September 22, 2007
"Unto Us Seven Sons Were Given"
Hello
all, here is a Christmas card design the folks made special one Christmas
Season, many, many years ago. Somewhere about christmas of '61. Wish I knew who
wrote the words as they are priceless. Came across it the other day and wanted
to share with all of you. Have a great day.
Dave
BETWEEN the innocence of babyhood and the dignity of manhood we find a delightful creature called a boy. Boys come in assorted sizes, weights, and colors, but all boys have the same creed: To enjoy every second of every minute of every hour of every day and to protest with noise (their only weapon) when their last minute is finished and the adult males pack them off to bed at night.
Boys are found everywhere — on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around, or jumping to. Mothers love them, little girls hate them, older sisters and brothers tolerate them, adults ignore them, and Heaven protects them. A boy is Truth with dirt on its face, Beauty with a cut on its finger, Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair, and the Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket.
When you are busy, a boy is an inconsiderate, bothersome, intruding jangle of noise. When you want him to make a good impression, his brain turns to jelly or else he becomes a savage, sadistic jungle creature bent on destroying the world and himself with it.
"Unto Us Seven Sons Were Given"
A boy is a composite — he has the appetite of a horse, the digestion of a sword swallower, the energy of a pocket-size atomic bomb, the curiosity of a cat, the lungs of a dictator, the imagination of a Paul Bunyan, the shyness of a violet, the audacity of a steel trap, the enthusiasm of a firecracker, and when he makes something he has five thumbs on each hand.
He likes ice cream, knives, saws, Christmas, comic books, the boy across the street, woods, water (in its natural habitat), large animals, Dad, trains, Saturday mornings, and fire engines. He is not much for Sunday School, company, schools, books without pictures, music lessons, neckties, barbers, girls, overcoats, adults, or bedtime.
Nobody else is so early to rise, or so late to supper. Nobody else gets so much fun out of trees, dogs, and breezes. Nobody else can cram into one pocket a rusty knife, a half-eaten apple, 3 feet of string, an empty Bull Durham sack, 2 gum drops, 6 cents, a sling shot, a chunk of unknown substance, and a genuine supersonic code ring with a secret compartment.
A boy is a magical creature — you can lock him out of your workshop, but you can't lock him out of your heart. You can get him out of your study, but you can't get him out of your mind. Might as well give up—he is your captor, your jailer, your boss, and your master—a freckle-faced, pint-sized, cat-chasing bundle of noise. But when you come home at night with only the shattered pieces of your hopes and dreams, he can mend them like new with the two magic words —"Hi Dad!"
_____________________________________________
O God, when You made boys and fitted each into his proper little niche in our hearts, I would Thou hadst made mine just as he is, just as he is; and may he, too, one day know the proud, the joyful, the sweet and sad agonies of parental love and have the wisdom to control it. Amen.
BETWEEN the innocence of babyhood and the dignity of manhood we find a delightful creature called a boy. Boys come in assorted sizes, weights, and colors, but all boys have the same creed: To enjoy every second of every minute of every hour of every day and to protest with noise (their only weapon) when their last minute is finished and the adult males pack them off to bed at night.
Boys are found everywhere — on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around, or jumping to. Mothers love them, little girls hate them, older sisters and brothers tolerate them, adults ignore them, and Heaven protects them. A boy is Truth with dirt on its face, Beauty with a cut on its finger, Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair, and the Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket.
When you are busy, a boy is an inconsiderate, bothersome, intruding jangle of noise. When you want him to make a good impression, his brain turns to jelly or else he becomes a savage, sadistic jungle creature bent on destroying the world and himself with it.
"Unto Us Seven Sons Were Given"
A boy is a composite — he has the appetite of a horse, the digestion of a sword swallower, the energy of a pocket-size atomic bomb, the curiosity of a cat, the lungs of a dictator, the imagination of a Paul Bunyan, the shyness of a violet, the audacity of a steel trap, the enthusiasm of a firecracker, and when he makes something he has five thumbs on each hand.
He likes ice cream, knives, saws, Christmas, comic books, the boy across the street, woods, water (in its natural habitat), large animals, Dad, trains, Saturday mornings, and fire engines. He is not much for Sunday School, company, schools, books without pictures, music lessons, neckties, barbers, girls, overcoats, adults, or bedtime.
Nobody else is so early to rise, or so late to supper. Nobody else gets so much fun out of trees, dogs, and breezes. Nobody else can cram into one pocket a rusty knife, a half-eaten apple, 3 feet of string, an empty Bull Durham sack, 2 gum drops, 6 cents, a sling shot, a chunk of unknown substance, and a genuine supersonic code ring with a secret compartment.
A boy is a magical creature — you can lock him out of your workshop, but you can't lock him out of your heart. You can get him out of your study, but you can't get him out of your mind. Might as well give up—he is your captor, your jailer, your boss, and your master—a freckle-faced, pint-sized, cat-chasing bundle of noise. But when you come home at night with only the shattered pieces of your hopes and dreams, he can mend them like new with the two magic words —"Hi Dad!"
_____________________________________________
O God, when You made boys and fitted each into his proper little niche in our hearts, I would Thou hadst made mine just as he is, just as he is; and may he, too, one day know the proud, the joyful, the sweet and sad agonies of parental love and have the wisdom to control it. Amen.
Posted at 07:26 PM
Mon - September 3, 2007
Hello all! How's it going?
Hi
ya all, well been so busy looking for work, have no time it seems to update this
blog. Sorry! I have no job at Marion Polk food share as of last Friday, but
start 30 days at Easter Seals looking for work and answering phones. Wish me
luck!
I've had two house guests as of late. One invited and one not. Flora and Shirley (Twins) from my high-school days. Shirley was my high-school sweetheart, though now she is just a trouble-making quest. :D
Flora her twin sister came out to visit and stay with me a short while all-the-long looking for work as a live-in caregiver. She wanted to live at the coast as that is where she's dreamt of being for a long, long time. Shirley and Flora had shared a live-in caregiving position in Georgia until the man died recently.
Flora had been with me almost a month when her sister Shirley shows up and then all hell broke lose. They both left for the coast and within 3 days were at each-others throats and went their separate ways. Shirley came back and needed to stay with me until she found her live in job and Flora bought a $3000 motor-home and is now living her dream at the coast. They are both strange little gals, both fun to have around yet also a royal pain in the ass at times:D
Brother Joe is not doing well, but I will get into that perhaps later today as I want to continue with my house duties and get prepared for tomorrows fun! :Dave
I've had two house guests as of late. One invited and one not. Flora and Shirley (Twins) from my high-school days. Shirley was my high-school sweetheart, though now she is just a trouble-making quest. :D
Flora her twin sister came out to visit and stay with me a short while all-the-long looking for work as a live-in caregiver. She wanted to live at the coast as that is where she's dreamt of being for a long, long time. Shirley and Flora had shared a live-in caregiving position in Georgia until the man died recently.
Flora had been with me almost a month when her sister Shirley shows up and then all hell broke lose. They both left for the coast and within 3 days were at each-others throats and went their separate ways. Shirley came back and needed to stay with me until she found her live in job and Flora bought a $3000 motor-home and is now living her dream at the coast. They are both strange little gals, both fun to have around yet also a royal pain in the ass at times:D
Brother Joe is not doing well, but I will get into that perhaps later today as I want to continue with my house duties and get prepared for tomorrows fun! :Dave
Posted at 10:23 AM
Thu - May 10, 2007
Mom's Gradeschool/highschool picture book her teacher made
This
booklet of pictures was created by Mothers high-school teacher Miss Lee in 1939.
I re-created it in Keynote (like powerpoint) and was saved as a QuickTime Movie.
Shows Mom in her high-school years prior to meeting Dad.
This is a large (2.4 MB) file I created for Mom ... DO NOT attempt to open if you are only on dial up modem. If you have broadband should be OK, but may take some time. Let me know if you can view it. thanks, Dave
Well heck, I checked the site and the movie does not work, and I don't know why. Will work on it when I get time.
The Poem below, written by Mom's teacher is in the quicktime movie above, but hard to read,
so here it is full size. Have a great day. Dave
This is a large (2.4 MB) file I created for Mom ... DO NOT attempt to open if you are only on dial up modem. If you have broadband should be OK, but may take some time. Let me know if you can view it. thanks, Dave
Well heck, I checked the site and the movie does not work, and I don't know why. Will work on it when I get time.
The Poem below, written by Mom's teacher is in the quicktime movie above, but hard to read,
so here it is full size. Have a great day. Dave
Posted at 01:48 PM
Sun - January 21, 2007
Folks Cruise 1988
In
1988 Parents took a well deserved vacation cruise with their close friend's the
Clancy's. They flew down and then drove to Ft. Lauderdale to board the Holland
America's Westerdam. They cruised to the Bahamas, Cancun and several other
places and had a wonderful time. Betty and Joan really liked all the attention
from the cute little cabin boys. They really spoiled them Joan says.
Posted at 05:12 PM
Mon - December 25, 2006
Merry HO HO Christmas Everyone!
Hi
ya all, from Wet, cold miserable Oregon
--
Had to take a picture of this house I pass on my way home every evening. Think the guy has the Christmas spirit or what? I had just finished finding the right exposure for this shot when the owner drives up with his humongous truck and it totally obscured the view of the home and lights. Don't know why he bothers with the lights if he's going to block the view anyway. :D You can see the house is not very large at all. Slightly bigger than their green garage on the left.
Joe and I sitting in the visitors room of OSH goofing around with the camera Christmas Eve.
Hope your Christmas was great and the new year brings us all joy and happiness. Take care, :Dave & Joe.
P.S. : Thanks to Joan Clancy who sent me some recent pictures
P.S. : Thanks to Joan Clancy who sent me some recent pictures of our family, that I am just now getting around to scanning and posting (Joe, age 12 insert above).
I'll try to scan and post others when time permits. Belated thanks Joan, I really appreciated all the pictures you sent of Mom and Dads cruise as well as the cruise ships "Certificate of Renewal of the Vows of Marriage" that the folks did on their 1989 cruise. I'll share all the images with Joe on my next visit. He really enjoys receiving pictures, makes him feel grounded and not forgotten.
Aunt Bev had sent Joe a family shot of all the Jacobsen's (Art's 70th B-day picnic 7-'04) with kids and grandkids. Joe puts it up along with several others whenever he plays his football card games in his room. I know it sounds a bit odd, but hey, that's Joe! :D Thanks again Joan and Bev.
Had to take a picture of this house I pass on my way home every evening. Think the guy has the Christmas spirit or what? I had just finished finding the right exposure for this shot when the owner drives up with his humongous truck and it totally obscured the view of the home and lights. Don't know why he bothers with the lights if he's going to block the view anyway. :D You can see the house is not very large at all. Slightly bigger than their green garage on the left.
Joe and I sitting in the visitors room of OSH goofing around with the camera Christmas Eve.
Hope your Christmas was great and the new year brings us all joy and happiness. Take care, :Dave & Joe.
P.S. : Thanks to Joan Clancy who sent me some recent pictures
P.S. : Thanks to Joan Clancy who sent me some recent pictures of our family, that I am just now getting around to scanning and posting (Joe, age 12 insert above).
I'll try to scan and post others when time permits. Belated thanks Joan, I really appreciated all the pictures you sent of Mom and Dads cruise as well as the cruise ships "Certificate of Renewal of the Vows of Marriage" that the folks did on their 1989 cruise. I'll share all the images with Joe on my next visit. He really enjoys receiving pictures, makes him feel grounded and not forgotten.
Aunt Bev had sent Joe a family shot of all the Jacobsen's (Art's 70th B-day picnic 7-'04) with kids and grandkids. Joe puts it up along with several others whenever he plays his football card games in his room. I know it sounds a bit odd, but hey, that's Joe! :D Thanks again Joan and Bev.
Posted at 07:51 PM
Thu - December 21, 2006
Joe's never-ending dilemma
Well Merry Christmas everyone or Happy holidays if that offends you.
Been having the usual Bureaucracy BS lately with Joe and getting him released for outings. 12/19/06 Talked to a Mr. Dan Petre-Miller, the Unit Director of Ward 35C at the OSH re Joe and Why he can't go to a Christmas dinner outing (that was confirmed initially). He sited a new risk assessment was made recently on him that had changed Joe's status. He is listed as a high profile crime offender (sexual assault) because of the lady Nurse Joe allegedly attacked several years back. She was well connected and had made the complaint soon after Joe's attack, but took 5 months of bureaucracy to get it going. I should and will go for guardianship for Joe and looking into that. Should help more with Joe's outings etc.
Well again here's hoping you all will have a great and Merry Christmas and that all your new years hopes and wishes come true. Dave
Posted at 03:31 PM
Wed - November 29, 2006
Joe's latest news
Been
awhile I realize but, looking for work and working a temp job and visits with
Joe and trying to figure ways to keep the electric bill paid are keeping me very
busy.
Joe is Joe - still mentally unbalanced or confused and at times very, very stubborn. You cannot tell him anything but what he chooses to believe (the hell with the Facts) and that is frustrating to me. He gets what he calls his his fainting spells, which is actually a paranoid schizophrenia event according to the doctors. Yet, if you tell him that, he will not hear it and stubbornly maintains it is something else. I have given up trying and I serious doubt any of the doctors are even trying or also have given up.
I visited Joe last weekend at his Dialysis center Davita www.davita.com very impressive operation with great caring people.
In a lighter tone, recently Joe celebrated his 45th birthday (locked up at OSH) and all went fairly well, meaning no fainting spells. One of his case workers brought him some little gifts (I brought a chocolate cake and myself, plus he beat me at cribbage :D) Here's what his case worker brought him.
Joe is Joe - still mentally unbalanced or confused and at times very, very stubborn. You cannot tell him anything but what he chooses to believe (the hell with the Facts) and that is frustrating to me. He gets what he calls his his fainting spells, which is actually a paranoid schizophrenia event according to the doctors. Yet, if you tell him that, he will not hear it and stubbornly maintains it is something else. I have given up trying and I serious doubt any of the doctors are even trying or also have given up.
I visited Joe last weekend at his Dialysis center Davita www.davita.com very impressive operation with great caring people.
In a lighter tone, recently Joe celebrated his 45th birthday (locked up at OSH) and all went fairly well, meaning no fainting spells. One of his case workers brought him some little gifts (I brought a chocolate cake and myself, plus he beat me at cribbage :D) Here's what his case worker brought him.
1. Natural Oatmeal and Almond moisturizing
soap
2. Chocolate coated crisped Rice treat (in a
football shape)
3. A little Geek man about 1"
tall?
4. A nice little journal for Joe to write
in
5. Joe's favorite - A Bible CD on audio for Psalms
1-42
6. GI soldier figurines ?
7. Bath butter Olive Sage
8. Bible word-finds puzzle book
9. Batteries for his games
10. AND a NFL Trivial Pursuit football game, where
you guess players, stats and the
like.
All in all, very thoughtful gifts that this angel of Joe's knew that he wanted. He is so lucky to have caring case workers that like him so much.
Got to run the phones are ringing here at work. Dave
All in all, very thoughtful gifts that this angel of Joe's knew that he wanted. He is so lucky to have caring case workers that like him so much.
Got to run the phones are ringing here at work. Dave
Posted at 11:55 AM
Thu - October 19, 2006
Still paranoid Joe is!
Well,
Joe had his operation the other day, something called a
Arteriovenous Fistula
procedure to his artery and vein. Don't have
the brochure in front of me of what it is actually called, but pretty sure that
was it. Other than some soreness, Joe says he's doing alright. Of course he
suffers from what he calls his fainting spells still, where he becomes paranoid
and anxious feeling.
Around some of the people there I can understand why he does.
To see Joes operation/procedure go to:
http://www.bidmc.harvard.edu/display.asp?leaf_id=5168
Take care all :Dave
Around some of the people there I can understand why he does.
To see Joes operation/procedure go to:
http://www.bidmc.harvard.edu/display.asp?leaf_id=5168
Take care all :Dave
Posted at 02:18 PM
Sun - October 8, 2006
Joe's latest status
Well,
Joe is doing a lot better last Saturdays visit. Hardly talked about the crazies
and his daily dilemma at all. A first in a long time. I usually go in with some
trepidation about having to listen to it all again, but Joe was pleasantly
mellow that day. He has gone five days without fainting so think that has him in
a better mood. It's bad enough having to live with the sick people there,
day-in-and-day-out like Joe does, but then to have to suffer his fainting spells
on top of all that would tend to make anyone less than jovial.
Joe handed me a batch of new photos, and I told him I would add them to the blog here. His dialysis has been going fairly smoothly. Next week he goes in for surgery to place a port into his arm (wrist area) where according to the medical people is less likely to have infections. Currently his port is in his chest. It only takes about a hour for the surgery, and of course no food beforehand. Joe's not to happy about it, but putting on a good face about it. I think with all considering Joe's dealing a lot better than most of us would. Have a good day. :Dave
Joe handed me a batch of new photos, and I told him I would add them to the blog here. His dialysis has been going fairly smoothly. Next week he goes in for surgery to place a port into his arm (wrist area) where according to the medical people is less likely to have infections. Currently his port is in his chest. It only takes about a hour for the surgery, and of course no food beforehand. Joe's not to happy about it, but putting on a good face about it. I think with all considering Joe's dealing a lot better than most of us would. Have a good day. :Dave
Posted at 04:12 PM Read More
Tue - August 22, 2006
Joe’s finally -- doing Dialysis
Joe
finally succumbed to his kidney failure problems last Wed the 16th 2006. You may
recall he has been operating on only 10% function of his kidneys and Dr.'s were
amazed he even had lasted this long. Joe had been extremely reticent to have the
operation they would need to do because of all the tubes protruding from his
body and so hesitated as long as he was able. Well, his body was unable to wait
any longer.
He had been having bad headaches regularly for about two weeks and basically just lacking in the strength even to read his bible as he put it. He took his meds one evening and promptly heaved them up. Then the next morning he could not keep his breakfast down, so the nurses decided to get him to the hospital immediately.
I was finally contacted by the hospital Thursday AM with a message that Joe wanted to let me know he was in the hospital and for me to visit him there. After work at 3 p.m. I left to see him. He already had the surgery done to place the stunt in his chest, and was a bloody mess. They had done 2 hours Dialysis the first day Wednesday, and then another 2-1/2 the following day as well as given him some blood, as he was extremely anemic.
I had been trying (unsuccessfully) to get Joe to do the Dialysis for some time and had basically told him to do it two days before this happened. Dixie the caring neighbor lady and Good Samaritan also had pleaded with Joe to begin the process. She visits Joe on Wednesdays and plays scrabble and prays with him. Joe needs the comfort of normal people’s visits as he puts it to help keep him feeling a little saner. Geez, I wonder if that included me? :D
Joe called me this Tuesday morning to inform me that he did not do as well with the 3rd dialysis on Monday and after some food lost it and felt noxious afterwards. They explained that often happens to some patients and will improve over time. He is scheduled to go in for Dialysis on Mon, Wed, and Fri about 4 hours each time. Joe is excited at least he says of the prospect of getting away from the real crazy’s for a while.
Mr. Terry from the Oregon State Hospital (OSH) stayed with Joe all day the first day and a half then was relieved by Michelle about 11 p.m. the next day, one of Joe’s caseworkers. I left a couple hours after she showed up as I had been there for eight hours already and totally getting burned out. Michelle is one of the rare and very special and dedicated case workers that OSH has, and Joe is very lucky to have her by his side rooting him on and doing what she can to get Joe on outings and watching over him. She goes way beyond the call of duty and I suspect has even crossed the line a time or two to help Joe where the powers-to-be are none to happy.
Well that’s what’s new with Joe, and I am still trying to find some full-time work of any capacity. Hope all is well with you all. Be happy – Dave
PS: I will be unable to write as often in my blog because I cannot afford the Internet connection any longer until I find more permanent work. I have to write it up now and then take my laptop into work and re-connect there to upload to the net.
Joe and his case worker Michelle
Joe's site of Dialysis
He had been having bad headaches regularly for about two weeks and basically just lacking in the strength even to read his bible as he put it. He took his meds one evening and promptly heaved them up. Then the next morning he could not keep his breakfast down, so the nurses decided to get him to the hospital immediately.
I was finally contacted by the hospital Thursday AM with a message that Joe wanted to let me know he was in the hospital and for me to visit him there. After work at 3 p.m. I left to see him. He already had the surgery done to place the stunt in his chest, and was a bloody mess. They had done 2 hours Dialysis the first day Wednesday, and then another 2-1/2 the following day as well as given him some blood, as he was extremely anemic.
I had been trying (unsuccessfully) to get Joe to do the Dialysis for some time and had basically told him to do it two days before this happened. Dixie the caring neighbor lady and Good Samaritan also had pleaded with Joe to begin the process. She visits Joe on Wednesdays and plays scrabble and prays with him. Joe needs the comfort of normal people’s visits as he puts it to help keep him feeling a little saner. Geez, I wonder if that included me? :D
Joe called me this Tuesday morning to inform me that he did not do as well with the 3rd dialysis on Monday and after some food lost it and felt noxious afterwards. They explained that often happens to some patients and will improve over time. He is scheduled to go in for Dialysis on Mon, Wed, and Fri about 4 hours each time. Joe is excited at least he says of the prospect of getting away from the real crazy’s for a while.
Mr. Terry from the Oregon State Hospital (OSH) stayed with Joe all day the first day and a half then was relieved by Michelle about 11 p.m. the next day, one of Joe’s caseworkers. I left a couple hours after she showed up as I had been there for eight hours already and totally getting burned out. Michelle is one of the rare and very special and dedicated case workers that OSH has, and Joe is very lucky to have her by his side rooting him on and doing what she can to get Joe on outings and watching over him. She goes way beyond the call of duty and I suspect has even crossed the line a time or two to help Joe where the powers-to-be are none to happy.
Well that’s what’s new with Joe, and I am still trying to find some full-time work of any capacity. Hope all is well with you all. Be happy – Dave
PS: I will be unable to write as often in my blog because I cannot afford the Internet connection any longer until I find more permanent work. I have to write it up now and then take my laptop into work and re-connect there to upload to the net.
Joe and his case worker Michelle
Joe's site of Dialysis
Posted at 06:30 PM Read More
Wed - July 5, 2006
Joe finally gets to Mt. Angel
Well,
we finally did get to go on a outing last Thursday to Joe's spot he has been
wanting or dreaming to go on for over 3 years. Mt. Angel Abbey, and I think he
really enjoyed it. Joe's dream is to become a priest. First though we went to a
St. Patrick's church in Independence, then Brigittine Monks Monastery in Amity
where besides praying most the day they make the best chocolate in the world.
Then the sisters of Benedictine close to Mt. Angel
Abbey.
It all was finally approved, mostly because Joe's case workers Michelle and Danny going to bat for him. She told her unit director she'd take Joe on her day off and gave some really good rational why she wanted to. So the director said OK! And all this only took three years to get approved. Geez - Wish Michelle was around a few years ago. She is a very devoted caring case worker as is Danny. If it were not for their efforts Joe would never have made it there. They took him alone (no other patients) and me on their day off. Their day off. Pretty dam special I thought. I told them I would help them out if they ever needed some graphics work.
Next they have a trip to the coast planned and invited me to go. Hopefully I can get off work. I really would love to get away for the day and put all the money woes behind me for a day.
Well, back to Craigslist to look for more work. Hope you are all well :Dave
Mt. Angel Abbey and seminary where Joe thinks he wants to go.
Inside the Abbey Chapel, walk in to see this ... Then turn around to see the pipes.
Joe wanted to see the stations of the cross with Danny and Michele. Part of Mt. Angel
Michele sitting at the lily pad pond.
Danny with his cool green shoes!
Joe sitting in the Priests chairs.
Joe, Michele and Danny at Brigittine Priory of Our Lady of Consolation in Amity, Or -
the Order of the most holy Savior. They make some of the world's best chocolates here.
Chapel at the Brigantine Monastery
Praying Michele or maybe sleeping. The day wore us all out.
It all was finally approved, mostly because Joe's case workers Michelle and Danny going to bat for him. She told her unit director she'd take Joe on her day off and gave some really good rational why she wanted to. So the director said OK! And all this only took three years to get approved. Geez - Wish Michelle was around a few years ago. She is a very devoted caring case worker as is Danny. If it were not for their efforts Joe would never have made it there. They took him alone (no other patients) and me on their day off. Their day off. Pretty dam special I thought. I told them I would help them out if they ever needed some graphics work.
Next they have a trip to the coast planned and invited me to go. Hopefully I can get off work. I really would love to get away for the day and put all the money woes behind me for a day.
Well, back to Craigslist to look for more work. Hope you are all well :Dave
Mt. Angel Abbey and seminary where Joe thinks he wants to go.
Inside the Abbey Chapel, walk in to see this ... Then turn around to see the pipes.
Joe wanted to see the stations of the cross with Danny and Michele. Part of Mt. Angel
Michele sitting at the lily pad pond.
Danny with his cool green shoes!
Joe sitting in the Priests chairs.
Joe, Michele and Danny at Brigittine Priory of Our Lady of Consolation in Amity, Or -
the Order of the most holy Savior. They make some of the world's best chocolates here.
Chapel at the Brigantine Monastery
Praying Michele or maybe sleeping. The day wore us all out.
Posted at 10:01 PM
Sat - June 3, 2006
Latest on Joe
Off
to see brother Joe in a few minutes. He seems to be doing better health-wise
according to Joe. Has been going on many outings as he can fit into his
schedule. His two case workers, Michelle and Danny have been good to him, taking
Joe alone to parks and outings like movies and mall shopping and the like. Hope
Joe doesn't do anything to screw it up. Below are more shots of a recent outing
to the Silver Creek Falls State park. He's been there before, but enjoys it a
lot just to get away for the
day.
Well just got back from visiting with Joe. He was fine, yammered on about his same stories of course ... boredom, belly of the whale, wanting to be a priest and etc, etc. Beat me at cribbage, but nothing new there. Noticed they have a few new people, one very young and pretty 20 something girl. Have to wonder!? Poor thang. Tired, so time for a nap.
Well just got back from visiting with Joe. He was fine, yammered on about his same stories of course ... boredom, belly of the whale, wanting to be a priest and etc, etc. Beat me at cribbage, but nothing new there. Noticed they have a few new people, one very young and pretty 20 something girl. Have to wonder!? Poor thang. Tired, so time for a nap.
Posted at 01:28 PM
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Published On: Feb 15, 2008 02:20 PM
Published On: Feb 15, 2008 02:20 PM