tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-105333502024-03-12T20:47:28.512-07:00Adrienne's UpdatesAdrienne was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease in 1996 at age 9. She had multiple relapses, two bone marrow transplants, and a range of chemos and radiation therapies, and passed away on October 1, 2009. We are heartbroken.Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.comBlogger438125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-63960976777643347562014-10-08T15:43:00.003-07:002014-10-08T15:44:32.218-07:00Five years, OMGAdrienne has been gone for 5 years now, and while we miss her as much as ever, life does go on. It scares me that she's so far away, that I'm forgetting some of the little things. I went through family pictures not long ago and enjoyed them immensely, laughing and crying at the same time. I also have old videos but no machine to play them on (I know I need to get them moved to CD). I'd give Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-15178304086827331742013-10-01T12:19:00.001-07:002013-10-01T12:19:44.018-07:004 YearsI guess it's been a year since I updated. Adrienne left us 4 years ago today and I hope she's pain free and happy. I can't wait until we're united again but I know how fortunate I was to have my daughter and best friend for 22 years.
Several people I know are suffering now, Bekah, Andrew, Lucho, and Lisa (her son died a few days ago). My prayers are with all of you and all the people who still Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-74006956861046509282012-10-08T14:21:00.002-07:002012-10-08T14:21:15.377-07:003 YearsIt scares me so much that it's been 3 years since Adrienne left us. Sometimes it seems like she was just here, sometimes it seems like she was just a dream. I forwarded the youtube video of Adrienne (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIWdsePzkOw) to someone that I met last year, and she remarked that it was odd to put someone's whole life into 4 minutes. We try so hard to keep her memory alive, for Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-60913809376894883282012-06-07T09:36:00.003-07:002012-06-07T09:36:32.803-07:00Long timeIt's been such a long time since I posted. I'm just not sure what to say or feel. I definitely get through the days better and can talk about Adrienne and our experience without crying uncontrollably. Mostly, I just focus on work and school and home.
We did quite a bit of work on the house this year, but thankfully, that's done. I've left Adrienne's room as is with a bit of touching up and Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-8600967943355312092011-11-22T07:58:00.000-08:002011-11-22T08:06:23.875-08:00ThanksgivingThanksgiving was one of our favorite holidays. Adrienne always said she'd learn to cook and help. She never did but she told me what she wanted to eat and I cooked it, and I loved it. The holiday just isn't the same any more. Curt and I had planned to go to southern California to see Daniel but things didn't work out (long story, his, not ours) so we're staying home this year. We'll go out for Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-60298320691580703912011-10-01T08:40:00.000-07:002011-10-01T08:43:17.137-07:002 years todayDearest Adrienne, It's been two years since you took your last breath. It was the worst day of my life and I've had many bad days since, but I'm so proud and honored to have had you in my life for 22 years. I hope that you are happy, peaceful, and pain free. I'll always love you, more than even I can imagine. Love, MomAdriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-12636696068056047352011-06-06T08:23:00.000-07:002011-06-06T08:51:20.533-07:00Back HomeCurt and I returned from our trip last week. It was wonderful (of course) but the jet lag really knocked us out. We returned to find a package with a book that Adrienne worked on at CMC, and it was dedicated to her. I knew it was coming but I was happy to receive it and to hear from her prof. CMC also created a plaque in her honor and placed it in the reading room that she frequented there. She Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-14191258558615430912011-05-02T08:23:00.000-07:002011-05-02T08:29:46.582-07:00Healing and coping, they really do mean different things.People ask me how I'm doing, if things are better, and I realized that I'm coping better but healing is a whole other story.Healing and coping, they really do mean different things.We usually heal from a physical wound, but when we do, there is usually a scar that we have for all of our lives. Coping is a mechanism that our brains use to overcome emotional pain, a hurt that wounds our hearts. We Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-72304075488137498712011-03-27T13:49:00.000-07:002011-03-27T17:29:57.256-07:00Adrienne Would be ProudI was accepted in the Educational Psychology masters program at UNLV last week. I guess they decided to ignore my GRE quantitative score, which was really low. I realized that I could only raise my score by taking an algebra/geometry class so I'm happy I don't have to do that. I can apply to the PhD program next year and work on both degrees at the same time. My hope is to work on a master's Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-34468976452735101952011-02-28T08:12:00.000-08:002011-02-28T08:14:37.812-08:00A friend sent this to me yesterday. It captures so much."If you know someone who has lost a child, and you're afraid to mention them because you think you might make them sad by reminding them that they died--you're not reminding them. They didn't forget they died. What you're reminding them of is that you remembered that they lived, and that, is a great gift." ~Elizabeth EdwardsThank you, Annie.Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-36998221098671578042011-02-09T08:15:00.000-08:002011-02-09T08:21:36.118-08:00For KirstenOur friend Kirsten died earlier this week. I like to think that she and Adrienne are together, comforting each other, smiling down on us now. When Adrienne died, Kirsten posted this beautiful poem. A Parable of Immortalityby Henry Van DykeI am standing upon the seashore.A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-82601826679207660232010-12-15T17:14:00.000-08:002010-12-15T17:28:45.079-08:00Merry Mazel TovI heard that on TV and thought it was appropriate, especially for this Jewish family with one goy (that would be Curt). We fly to Florida tomorrow and then we're off for a 10 day Western Carribean cruise and a few extra days in Fort Lauderdale. I can't tell you how much I need this rest. Daniel will be spending the holidays with his girlfriend and her family. We already booked our timeshare in Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-9282125749586011892010-10-24T17:41:00.000-07:002010-10-27T12:25:33.960-07:00From Me - At Adrienne's UnveilingThank you everyone for coming today to honor and remember Adrienne. As most of you know, Adrienne and I were more than just mother and daughter. We were best friends. Though it’s been a year since she died, the hole I feel is just as deep and raw as it was a year ago. Now Adrienne would be the first to tell me how silly I am, but I can’t help how I feel. I know she touched many people by how she Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-19724036277299818152010-10-17T14:54:00.000-07:002010-10-17T15:01:25.577-07:00Unveiling - October 24, 2 pmAdrienne's unveiling is scheduled for next Sunday, October 24, at 2 pm. I'm scared to death to see her name on the headstone but I know we need to do this, we need to honor her and her life. Still, I'm expecting it to be tough. The ceremony will be held graveside and attendees are welcomed back to my sister, Diana's house afterwards.The one-year anniversary of Adrienne's death was about as bad asAdriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-73973119147277302002010-10-11T20:48:00.000-07:002010-10-11T20:49:15.995-07:00From Adrienne's DadTo everybody who knew Adrienne:It is with profound sadness that we find ourselves on October 1st 2010. On this day a year ago we lost our daughter to cancer. It was heartbreaking for all who knew her, because we witnessed such a long and valiant fight, right to the very end. Adrienne tried harder to live than just about anybody I have ever known. She lived her life to the maximum, made plans and Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-54954737264969177852010-08-28T08:57:00.000-07:002010-08-28T08:59:27.296-07:00New Unveiling Date - October 24Just a quick note to let you know that I'm changing the unveiling date to accommodae my school schedule. I know Adrienne would understand. It'll be on Sunday, October 24. I'll post details as soon as I get confirmation from the rabbi.Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-41433315000003008452010-08-15T14:43:00.001-07:002010-08-15T14:53:34.876-07:00BirthdaysI'm not sure who's still reading. I haven't felt like posting much. Everytime I think about it and log in, I can't figure out what to write. Adrienne's birthday is coming up this week and I'm not sure how I'll deal with it. Daniel's on his way here right now and his birthday is the day after Adrienne's. It used to be such a happy time. They had so many wonderful birthdays over the years.I Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-55199808122542005852010-07-01T09:28:00.000-07:002010-07-01T16:50:11.506-07:001997"1997 was the year I beat cancer."This was the first line of an essay Adrienne wrote in 5th grade, a few months after finishing her first round of treatment. We all thought it was true and were working hard at getting back to normal. I so wish it were true. I found the essay while seaching for my college diploma and cried the rest of the day - no diploma but I did receive my transcript and have Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-40382934411401859992010-06-02T15:17:00.000-07:002010-06-02T15:35:13.763-07:00What's Next?I definitely need something new and different to take my attention. Work has been great but I need a new challenge so I've decided to go back to school. I'll be taking a summer class just after the 4th of July to see how it feels and then will work toward applying for the Fall 2011 term. First, I need to take the dreaded GRE, dreaded because I don't remember the math. I looked it over and I Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-16197025890653725172010-05-16T21:09:00.000-07:002010-05-16T21:56:45.014-07:00TimeI think most of us think that time heals all ills. I used to think that but not any more. If anything, I think it gets worse and worse. As more time passes, I realize how final this is, that Adrienne isn't coming back. The more time passes, the further away she gets. I worry that I'll forget about things, that she'll be further from my life. Now we have to order the headstone. I found out that Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-83982376195733293922010-04-26T08:00:00.000-07:002010-04-26T08:13:25.039-07:00Dark DaysTo say that things have been rough lately is putting it mildly. If I didn't have work and dogs that need to go out, I'd probably stay in bed all day. I'm sorry for not returning emails and phone calls. I get them and really appreciate the thoughts. Please be patient with me as I try to figure this out. Last week, I decided to send a note of complaint to NVCI about "a-hole" doctor. You can read Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-13145644355490776642010-04-13T10:23:00.000-07:002010-04-13T10:27:58.989-07:00Unveiling Date - October 17, 2010Adrienne's unveiling will be on October 17, 2010 at 2:30 in the afternoon. This is a short graveside service that includes reading of several psalms (1, 23, 24, 103), Mourners Kaddish, and the prayer "El Malei Rachamim. At the end of the ceremony, a cloth or shroud covering that has been placed on the headstone is removed. We'll probably do some sort of reception afterwards. I hope you can save Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-25056799075010426092010-04-12T08:12:00.001-07:002010-04-13T07:46:54.158-07:00SisterhoodI haven't felt much like writing lately but wanted to post a couple of URLs for you to look at. This blog post (http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2010/04/07/the-sisterhood/) was written by another mom that lost her son to Hodgkin's around the same time that Adrienne died. It says a lot of things better than I could. As she says:We do not walk our path by choice the journey has been cruelly thrust Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-66871399680665935322010-03-23T13:42:00.000-07:002010-03-23T13:56:39.269-07:00Dancing with the StarsMost days, I do okay. I work, I take care of the house, I walk the dogs, I cook, the usual day to day things. But here and there, something just takes my breath away. This week, it's "Dancing with the Stars." The new season started last fall while Adrienne was in the hospital. I left the TV on much of the time, mostly for background noise. When Adrienne was awake, she held the remote but after Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10533350.post-78716895033537489042010-03-11T15:11:00.000-08:002010-03-11T15:25:36.499-08:00Getting ByLast night was my Compassionate Friends meeting. Sadly, there were a lot of people there, some I knew, some were new. There was a young couple whose 9 year old son died 3 weeks ago from an asthma attack. Raw is the word they use. Dad did most of the talking. Mom couldn't say a word. I still feel raw at these meetings, even though I think I'm getting through the days better. I had a tough time Adriennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04667508444604092506noreply@blogger.com6