Final Arrangements

For anyone interested of attending the services for Stan, we will have one in Maryland and in Utah.
Monday, Oct. 11
10 AM-Viewing 11 AM-Funeral
LDS Stake Center
10000 Stoneybrook Drive
Kensington, MD 20895

Saturday, Oct. 16
9 AM-Viewing 10 AM-Funeral
Allen-Hall Mortuary
34 East Center Street
Logan, UT 84321

A New Beginning

Stan went home peacefully to his Heavely Father this morning. Thanks for all of your support, love and prayers.

New Normal

One day when we were at the doctors we were told that as we moved through this process we would hit bumps and then they would be the new normal. I think back to just a month ago and how worried I would be is Stan was in this shape, but he has moved through the stages gracefully and without complaint. After about two days and some anti-nausea medicine, Stan is feeling better. He is able to drink one Carnation Breakfast a day. He is pretty weak so he spends his day in the chair or the bed.

Hospice Care

Stan's Hospice nurse came yesterday and the social worker came today. They are very helpful and really have Stan's best interest at heart. Stan started having waves of nausea yesterday. This has made if very difficult for him to want to eat or drink anything. Yesterday he was able to keep down a carnation breakfast he ate, just before he went to bed. It is after lunch today and Stan has only been able to drink about a half a glass of Gatorade. I hope this will pass soon so that he can take in more food. The social worker said she would have his nurse check on some anti-nausea medicine. Stan enjoys the book he is reading, "Retreat from Gettysburg" and the visits from our church friends.

Anniversary

Thirty-five years ago today, Stan and I started our eternal journey together as husband and wife. He has, and is continuing to bless and teach.
He has not been able to attend church for the past 3 weeks, so the young men brought him the Sacrament today. He has only been able to eat a few bites of solids in the past week so he is quite weak, but his spirits are high.
Tom was able to spend a few hours with us this morning, on his drive home from Georgia. He put 8 1/2" by 11" pictures of Stan with each one of his grandchildren, on the wall across from Stan's chair. Stan has enjoyed just sitting there looking at the pictures. His family is so important to him. Thank you so much Tom and Erin for getting the pictures and framing them.

Busy Times

Tuesday Stan and I went down to his office for a couple of hours. I took his pictures off his walls and collected some of his personal items. Wednesday the hospice Chaplin came and we had a wonderful visit. He talked with us about what we believed about dying and the afterlife. He was pleased that we both felt the same about what would happen. He told Stan that he would continue to teach those around right to the end. He let me know that Stan's desire to eat would continue to decline until he would stop eating and I was not to feel guilty, and that Stan would stop talking but that we were not to stop talking to him. It was hard to hear but there was also a peace. I did need some time after Stan took a nap to just wrap in the 'magic quilt' and feel loved. Today I took Stan to his HR office to sign his retirement papers. They will take effect on September 30.

Time Together

I start my long term leave today. I was lucky to get some great substitute teachers for my classroom so that I can relax and just concentrate on being at home. Stan continues to decline. He hasn't felt well enough to attend church for the last two weeks. He hasn't left the house for about a week and a half, when his boss had to drive him home because he had a dizzy spell at work. As his body slowly gives up on him his mind still plans for the days when he will feel a little better. He is still hoping to get to work to put in about 3 hours, to put the finishing touches on his last project. We had some wonderful visits from church friends last night and he lit up at the package of pictures of his grandchildren from Tom and Erin.
Thank you for being there to share this journey with us. We love you and thank you for your support.