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Joni's Journey by her daughter (lionesa)


December 3, 2008


Orange, California


3-12-1934


Brain Cancer


GBM


Sept 1, 2008


Stage 4


05


Positive


Positive


Adriamycin (chemical name: doxorubicin)


To watch people you love slowly deteriorate


Communication and family can't be replaced with a nurse


Headaches, suddenly forgetting where they are, simple math calculations are hard, dragging of the left foot and inability to turn to the left


Biopsy done and shes never been the same.

Not a candidate for recession


every 5 days then off for two days for a period of 3 weeks. Loss of hair and VERY tired afterwards


Tremador – First set – daily dose for 3 weeks Not able to continue to the next set. Nausea, weakness, loss of appetite, Sleeping constantly




lionesa's Cancer Blog

Joni's Memorial
(3/12/1934 - 12/19/2008)


Rest in Peace
by Jill

May God comfort you
by kellye

Bless you, Joni, and your family.
by Curlygirl

I love you Mommy
by Joni's Journey by her daughter

Peace and love to your family
by Lisa

by Karen

I understand the loss. I feel it even today
by Louise

Place Candle

December 26, 2008

Mom's MemorialViews: 205

I just wanted to give a very warm and heartfelt thank you to all of you here. You have been by sounding board through some very heavystuff. Your like this family that I’ve felt a bond with, though I’ve never met any of you. Comfort, understanding and an ear. Merry Christmas to you guys!

So, for the update that I promised, here goes. My mom’s memorial was on the 23rd and it was awesome. We had a trio of Hawaiian music playing. The front of the church was done with pictures of her, Hawaiian flowers, a surfboard, and all kinds of beachy things (shells, pelican statues, a little row boat). Everyone wore Hawaiian clothing and all of her friends stood up and said a little something
about her. We all wished my mom..Aloha

As I said before, my Mom had every kind of Christmas Spode item you could think of (in a storage unit, never opened), and so, on Christmas eve dinner, I got all of it out, and we used it, for the first time, for the family dinner. She was watching and smiling, I felt her. I missed her so much.

The little leper Lou didn’t show up. He knew if he did there would be people getting in line to kick his scrawny little butt. His daughters did and we asked them to leave.

Anyway….Merry Christmas to all of you awesome people.

I am so sorry for your loss. I feel so out of it. Just read the news now. I have set up a candle lighting for your mother. You can find it here: Light a candle for Joni

I’m glad you found us and reached out for support. It sounds like your mom’s memorial & Christmas were just right for what you needed. I’m so glad. Blessings to you and your family on the new year!

Peace,
Kathy

It is always encouraging to hear that this blog makes a positive difference for those who stop by.

The service for mom sounds amazing! What a fitting send off.

I will pray for your and yours in this time of trial.

Be blessed
Mac

The memorial sounds like it was wonderful. It is so hard when they leave us. I hope you and yours had a Merry Christmas!

... thinking of you during this difficult time …

Daria

Dear Joni; Thank you for your update and sharing of the memorial service for your Mom. Every year I dream of my Mom, especially around Xmas time. The love never leaves your soul, but you will find in time the pain will be less. I pray for time to be your healer.
Weezie



December 19, 2008

A Very Sad DayViews: 319

Today, at 7:30 am, I received the call that my mom had passed away. I feel like I’ve been in a daze all day. Sometimes the tears just come…filled with an awful sadness. I miss my mom already. I’ve done all the calls and now, I need to make plans for the next few days. I wish my mom had been able to make it to Christmas but, yesterday when I went to see her, her eyes told me what she herself could not. She was in pain. I’m glad that now, shes up in heaven and taking care of all the animals. And…the good thing up in heaven is…they don’t have Weight Watchers. My mom was a Foodie! I just wish I could get that last visual of her out of my mind.

This is a really hard time to lose someone. I will pray for your peace and healing and that your memories will shift from the last image to the life that is reflected in th photos of you two.

Be blessed
Mac

Dear Lionesa,

I am so sorry for your loss, compounded by its proximity to Christmas. It is so difficult to lose one’s beloved parent.

You have so many beautiful pictures of your Mom posted here. Pull ‘em all out and go through them in the next few days. I’ve found that really helps to make the memories you want in your mind replace the ones you don’t. If you can, tell someone the stories behind at least some of the pictures (or write them down) to bring those good memories alive for you.

Let yourself cry as much as you need to. It’s good for you.

I’ll have you and your family in my prayers. Remember to take care of yourself.

Peace,
Kathy

Lionesa,

I am very sorry for your loss. It is especially hard to experience the loss of someone you love so much during this time of the year. Please remember the good and happy time you share with your mom (I love the pictures of you and your mom). My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Yuyu

Dear Lionesa; I just popped in to find your sad news. Oh how awful it is. You sound quite mature and together about your wish for her, and that always helps if you can look at the very positive parts of this sad event. I often wonder why there is so much to do when a parent or sibling passes away. It is in the doing of things, to keep busy, to talk to friends, family, friends of the family, that take up room, so the grieving is a process that doesn’t just happen one day but many days – and then weeks or months. Somehow, it is even more of a shock, having it during a festive time of year, Xmas. There is no good time for one to leave their loved ones behind. I hope you have all the support and kindess coming your way. You will need it and embrace the love that comes your way. Your mom is no longer in pain and for that one small blessing, God has answered your Mom’s prayer. It was her time to leave and be a new caretaker of the animals and her lost loved ones too. I pray for you at this time and wish that over time you will have abundant beautiful memories of a wonderful Mom.
Weezie

I’m sorry for your loss.

XOXO

I am sorry about your mom. I lost my boyfriend this past September to cancer as well. He was diagnosed on April and given 12-18 months…but lived only 5 months. I can relate to your entry about sitting in the hospital holding your moms hands…her not resembling herself…and your concern about how long her body could survive after not eating for so long. May God give you peace in the fact that she is no longer in pain and is in heaven pigging out and taking care of her animals. She sounds like she was a wonderful woman.
Time does help…especially about the last image you had of your Mom. Every once in a while I will flash on the image of Wes in the hospital the day he told me he was dying…but mainly those images have been replaced with the image of who he was…the person I fell in love with…the person “before” the diagnosis of cancer…and I know that the good memories of your mother…and your strength will pull you through your time of sadness.
Celeni



December 18, 2008

UpdateViews: 336

Just an update for everyone. My mom has gone for 5 days without food or water and I’m not sure how she is hanging on. This is incredible…though difficult. This morning I went in a little early to see her, hoping that maybe in the mornings she might be a little more with it. I had made some stew the night before and I thought perhaps a little taste of the juice might be good for her. Unfortunately, she can’t swallow anymore and I’m afraid to give her more than just a taste. I’m not sure if she can see me anymore. Her eyes are glazed over and slightly rolled up. I feel so helpless right now. It seems like all I can do is sit and hold her hand. Isn’t it weird the thoughts that go through your mind as your sitting there though. The person I see in the bed doesn’t even resemble my mom anymore and yet, I still see a flicker of her in her eyes.

Joni, I will be thinking of you and your mom – I’m so so sorry that cancer makes us go through this agony with the people we love so much. Somehow I believe she knows you are there and that she feels your comfort.

Heidi

Joni, this must be very scary and difficult to deal with. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your mother.

Daria

Dear Joni; I just can’t believe your Mom’s health has demised so quickly. I’m feeling so sad for you as you go through these emotions, knowing it is moment by moment you watch your Mom’s last breaths. It is just too unfair that children of parents, have to see this happen. I am positive that you being there will help her know she is not alone, that her journey has her child taking her to the doors.
My prayers to you Joni, at such a sad but glorious celebration of Xmas. May god keep you tight in his arms.
Weezie



Lionesa's Stats

Posts: 7
Photos: 4
Events: 0
My Supporters: 8
I Support: 8
Comments: 32
Views: 2298



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