Linda made the decision today to discontinue treatment....the fight was one she was losing and the Doctor said the counts were going against her.....the antibiotics were not going to beat the pneumonia but slow it down...
Linda had a horrible night....struggling to breathe..and was wanting to be done with it.....
She is clear and at peace with her decision....
What now?
All treatment will cease ..no more antibiotics.....
Linda is getting a drip flow of morphine continuously now for comfort.....comfort is the key....
Hospice will be notified and involved....if this continues for a couple of days, Linda might be sent home...although she has made it clear that going home is not important...she just wants to be at peace.....
Visitors today will find a much different day than yesterday...the Doctor said Linda would not see another day like yesterday...each moment from now on will be different. We are limiting visitors to 2 or 3 at a time...much quieter with comforting words to Linda..not needing a response...visitors do not have to worry about a cold or..or..it doesn't matter now..
The Doctor was wonderful...involving Linda..listening to her needs...and as sad as it is, Linda made the right choice..to be at peace....
Friday, January 14, 2011
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
32 comments:
although so very difficult a decision to make, if you both are at peace with it, you have made the right choice. this is your decision, not for anyone else to make. you have both fought so hard, did whatever was necessary and now deserve peace. Prayers will still be forthcoming.
Jim & Stephanie (the fishy people)
I know how difficult this is for you, Dave, so I hope you know that we are thinking of you and Linda. We went through all this with Jim's mom years ago so we know what you're both going through.
Linda, it has been a pleasure and an honor to know you. We are so fortunate to have met you and Dave at the races years ago, and will always treasure all the good times we had.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you through this difficult time. Dave - please let us know if there is anything we can do for any of you.
Love and hugs,
Jim and Swee
Linda, thank you for your friendship and all that you taught us both through racing and in life.
May Christ's peace be with you and Dave both. We will meet again.
Love,
shelly & jason paul
May Gods love be with you all. Linda has taught so many by her amazing example, you both are simply amazing. My love, LeeAnn
Dave, you always know the right thing to say. Whether you know it or not, you do. It is what will sustain you. It is what sustains Linda now.
"as sad as it is, Linda made the right choice..to be at peace.... "
From the King James Version: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Peace and love to you both. We are here with you, whether near or far, loving you, caring for you, embracing you on your journey.
Marjorie and Larry
Dave and Linda,
You don't really know me although I have met you both briefly through Champ Car Fanatics. I have been thinking about writing you but thought you might think it odd to hear from a stranger but I wanted to take this time time let you know how much Linda has touched my life. I went to my first ever Champ Car race with a friend in Portland in 2006 and you and Linda were the hosts of the CCF dinner. I remember thinking what an amazing couple you were and admired your zest for life and what a great couple you were. Linda walked up to me and introduced herself and it was as though she had always known me and I thought to myself what a neat lady. I then met Dave again brielfy at the "motorhome" at Edmonton Indy the following year and you had just found out about Linda's cancer. I then followed the blog through the CCF website and have done ever since. I must tell you that from day one I so admired Linda's strength and grace through this journey. Never more so than last year when I too was diagnosed with cancer. I was diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer with lymphovascular invasion which necessiated going to the Cancer Center in vancouver B.C., 8 hours from my home town and my 7 year old son for a radical hysterectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiation. So many times I wanted to contact Linda to find out where she got her strength from. On my worst days I would read the blog and see how amazing Linda was always doing depsite her horrible diagnosis and some real bumps in the road but she always rallied with such grace. I would think if Linda can do this so can I. I was so angry at times about my situation but then I would think of Linda and her amazing grace and dignity that she has shown all along and I would be so ashamed of myself. Happily I am at this point cancer free and hope to stay that way. I just wanted you to know that you and your family touched my life profoundly even though you didn't know it. I think your amazing love story and what an amazingly devoted couple you are has touched me more than anything. You two were truly blessed in this life to have each other. Please tell Linda that I want to thank her for being such an amazing role model for me when I was in my darkest moments. She will forever be in my thoughts and my prayers and I wish her peace and love.
Sincerely,
Darilyn Jones
Linda & Dave
You courage and candor through this entire journey has been an eye-opening education and an unprecedented privilege for all of us traveling with you.
Much peace to you both of you as you start your new journeys on different paths. Together always, yet separated temporarily.
How blessed you are to have this time to say goodbye and be in such an honest place.
Dave, you won't feel it now, but trust me, to be there at the moment of transition is truly a life changing & peaceful experience. You will hold it in your heart forever moving forward.
I feel honoured to have known you both in the good times & the bad times and to have witnessed this process. May we all learn from your experience and be even half as brave when faced with it ourselves.
Much love to you Linda. Please know how you have touched so many lives.
Much love to you Dave. Please know that you are never alone.
Meesh...
Love you Linda and Dave- So glad you are at peace! Linda you are so amazing and love you so much!!
To Dave and Linda,
Garry and I send our blessings and comfort. I am currently at home recovering from a malignant tumor taken from my mouth. What a living hell it can be. I admire your fight Linda and hope peace is your reward. Words seem inadequate at this point. Enjoy one another in the time you have.
Sarah Rowley and Garry Neil
What can one say? I was given two sister-in-laws and both the best one could want. Both endured difficult journeys and reminds one to not complain about that cold, that hurt, the weather, and such, but realize that there are others that have climbed bigger mountains. I was going through the old pictures last night Linda and found some of the greatest memories. You with Mandy, with Laura on the boat out of Homer, you catching both of the king salmon, one in Homer & the other at Lake Creek (huge smiles). You decorating our new home on Adanak, you camping at the Kenai property, and so many other memories. One of the fondest memories for me was when we met at Disney Land and Knott’s Berry Farm. I am not sure who was the biggest kid, Ralph, Dave, or you. Eleven times on Space Mountain. Lots of great memories that can be enjoyed forever and they will be.
I hope you guys can tell from the responses just how successfully you have filled your time in this world.
This amount of Love and Respect is very seldom seen. God Bless You.
Even though I wish there was something I could do, you guys are obviously well taken care of.
John and Kay Garcia here. We are so thinking of you and your family. The word peace was used a lot in the last blog. It is a way we will remember Linda. Peace is a powerful word and Linda is a peaceful women! Our love to you all.
Linda, you are loved. You are love. And it takes as much strength to let go as is does to fight.
Godspeed. Soon you WILL be the golden glow of healing Love and Peace and Energy that I have you and yours wrapped in.
Let's meet up on the Other Side, eh? :-D
love,
Susie
Peace my heart...
Peace, my heart, let the time for the parting be sweet.
Let it not be a death but completeness.
Let love melt into memory and pain into songs.
Let the flight through the sky end in the folding of the wings over the nest.
Let the last touch of your hands be gentle like the flower of the night.
Stand still, O Beautiful End, for a moment, and say your last words in silence.
I bow to you and hold up my lamp to light you on your way.
~Rabindranath Tagore
My prayers are with each of you. I am glad Linda is at peace and so are you. What a journey you have been on for many years now. What a remarkable women we have all known. May you be at peace today. Dave you need to take care to. Love to each of you.
Kathy B
When you and I met on the plane Linda you told me Egypt was on your bucket list...well, when you are sitting high on a cloud you will have the best view of all! May we meet again on the other side...every March 13 I will say Happy Birthday Linda, as we share the same birth date. May you be at peace. Dave you will be in my prayers. Thank You again for crossing paths with me on that plane ride to Missouri, I was meant to sit next to Linda and Dave for a reason, you have touched my life. God Bless Kay
Linda and Dave. You both have bravely met the challenges of Linda's illness. I am praying for her peace and that the light will lead her to a paradise of wellness and the open arms those waiting to embrace her and love her. I can see her smile and a beautiful reunion with those who she has entered that paradise before her. Peace to Dave for their wonderful journey together. Sincerely, Betty Daggett
My prayers are with both of you. I am not very comfortable in situations like this, but need to tell you that, although I haven't posted here regularly, I have followed your posts from day 1. Having seen what the ravages of cancer have done to people I know, it is the family and friends that suffer as well. Linda, I am honored to have gotten to know you. You and Dave made me feel so comfortable around the race track and showed me that the drivers are regular people, too. You have been a beacon of strength in the never ending battle with a disease that should be conquered by now. You have helped me deal with my Dad's (jim) battle with colon cancer and liver cancer. I am eternally grateful for having been touched by the love you have for each other and the unwavering devotion you have shown.
I wish you no more pain, Linda, and I wish you no more having to endure Linda's pain as well, Dave.
Mike
Tell her we love her and will miss her. Darrell and Shar
I wish you both comfort and peace.
trish
Haven't spoken to you two in quite a while. I don't even know where to begin to express my deep feelings of regret. I think you two are the most together pair I've met in all my days and have brought pleasure, hospitality and enjoyment to all you've touched, if even briefly. The trials of the last few years come to many but, shouldn't to you. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. Courage ...
Brian Wilson
Linda you are truly amazing. May peace be with in your final journey. Thank you, for being you. Our lives are truly richer for knowing you. Thoughts and prayers are with both you and Dave.
Dan & Lauree Quinlan
Thank you both for taking us along
with you on this journey. When we met you all those years ago in Long Beach little did we know what a wonderful ride it would be. Linda, you will be my sis forever, and Jim and I are proud to have shared our Mom with you. She thought the world of you. You have both showed us all how to live life to fullest. May you be at peace now Linda. Dave you are the best. We send you all our love.
Nancy, Jim, Joe and Gene
Dave & Linda your love for one another is a beautiful thing and an inspiration to us all. There is a peace to be cherished at this time. The good Lord will be with you both.
With our love and prayers.
Barb & Bob Dahlman
Linda's life has been a blessing to many others. Dave, you continue to be a blessing to her and to others also.
That's the real meaning of life well-lived.
"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever." - Isaiah 32:17 (KJV)
Linda and Dave, we are blessed to have had the opportunity to meet you and to have you add that special spark to our lives that you did eventhough we only knew you for a short time. Linda, may peace be with you and God's speed and you will both be in our hearts and prayers.
Cam and Chan
Linda & Dave:
You are both gifts to each other & a never ending gift to the rest of us. Thank you for your inspiration. There are many people who read and don't post, however you are dear to us all.
Much Love,
Tim, Sue, Nick & Brooklyn
Linda,
You have shown the way with your grace, courage and strength. Keep close your loved ones. Our prayers are with you.
Liz and Jack
Linda & Dave,
Our prayers are with you. Please read 1 John in the Bible. There is comfort in knowing there is everlasting life in Jesus Christ.
We love you guys.
ron & cathy
Go in Peace Linda. Thank you for all the memories. You've blessed my life! Sending love to both you and Dave and to your sweet family.
Much love,
Kathy I.
thanks for everything. your dedication...your work....your love. open wheel owes you a debt it will not be able to pay. please rest in peace and for those left on this planet....take comfort in knowing she is at peace with her lord.
We wish Linda well on her journey into everlasting peace. She was courageous beyond the limits of most of us, and she maintained a positive attitude toward accepting the reality of her circumstances. For most of the time since mid-2007 that was exploring options for treatment and going on with life. Recently that became accepting her mortality and being at peace with it. Godspeed Linda.
Dave & Virginia
Post a Comment