Monday, January 10, 2011

Bowing Out

JP again here:
A few weeks ago, we were all hoping against hope that Anne would be given a chance by fate to pull through. She was encouraged by us, and had maintained a positive attitude throughout the ordeal, as you all know from reading these chronicles.

Around then, one day when I bid her good night and added “get better, love”, she answered: “I’m not going to get better. This is something we just have to deal with, and it’s no use kidding ourselves”. She also expressed her wish that, when the time came, she did not wish to be kept alive by artificial and invasive means, and we all supported her in this.

Even so, our take was to hope for a period of relative comfort and stability that might last for some time. The latest change, last week, from multiple daily painkiller (and other) pills to a hydromorphone pump, was expected to provide some effective relief from increasing pain and nausea. However, on Friday, Anne became nauseous to the point of vomiting everything taken in, even water – and this has continued the whole weekend. She feels the time has come.

She is starting sedation this evening, and is expected to slip into less and less consciousness in the days to come. The doctor expects she will be gone within two weeks.

While she, and all of us appreciate help and sustenance from loved ones, we feel that this is an important time for the family to be alone together.

All the gestures, food, messages of love and support that have flowed in this past year have helped Anne and the rest of us immeasurably. Thanks to you all.

We will keep you posted.

41 comments:

Dylan said...

Hello Anne and JP.

I've only recently been pointed to your blog and I'm sorry to arrive so late. Your energy, joy and adventure is fondly remembered from my childhood. My family and I are all sending you our love.

Dylan Parker

Karen said...

Anne, Jean-Paul, Miriam, Eric

Much love and my very best wishes to you at this time.

Karen Skowron

Leif Parker said...

I've never been great at recalling faces on a whim, especially those distant, but when I saw these photos from your blog, your smile leapt out and was met halfway, in a thunderclap, with my memories.

Your smile is one of the brightest I have known, then and now.

My wife and I send our thoughts and love.

Leif and Samara

magnus bogucki said...

hugs to you all.

Unknown said...

Hello Anne and Jean Paul, I'm sorry it's taken me this long to write but you've been in my thoughts every day. I send you all my love and I treasure the times we've shared.

Unknown said...

Wishing you a whole week of sunshine this week in Toronto. Thinking of you both.

Unknown said...

What is there to say? Thanks Anne for the energy, the spirit, the laughter. And JP, Eric, Miriam - what a fantastic foursome you have been on this journey. Much love to you all, Larry

Unknown said...

Keep smiling Anne. I know this will be strange coming from me but with God anything is possible, so no bowing out now... please Anne. Lots of love to you and fam. Big big big hug. Chris K

Chris Doughty said...

Anne and JP, you have been in my thoughts so much recently. Thank you for everything. Your warmth and generosity have gone so much further than you can possibly know, around the world over and over again.

Wishing you all the love in my heart, Chris

Unknown said...

Anne and JP, I am looking for the right words and I cannot seem to find any that would convey what I feel and think at the moment. Just wanted to let you know that I will be always grateful to have met you and shared many wonderful moments at RCN. Many hugs

Anonymous said...

Beloved Anne and JP. Thank you both for making the world a better place. You are truly fabulous people and I think of you often. Thank you Anne, for the love, the laughs, the generosity, the advice, the care, the hugs. Thank you for sharing. You've touched so so many, and you will live on in all of our hearts, all over the world. We love you. All my love, Blue.

Anonymous said...

Dear Anne and JP,
Even though we do not live far from you comparing to many others from all over the world, we understand that you and your family would like to be alone for the moment. But we would like to let you know that you are in our thoughts all the time.
Anne, we love you and will always do, your smiles are like sunshine to many people and lit up their days and lives. Thank you for being part of our lives and we will always think of you.

Aimable and Hong

Maureen Wolfson said...

Anne,
I wanted to thank you for your ongoing interest in my health as I recovered from my own battle with cancer. You are a beautiful, loving, caring person and remain in my thoughts.

Much love and hugs,
Maureen

Anonymous said...

Dearest Anne and JP,
You are simply the best and you are in my thoughts and heart. Lots of love from me and the little boy or girl in my stomach, I am going to be a mum in April and I will do my very best following your wonderful examples.
Big hug, Tina

Mirta said...

At the end of a journey, love is all that remains. Then, through that love comes a new beginning. It will be ok, for all of you :)
Loving you from afar, Mirta :)
<3

Unknown said...

Dearest Anne and JP,
You are in my thoughts as always!

All my love,
Kjetil

Peter B said...

Dearest Anne and JP,

Words fail me. I have spent these last 24 hours trying to process this news, and it is hard.

You both played huge part in one of the most important times in my life. Those two years in Flekke shaped me in large part into the person I am today. Know that your attention, compassion, and wonderful personalities were critical to that process. There was always time to talk, an open door, and a smile.

J-P, despite your best efforts, my math skills never really did develop, but what little I carry with me today, I carry thanks to you and your indomitable will to overcome teenage sloth and laziness. I suspect that will is being tested these days, and my thoughts go out to you.

Anne, I will never forget how welcome you made me feel, at the school and in your home. The two thanksgivings I spent at Nordic, with the true north-americans (I am but a halfbreed) eating your food, and enjoying your company. You are truly one of the best.

I continue to think of you, and hope for better news.

Know that my love goes out to you both, and to your family, in these trying times.

Peter B.

Anonymous said...

Dearest Anne and JP,

No words can describe what I feel right now.
You are in my thoughts and I love you immensely.

My mum is going through the same at the moment.

Thinking of you!

Marko [RCNUWC 2003]

Elizabeta Gorgoska said...

Thinking of you guys!

Love,
e

Paul said...

Emmalee's and my thoughts and prayers are with Anne and particularly with the family. I wish that there were words that could reconcile us all to this. I remember the good times over the years; Anne's wry smile, pasture golf, planned visits that never happened. Our love is with you all.
Paul

Anonymous said...

anne, for saving the world with your smile, grace, and love -- and for saving one life in particular -- i will always be grateful. jean paul, miriam, eric, my thoughts are with you in this most difficult of times. may the love you all have for one another carry you through this valley.

robin

Unknown said...

Much love and big hugs for your whole family, Anne and JP!

Anonymous said...

Big hugs from here.
xx
Michelle

Anonymous said...

Dear Anne and JP,
These are terrible news - I wasn't aware thar you (Anne) were sick - I am so so sad to hear this!
I remember all the good times we've had and I will cherish those memories forever :-)
I miss the cinamon toast and your ever present smile...!
I will pray for you and keep you in my heart!
Love, Sandur.

Lana said...

I recently spent a week watching my grandmother slip away. I am so sorry for your incredible loss. I just wanted you to know I am thinking about you.

Anonymous said...

Dearest Anne and JP, such saddening news. I wish you all strength and love to let go, in this life. Xx Marjanne

mkt said...

Thank you, Anne & JP, for your courage and generosity in sharing this, and everything that has come before. love, Mia

SzeWing said...

I am sending you lots of love and prayers. Follow the Light. May the peace be with you every step of the way. Love & Hugs, SzeWing

noodlecapricciosa said...

Dearest Anne and JP and the rest of your family,
hope you are all spending every moment with lots of warmth, love and comfort.
Lots of love,
Holly Cheng

Anonymous said...

Sending you all my love and prayers. Thank you for your love, warmth and generosity. I am so grateful for every moment shared. Thinking of you.

All my love,
Jeanette P.

Miss (IN)Dependent said...

Dear Anne and JP,

I have only been pointed to this blog by Fai and sadden to hear this. I will pray for you.

With much love from Bangkok,

Punnee

Unknown said...

Dear Anne and JP,
It is with eyes full of tears that I'm watching the pictures at your blog.

The beauty, the wits and the warmth that you have spread in your life already exceed that what most people manage in a full lifetime.

Love from Sweden,
Magnus, Sara and Albert

Anonymous said...

Stay strong dear friends.

You are in our thoughts and prayers...

Iaroslav

Elisabeth Jusnes said...

I cannot find the right words after reading this last post except how sad it made me.

I´m sending all the love, positive energy and continued hope there is.

Thank you for the time we have shared. They are treasured memories!

Love
Elisabeth Jusnes

nancy said...

Dear Anne and J-P and kids, My love to you during this very difficult time. Anne, your radiant smile will remain with me always.
Love Nancy

Unknown said...

Big hugs to all of you!

Hoa Nguyen

Anonymous said...

anne,jp,miriam and eric,,moira and me are so very blessed for having you in our lives,,you are all prime examples of what our species is meant to be,,,our love and thanks are with you my darling annie,jp,miriam and eric,,,

Anonymous said...

Dear Anne and JP, much love to you both in this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Awo

Anonymous said...

My prayers are with you all. May you have the necessary strength during such trying times.
Sabelo

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you! And feeling thankful and lucky for having met you - the time in Flekke would not have been the same without your warmth.

Cecilie (RCN 01)

Anonymous said...

My thoughts are with you all. Much love to you both in these tough times. Victor (RCN 03)

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