My Fondest Memory

My Dearest Sally

Born: February 3, 1947

Died: September 19, 2008

Wonderful wife, mother, friend..

Last November, on our 42nd wedding anniversary, Sally gave me a letter she wrote to her parents in September 1966, as she was flying over the Atlantic Ocean to make her home with me in Germany. This was a big trip for their daughter who was just 19 years old, and they were quite concerned as they waved goodbye to her at JFK Airport in New York.. Her letter was very reassuring to her parents as she spoke of her new home with me.. "Don't worry Mom & Dad. I'm now where my heart has been for the past three months. With Love, Sally" As I watched Sally depart this life for her long eternal home these words seemed to be directed toward me, and were clearly in her heart again. Dick

Sally's Obituary - http://obits.pennlive.com/PennLive/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=117706893

Our Final Trip to Johns Hopkins Hospital

Today we went to Johns Hopkins Hospital for an evaluation of Sally's cancer. In the morning we had blood work, and CT scans of Sallys chest, abdomen and pelvis. After completing these tests we, (Sally, I and our 4 children), went to visit Charles and Mamie Graves. ( Mamie had open heart surgery last week, and is in the hospital rehab.) Our visit was an inspiration to all of us as Sally and Mamie shared their common experiences together and the encouragement each has been to the other.

At 1:30 we met with Dr Rudin to go over the test results. Dr Rudin began by telling us that the cancer was spreading and that further treatment was not possible. Sally replied "Good, I want to go HOME!" As the doctor and I tried to discuss continuing medication to assist Sally in terms of quality of life, she repeated, " I want to go HOME!" Finally when she saw that she wasn't being heard, she said to the doctor, "Doctor, when God says that he wants me to come HOME, I don't believe that he would be happy if I replied that I want to spend my time in some hospital." I said, "I want to go HOME! That is my choice.. Some of my children may not feel as I do, and they may feel free to make their wishes known, but THAT IS MY CHOICE." After a moment of silence, each of our children said that they agreed with Sally's choice. With that said, we began our journey back to our home to spend our final days awaiting Sally's call HOME.

Sally rested peacefully as we drove home. She went to bed for about an hour then asked me if she could get up. As I peeled an orange, we visited together. At one point in our conversation, she asked me, " Are you ready to help me get out of here?" I replied, " I don't understand?" She said, "Yes, you do know what I mean. I have been asking you this question for a few weeks now, and you haven't answered me." I assured her that I was ready and prepared to help her complete the final steps of her journey.

Sally and I have been singing together Hymn 105, which says "Life's short day will soon be over, Then we'll see the one we love - Fellowship divine forever, In the Father's home above." Today we witnessed that these were more than just words to Sally.

Mother's Day Weekend..

Even though we could not have our traditional meal altogether this Mother's Day, the weekend was packed with visits.. Dan, Kate and Zolani visited Saturday.. When they arrived, I awoke Sally and announced their arrival.. She replied " I can't beleive that they finally made it!!! ( they have had sickness which prevented them from coming over the past few weeks.) Sally was up and down most of the day. Twice when she went to bed in the afternoon, Dan,Kate and Zolani prepared to leave, but before the got into their car, Sally was beckoning to get up..







Sunday's activities were even more amazing with Susie coming to stay with Sally while I went to meeting.. Susie and I prepared dinner ( she explains these activities in detail in their blog) which we thoroughly enjoyed, not because of the food, but because of Sally's new-found zest for eating!! As dinner was finishing it occurred to me that today was Mother's Day for both my wife and my daughter who were able to spend it together.


The remainder of Susie's family and Ron, Kalyn, Robert and Ian joined us for dessert.. As you might imagine the Chocolate Ice Cream from Massey's was a tremendous hit.. After dessert the kids hit the rope swing for a little fun and exercise.




The day was very enjoyable, as Sally remained awake and participated with everyone throughout the afternoon and early evening.

Sally's Second Chemo Treatment

Since my last communication, little has changed regarding Sally's condition. She continues to sleep 18+ hours each day. Generally speaking, she seems a bit weaker each day.

Yesterday, we returned to Johns Hopkins for Sally's second chemo treatment. Ron took us, as I felt that the trip was too much for me to attempt alone with Sally.

I asked Dr Rudin, Sally's oncologist, if he would see Sally while we were there to give us (me) some guidance as to developments which I observed over the past 4 weeks since the completion of brain radiation. He agreed, and arrived shortly after our 1PM treatment began. He spent about an hour and a half with us. Over the course of the visit, it became apparent that many of the adverse developments were the down-side effects of the steroid that Sally has been taking. Dr Rudin prescribed a tapering of the steroid. He also called in a staff psychologist who met with Sally to determine more clearly her current mental state. The psychologist verified things which we have been observing, and indicated these are also associated with the steroid. She prescribed medication for releiving the symptoms, and indicated that most should clear up with the reduction of the steroid. It was a tremendously long day, and Sally was exhausted by the time we returned home.

Our weeks have been filled with visits from the friends and workers. Many helped us so that we could have the workers visit us at our home during this time. Our Special Meetings concluded on Sunday April 23rd. Although neither Sally nor I could attend, we listened to the meetings over the phone..

We continue to be thankful for each day, thankful for the peace and trust we have in our Heavenly Father, and thankful for each of you that remember us in various ways.