Monday, June 29, 2009
Oh this is going to be another chapter in my book!
Well....the past couple weeks have been weird. Very weird. All and all the kids and I are doing okay. Good minutes/bad minutes. Maddy asked me, "So when are you going to clear out Dad's closet?" I said, "Whenever you're ready." She replied, "You know how I feel about a clean closet, I don't have emotional attachments to his khakis." And khakis Kurt had--approx. 32 pairs. Can we talk shorts--15 tan or khaki. And yes, there were other colors. I stopped counting! We have enough camoflauge to dress the troops in Iraq, camo flashlights, camo chairs, camo pants, camo boots, camo underwear, camo hats, camo fleece, camo canvas...I am sure I am missing something. I didn't realize how much equipment we had to kill small animals!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Kurt and Michael Jackson
Does anyone think that it's funny that Kurt and Michael Jackson are in heaven together?!? That vision makes me laugh.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
To All of Kurt's Friends
I'm on a blog role...but I just wanted to share my Deepest of Sympathy to all of Kurt's friends. Last week when the 1500+ people paid their respects to us, flying and driving in from around the country, I was in absolute shock. Kurt touched so many peoples' lives. He was friends with some of you for over 30-40 years whether it was from Homewood/Flossmoor OR 24 years +10 months (as I was informed by the HR dept.) at Salomon, Smith Barney, Travelers, Citi (did I name them all!). Some of you stood shoulder to shoulder with Kurt for 8+ hours a day for years, like brothers.
It breaks my heart to think about losing any of my friends, each and everyone of them are special in their own way, whether it's laughter, support, strength or fun. My heart is heavy for all of you, knowing you lost such a silly, goofy, smiley, grumpy, shakey, hard working, helpful, life-loving, dedicated friend--Kurt. I am so, so sorry. My friends are my pillars, I know you were his.
Thank you for loving him. He loved all of you too as you can read by his old posts. Thank you for your love and support for me and the children. The outpour of friends from all directions will keep us strong. And when we aren't strong, we know where to turn because friends are God's gifts.
xoxo
It breaks my heart to think about losing any of my friends, each and everyone of them are special in their own way, whether it's laughter, support, strength or fun. My heart is heavy for all of you, knowing you lost such a silly, goofy, smiley, grumpy, shakey, hard working, helpful, life-loving, dedicated friend--Kurt. I am so, so sorry. My friends are my pillars, I know you were his.
Thank you for loving him. He loved all of you too as you can read by his old posts. Thank you for your love and support for me and the children. The outpour of friends from all directions will keep us strong. And when we aren't strong, we know where to turn because friends are God's gifts.
xoxo
Happy Father's Day
Wishing all the Dads out there a good day whether it's laying on the sofa watching a car race or baseball game or out on the golf course. Kurt would have preferred the first choice! Tonight we are going to Morton's Steakhouse in honor of Kurt. He loved steak--in fact when I was pregnant with David, he referred to him as "Steak Bodell." Madeline on the other hand was labeled "Petit Filet." Every birthday we would ask the kids "Where would you like to go to dinner for your birthday? It would range from McDonald's to Old Country Buffet until one fine day, one of the kids announced (not sure who to give credit for here...) "Mortons." Kurt almost hit the ceiling in excitement. I remember when Madeline was about three, she started inhaling steak. She had a twinkle in her eyes just like her dad. She loved it. He was so proud!
Have a great day!
Have a great day!
Monday, June 15, 2009
I will continue to post
Hi everyone, a friend asked me to keep posting to keep you updated on the Bodells. Since writing is one of my outlets, I will continue this blog on and off for the next few weeks--lots to say, lots to thank, lots to share. Once again, I'm going to bed at 2 a.m., I'm not Jewish, but I think I've been sitting Sheeva (did I spell that right?) with Kurt's high school buddies for the past four nights. Time to detox! A few hours ago, John Fanning, a dear high school friend of Kurt's graciously said to me, "Jani, thank you for putting up with us this weekend." I quickly replied, "You mean thank you for putting up with you the past 25 years!" Thank you HF guys for giving Kurt so much laughter and love for the past 35+ years. xoxo
Friday, June 12, 2009
Our friend is in Heaven
Kurt passed away Wednesday, June 10th at 9 a.m. Even though I knew he was weaker this time around and lost a lot of weight, I didn't think he'd leave us this soon, especially since there was a complete turn around since my last post.
On Tuesday evening, I walked into his hospital room, He was sitting up in bed, watching hockey, eating ice chips (to prevent mouth sores from chemo) and was really upbeat. His voice was 100% normal. He was alert and able to hold a good conversation. He had eaten a lot that day and was full. He read mail (with his reading glasses which was very weird--first time in 10 years), we talked, laughed, I helped him wash up, he wanted clean clothes, he helped me with facebook scrabble, we sat in his bed and watch the Jimmy Falon show which he remarked, "This show is really stupid. Why are we watching this?" It was the best I had seen him in two weeks. I was thrilled, I thought that this was a great way to go into the whole stem cell transplant.
We talked about how proud he was of the kids and how much potential they have. He mentioned that he wanted to tell them, but didn't want to seem morbid.
Around midnight the nurse kept coming in to check his blood pressure. It was dropping. She had a couple doctors come in, they tried hydrating, but that didn't bring it up. So they took him to the ICU around 6:20 a.m. The doctors talked to us and started hooking him up to things. The doctor asked him, if something happens to you, Kurt, would you like to be resuscitated, he responded, "whatever you'd like to do." (so easy going!). Then he started to gasp for air. I asked the doctor if I should get family to the hospital. She said yes as soon as possible. So I called his parents and my brother to pick up the kids and eventually Ray Walton came by to be with me.
They gave him an oxygen mask which wasn't working. They had to put a tube down to his lungs, so they asked me to leave the room. Next thing you know it, they are called "Dr. Cart, room 602"--that isn't something you want to hear, that means someone is dying. That was kurt's room. So ran around the corner and they were frantically working on him. I felt like I was watching a live ER episode. It was aweful. I thought, God please don't take him the kids aren't here. So I started yelling over the doctors working on him "Kurt you can't leave us yet, the kids are coming, please don't leave, etc." A champlan stood bye me and prayed. He said, "Look, he's back." The doctor walked up and said, "he's with us." During all this I called Kurt's brother, Greg and scared the daylights out of him. Sorry Greg. Hysteria isn't one of my strong points!
I talked to the doctor about his status, he was in a bad place. They agreed to keep the meds going to elevate his heart rate, but they didn't know how long his body could take it. Thank you Ray for standing by my side. So I called his brother, the kids, his parents and Tammy and John and held the phone to his ears so they could talk to him just incase he passed. Technology at its best. I knew Kurt could hear us. He reached out to Ray and I. He was holding on. Ray and I held his hands and rubbed his head, repeating "the kids are on their way, please don't go to heaven yet; Kurt, 10 more minutes and they will be here. Kurt, sorry, it'll be 20 more minutes." I thought, he is probably really pissed. I kept reminding him that it was morning rush hour traffic and eveyone was stuck in it. We prayed over him, the champlan sang to him. I told him to talk to God and ask for forgiveness and pray to go to heaven AFTER the kids arrive!
Everyone made it! They got to talk to Kurt, kiss him, love him and be with him. I told Kurt that I was going to tell the kids right there with him about what he and I had talked about the night before--about how proud he was of them, etc. I was so happy to have shared that with them with Maddy and David by his side. He passed minutes after that.
Kurt will be missed by so many. He's with his dad right now, I'm sure. His father, David died when Kurt was eight, so imagine they are catching up, driving in fast heaven cars and eating tons of steak. Maybe my grandmas is cooking them spaghetti and gravy.
Kurt will be waked at Hallowell and James (55th St. in Countryside) from 3-9 on Friday, June 12th. We will have a memorial mass at Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 1:00 on Saturday, June 13th (Kensington Road, La Grange). (Sorry it's 2 a.m. and I'm too lazy to look up the addresses.)
Thank you everyone for your love, support and encouragement. Kurt's at peace now, I hope all of us (you too) will be too.
On Tuesday evening, I walked into his hospital room, He was sitting up in bed, watching hockey, eating ice chips (to prevent mouth sores from chemo) and was really upbeat. His voice was 100% normal. He was alert and able to hold a good conversation. He had eaten a lot that day and was full. He read mail (with his reading glasses which was very weird--first time in 10 years), we talked, laughed, I helped him wash up, he wanted clean clothes, he helped me with facebook scrabble, we sat in his bed and watch the Jimmy Falon show which he remarked, "This show is really stupid. Why are we watching this?" It was the best I had seen him in two weeks. I was thrilled, I thought that this was a great way to go into the whole stem cell transplant.
We talked about how proud he was of the kids and how much potential they have. He mentioned that he wanted to tell them, but didn't want to seem morbid.
Around midnight the nurse kept coming in to check his blood pressure. It was dropping. She had a couple doctors come in, they tried hydrating, but that didn't bring it up. So they took him to the ICU around 6:20 a.m. The doctors talked to us and started hooking him up to things. The doctor asked him, if something happens to you, Kurt, would you like to be resuscitated, he responded, "whatever you'd like to do." (so easy going!). Then he started to gasp for air. I asked the doctor if I should get family to the hospital. She said yes as soon as possible. So I called his parents and my brother to pick up the kids and eventually Ray Walton came by to be with me.
They gave him an oxygen mask which wasn't working. They had to put a tube down to his lungs, so they asked me to leave the room. Next thing you know it, they are called "Dr. Cart, room 602"--that isn't something you want to hear, that means someone is dying. That was kurt's room. So ran around the corner and they were frantically working on him. I felt like I was watching a live ER episode. It was aweful. I thought, God please don't take him the kids aren't here. So I started yelling over the doctors working on him "Kurt you can't leave us yet, the kids are coming, please don't leave, etc." A champlan stood bye me and prayed. He said, "Look, he's back." The doctor walked up and said, "he's with us." During all this I called Kurt's brother, Greg and scared the daylights out of him. Sorry Greg. Hysteria isn't one of my strong points!
I talked to the doctor about his status, he was in a bad place. They agreed to keep the meds going to elevate his heart rate, but they didn't know how long his body could take it. Thank you Ray for standing by my side. So I called his brother, the kids, his parents and Tammy and John and held the phone to his ears so they could talk to him just incase he passed. Technology at its best. I knew Kurt could hear us. He reached out to Ray and I. He was holding on. Ray and I held his hands and rubbed his head, repeating "the kids are on their way, please don't go to heaven yet; Kurt, 10 more minutes and they will be here. Kurt, sorry, it'll be 20 more minutes." I thought, he is probably really pissed. I kept reminding him that it was morning rush hour traffic and eveyone was stuck in it. We prayed over him, the champlan sang to him. I told him to talk to God and ask for forgiveness and pray to go to heaven AFTER the kids arrive!
Everyone made it! They got to talk to Kurt, kiss him, love him and be with him. I told Kurt that I was going to tell the kids right there with him about what he and I had talked about the night before--about how proud he was of them, etc. I was so happy to have shared that with them with Maddy and David by his side. He passed minutes after that.
Kurt will be missed by so many. He's with his dad right now, I'm sure. His father, David died when Kurt was eight, so imagine they are catching up, driving in fast heaven cars and eating tons of steak. Maybe my grandmas is cooking them spaghetti and gravy.
Kurt will be waked at Hallowell and James (55th St. in Countryside) from 3-9 on Friday, June 12th. We will have a memorial mass at Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 1:00 on Saturday, June 13th (Kensington Road, La Grange). (Sorry it's 2 a.m. and I'm too lazy to look up the addresses.)
Thank you everyone for your love, support and encouragement. Kurt's at peace now, I hope all of us (you too) will be too.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
latest - tuesday
This will be short (I doubt it)...Kurt is finishing up chemo tomorrow. He will receive the stem cells on Thursday morning. They took his feeding tube out which really irritates Nurse Betty since he won't get as much nutrition eating on his own versus the drip. I had some words with the doctors. When I'm on the news in handcuffs, you'll know why. They remarked, "oh, we can always put it back in.." Yeah, that's easy to do when someone doesn't have an immune system and could bleed to death. (Am I being sarcastic?) Thank God Carol White (the nurse practitioner was standing by and overheard the conversation and said, "Jani's right."--shocking no one ever listens to me!) I told them that I would like to make the health decisions since Kurt is heavily medicated and as Kurt has remarked, "I have chemo brain." Sorry, Kurt. Remember, I am the drill sergeant and cheerleader. Don't make me bring a whip and Pom Pons! LOL. This would be a problem at U of C with rotating doctor staffs--not all the information gets passed on from one group to the next.
Happy to report as of one minute ago, Kurt actually drank via mouth some Ensure last night and this morning. This is great since two weeks ago he remarked, "I'm not drinking that ----!" Also, if you visit Kurt, please bring a milkshake, we have a protein powder in the room that can be mixed in the milkshake.
All I can say is thank heavens for my zoloft!
Keep the faith, jani
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Saturday, June 6th
Boy oh boy the pressure to get a post on here...I didn't realize the morning popularity! Kurt started chemo on Thursday evening to get ready for the stem cell transplant set for next week. The staff decided that getting new cells in him as soon as possible was the best situation versus waiting and risking more viruses or complications.
Since the last post Kurt has started eating fruit cups, watermelon, Popsicles, and jello. They continue to use the feeling tube to give him nutrients. He has adjusted quite nicely to that strange apparatus. When he first got it, it was taped to the top of his head, so he was bobbing it up and down, having his head do a dance--always entertaining!
He hasn't had a fever in several days which is terrific. His positive attitude is back, and he is ready to move forward. As always we appreciate the love, support and prayers. xoxo
Since the last post Kurt has started eating fruit cups, watermelon, Popsicles, and jello. They continue to use the feeling tube to give him nutrients. He has adjusted quite nicely to that strange apparatus. When he first got it, it was taped to the top of his head, so he was bobbing it up and down, having his head do a dance--always entertaining!
He hasn't had a fever in several days which is terrific. His positive attitude is back, and he is ready to move forward. As always we appreciate the love, support and prayers. xoxo
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Post from Flo
Kurt apologizes for not posting, but he said he doesn't have anything to add....however, I do! This past week has been challenging for Kurt. He hasn't been able to eat/swallow due to fever, a virus and a throat issue. So they recommended a feeding tube to which he agreed since he really hasn't had a meal in 5-6 days. The feeding tube is working fine and also helps with his heart meds--dealing with high blood pressure/fast heart. The doctors want him to get stronger for the stem cell transplant--If all goes well the rest of the week, they will start chemo and some other meds on Friday to prep for the transplant. Wednesday morning he will have a new hickman line put in since "they" broke the other one.
Thanks to all for love, support, laughter, patience, visits, food and more food, gift cards, driving my kids, coffee, hugs and kisses (can't get enough of those!).
Fondly, Florence Niten Gale
Thanks to all for love, support, laughter, patience, visits, food and more food, gift cards, driving my kids, coffee, hugs and kisses (can't get enough of those!).
Fondly, Florence Niten Gale
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