I didn’t want to add this to the “Thanksgiving Plans?” thread because due to its nature it would change the tone of that thread. I’ll be cooking a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for Bill and I at home, but our son and his family will join us for a full dinner of leftovers on Friday or Saturday since they will be flying home across country on Thanksgiving Day. Our past month has been filled with phone calls relaying sad news from family members.

On October 26 the husband of one of my cousins died while they were on vacation in Peru. Herb had always wanted to travel to Machu Picchu and he finally realized that dream. A day or two later in Cusco (an even higher elevation) he died of an apparent cardiac arrest. The people in Peru were wonderful to my cousin, Linda, accompanying her and assisting with translation as she waded through all the red tape of arranging for returning with Herb’s casket to the USA. Her birthday fell on one of the five days she had to remain in Peru following his death. We were at least able to travel to PA for his burial and memorial service. Of the 16 family members (including spouses) of my generation in our family this was the first death. On the happy side, we did get to visit with family including my stepfather who is now 101 years old. Dad’s knee had been bothering him some but he did not need his cane the day we visited and even climbed up several stairs to get into the restaurant he chose when we took him out to lunch!

Two days after returning home from PA we got a phone call with news that the son-in-law of my sister we stayed with in PA had just been diagnosed with a growth the size of an orange in his brain. My sister and brother-in-law are now in TX with their daughter and granddaughter. Jim’s tumor was removed and the biopsy showed level 3 cancer. After a brief recovery period chemo will be started.

Later that week we learned from our daughter-in-law that her youngest brother (only 27 years old) was severely ill in University Hospital in Seattle. Finally, on November 17, Ryan was diagnosed with advanced liver cancer. Since it has already spread throughout his body all they can do for him is to offer palliative care. Currently this involves radiation of three large tumors in his head to try to shrink them hopefully preventing them from causing mental changes and radiation of a large tumor in his back to relieve pain. Due to Ryan’s prognosis our son and his family all flew out to Seattle to spend some time with him.

Despite all that is happening we still give thanks. We have a wonderful God who is the giver of everything. We see His workmanship and love all around us and recognize that all that we have comes from Him. We never know what circumstances will come our way in the next moment but we still give praise and thanks in all things. Thanks to you for listening.

Oh my, Kathy! I just don't know what to say, except that I so admire your faith and fortitude and hope that the future for your family members improves. Will be thinking of you all. :hug:

Echoing Kathy's comments, Kathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. {{{{{Kathy & Bill}}}}}

Kathy,

We are sad with you - so much to accept all at once. Faith is so important. Thank you for sharing yours with us. We're here to listen and send you our hugs and thoughts.

Kathy,
I'm so sorry to hear of all your heartbreaking news. It sounds as though your strong faith will carry you through this, but I wanted you to know that I will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Jacki

Kathy, I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Nancy

Kathy ~ Your bravery, your faith and your wonderful optimism are such an inspiration. We'll all hug our loved ones a little tighter tonight.

Oh, Kathy, I'm so sorry! So much for one family, all at once. You'll be in my family's prayers, for sure!

Kathy,
I am so very sorry to hear all this. Please know that we will keep your and your family in our thoughts and prayers. I too, admire your faith and courage.
:hug:

I too am so sorry to hear of all this. Your family sounds so very strong and faith does see you through, although it can be hard at times like this.
You and your family will be in our prayers as you deal with all this, and remember your LCT friends are always here to listen. The strenght that can come from this wonderful group of LCT'ers is amazing.
:hug:

Kathy,

So very sorry! You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Kathy, I'm really sorry to hear about all of these terrible problems, and for the grief and pain your family is bearing. All the best.

You are all so kind. I feel like you are my virtual family. I liked Bonnie's suggestion - hug your loved ones a little tighter tonight.

Kathy,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you . . .

Peggy

Sometimes these periods of tremendous sadness help us realize the good things that we have. Our sympathies to you and your family.

Kathy: I am so sorry for the many difficulties your family is experiencing. You have faith in abundance and it will sustain you during these troubled times - - Joanna

Kathy:

Your news would be devistating for anyone, but your outlook and positive response must be wonderful support for all of your family.

As Andi said, in sad times we cherish special things that might not otherwise be noticed.

I hope those special things give you comfort at this difficult time.

Kathy, we are all here for you with open arms. Bless your heart.

Kathy,

I am so very sorry to hear your sad news. What a most difficult time for you and your family.

Kathy - that is a huge load for your family to bear. Keep the faith .. and know we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. All the best, Anne

Kathy, I'm so sorry for your family's troubles. You are right though, when it's time to share...good times or bad...one of the first places we think to come is LCT. Hard to explain to someone unfamiliar with our group.

I know that your faith will keep you strong. Like many others have said, I'll be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Kathy please know that you are in my prayers and God bless you for having such a strong faith!

Kathy, I am so sorry to hear about all that has been happening to you and your family. Just know that we are here for you.

Kathy,
I was so sorry to hear all your news. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. :hug: Take care!

Kathy,

So sorry to hear about all that your family is going through. You and your family will certainly be in our thoughts and prayers.

Bette

Kathy, we'll be thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.

Kathy, my friend, so sorry to hear about all that is going on in your life. :(

Masaki

Kathy,
My thoughts are with you during this difficult time! :hug:

Thanks to all of you for your wonderful thoughts and hugs. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Well now I'm packing leftovers into the freezer. (We'll either eat lots of cranberry orange apple gelatin salad or toss some out.) We just got an email from our son. Their 5 year-old got the stomach flu last night. Today the rest of them (2 adults, 8 year-old and 17 month old) have it. Jenna seems better now so they are hopeful it is just a 24 hour bug. They have rescheduled their flight home to Saturday.

Kathy - hope they have a safe trip home and are feeling better very soon. Happy thanksgiving to you and yours, too. We're grateful you are such a wonderful part of our LCT community. Cheers, Anne

Wow, Kathy - what a lot to be hit with at once, especially around the holidays. My prayers are with you and your loved ones!

Kathy, I am very late in seeing this thread but wanted to add my best wishes. You and those close to you have been hammered with devastating news. Your positive outlook is commendable and no doubt will help all around you. Hope your holiday went as well as possible under the circumstances.

You were all so kind in your thoughts expressed last month. Today I have a sad update: our daughter-in-law's brother, Ryan, lost his battle with cancer and heart failure this morning. Renee did make a second trip out to Seattle to spend more time with him; visiting there from December 12th - 19th. She took Jason (18 months old) with her and Bill and I helped our son by taking the girls ages 8 1/2 and 5 1/2 two nights and three days. We are so glad that Renee had that extra time with Ryan where they had some good talks about their favorite times together and laughed together over how his girlfriend's cat was afraid of all the get-well balloons people had sent.

Ryan's parents and girlfriend were with him when he died peacefully.

Kathy how very sad! I am glad your daughter-in-law was able to go and spend time with her brother last week...I am sure it will mean so much to her now and always.

Kathy,

I had not read your original post until today. I'm so sorry about your loss. Death is always difficult but more so when the person is so young.

Kathy,

I am so very sorry to hear of this very sad news.

Alan's and my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. How fortunate that he was able to spend some very special time with his family. It's never easy to loose a loved one, especially someone so young.

This is the first we're reading this also. We're so sorry to hear this. We wish you and your family the strength to continue during this challenging time.

Arlene and Gil

Kathy - our best wishes to you, your family, and your DIL's family. It's particularly hard when it's in the holiday season ... :(

Masaki

Kathy, that is very sad news. What a heartache. We had similar news this week. Diana's brothers step- daughter (37 years old) passed away last Sunday from a brain tumor. It was a shock to us. This came after his wifes mother passed away just two months ago. It is difficult anytime, but like Masaki said, it is especially hard when it is during the holidays. We wish you and your family peace during this time.