Sunday, July 31, 2011

Memorial Service for Tina...

Wanted to let everyone know we will be having a memorial service for Tina on Tuesday, August 16th at 6:30pm at the Scottsdale Worship Center in Scottsdale, AZ...

Scottsdale Worship Center
6508 East Cactus Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85254-4553
(480) 483-2401

We give more details as we get them...

Friday, July 22, 2011

The journey has ended...

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I let you know Tina's journey has ended. She went peacefully this afternoon, and was surrounded by family. Tina's story of her battle with melanoma touched many people, and was an inspiration to all - she will be missed dearly...

We will be having a memorial service on Monday here in Michigan, and will share more information once we get it...

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Heading home...

Well, we checked Tina out of the hospital today and brough her back to her parents house for the last part of her journey. Her condition has worsened unexpectedly the last week, and after running a number of tests at the hospital, they determined there just wasn't anything they could do to help her. She was happy to be going home though, so at least she can be comfortable and surrounded by family and friends.

It is very hard to see someone so strong, such a fighter, and such an inspiration to so many people, so weak. We all still believe in miracles though, so any prayers or pleasant thoughts would be much apprecaited...

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Got some good news, got some bad news...

Well, have some good news, and have some bad news for you. First, the bad news...

Today we had to check Tina into the hospital. The last 4 or 5 days have been really bad for her, and she has been getting weaker and weaker every day. She had lost a lot of weight, her energy level was down, and she had very little appetite. We had a talk with her, and we gave her the option to head to a hospital, or wait a day or two to see if she got better. With the way she was feeling, she opted to head to the hospital...and we all agreed it was the right thing to do.

The good news, if you can call it good news, is we now know why she was feeling so bad - pneumonia. I guess the infection in her left lung is really bad. She was moved to ICU, and they have already begun treatment for it. We are hoping for a speedy recovery, but due to the weak condition she was in before we got to the hospital, it might take a bit longer than normal for her. Yes, it is a stretch to call it good news, but it could have been much worse - at least it doesn't have anything to do with the cancer. We are happy we got her into the hospital when we did...

While we are here, we are also going to see if we can get a read of how Tina is doing aside from the pneumonia. Since she has been in hospice so long, we haven't really had any tests done on either her heart or her tumor(s). Hopefully being in the hospital might give us some information that might help us after she gets out as we look at the next steps to try and get her treatment - our goal AFTER we get her better from the pneumonia...

Anyway, will keep you updated in the next couple of days...

Friday, July 15, 2011

Michigan Update from Mom

Tina's first couple of weeks in MI went fairly well. Tons of changes for the Sullivan family for sure. Todd and Teya seemed to have settled in quite well. Tina has a first floor room in our home. She can see the water from her room and the living room. Tina enjoys spending some time on the deck which over looks a lake. Teya swims a lot and loves the speed boat. Todd is learning to drive the speed boat with dad skiing and mastering his own boarding skills.

Tina had to have an abnormal tap last Friday. The Hospital was able to remove 7-lbs of fluids, which brought much needed relief. Since the tap Tina has had some very good days and some bad ones. But with all the prayers we are thankful that the good days are out weighing the bad.

Today marked another start of a new challenge Tina is taking on. She began some small exercises to try and increase her strength in her legs and arms and over all body. I am very proud of her and believe she did a very good job. She has been doing some strengthen but is now working even harder. A good friend of mine brought over a walker with wheels and a seat on it. The walker truly made major changes in Tina's ability to walk more. Funny how simply things can truly change one's life.

She is surrounding with lots of family and friends. We never know who's stopping by for a visit: brother, aunts, uncles, cousins, niece's, nephews and friends. Even a sheriff stop by for a visit ha-ha her uncle. Tina's aunt comes now every Wed and spends the day with her and gives mom a much needed day off. Big hugs go out to her and those of our friends and family who have step up to take time out of there precious days to become part of Team Pale Skin is in.

One last bit of news while Todd continues to work out of the RV we all travel to MI in. He and Teya will have a new home by the first of the month. My husband and I bought the house next door to us and they will have a place to call home in MI. Teya says she can't wait to move in.

Well that's all for now, thank for all your love, prayers and support. Tina still feels it all and hopes one day soon she will be able to speak with you directly.