Monday, December 20, 2010
20 Dec
Thank you so much for the amazing outpouring of support through comments on the blog. It has been a source of comfort to feel like we are far from alone in this. Sarah's pain subsided last night and I was able to stop giving her morphine. She's stopped drinking fluids and has spent today in a deep slumber. She seems comfortable and at peace now and Thomas, Elizabeth and/or I have been at her bedside continuously. I'm very thankful that she doesn't need to be medicated for pain anymore - she has opened her eyes a few times briefly and was even able to lay her hand on Ben's when he reached out and said good-night to her. The hospice nurses say it looks like she'll slip away very soon - in the next few days.
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39 comments:
Alan, we continue to pray for all of you to recieve much strength, comfort and peace. We think of you and the boys and dear Sarah and pray for peace.
Sheila, John, Charlie, Patrick and Ryan Dempsey
To all of Sarah & Alan's terrific friends:
I am Sarah’s uncle, her mother's brother. I have only met a few of you, but, on behalf of our family, I want to thank you all for your love and friendship with Sarah over the years. Most of my memories of her are as a young girl growing up here in New Orleans, excelling in both school and swimming – ironically, her breast stroke record at St. Martin’s was just broken a few years ago. Then she went to Rice where she met many of you and the love of her life. I will never forget their story-book wedding with Alan playing the violin in his Navy dress whites in St. Paul’s church. Soon those two beautiful boys Ben & Sam came. They lived far away from us and we only saw them occasionally, but were always delighted to be with them and followed the boys’ progress through Alan’s wonderful blog. You knew her much better at this stage of her life and we are very happy that she had such a rich network of friends.
Along with Alan, Ben & Sam, Sarah’s brother Thomas & his wife Kerry, we all share a great loss, decades before her time. Both Sarah and Alan have taught us each a lesson in facing adversity with resolve, poise, dignity and grace. We have all been enriched by her life.
Thank you very much again and may God Bless You All.
Bill Settoon
New Orleans
bsettoon@bellsouth.net
504-915-6915
Alan,
Praying for a peaceful passage for Sarah and love and strength for you and the boys. You are all, especially Sarah, an inspiration in the way you have lived your life throughout all of this.
Tracey Avant
Dear Alan,
Please know that our hearts will continue to be with you as we make our way to see our small family for the holiday.
No one could have dealt with this tragedy with more grace than you and Sarah.
May God continue to be beside you with his healing hands holding you close.
Janet and Lynn
Sarah & Alan,
You are never far from my thoughts and I am keeping you close to my heart in these moments.
Michaela (Mom2Nicklas)
We continue to pray for all of you and we hope that you will find comfort and peace. Tommy wants Ben to know that he is thinking about him.
Lynn, Mark, Tommy, and Kate Wiemold
To Thomas -
I am so glad you made it back up to Kaspar Avenue so quickly. You have been on my mind in particular. I can only imagine your heavy heart as you as you say goodbye to your last immediate family member. May you be comforted by the knowledge that when it is your turn, they will all be waiting for you with open arms, smiling, and beautiful, heavenly bodies.
May your family find peace in these coming days. All of Patton is sending you our strength and love.
Colleen, Pete, Matt & Ryan
You and your family are never far from my thoughts. Our prayers go out to you all.
Carrie Cioni
Alan,
We are glad to hear that Sarah is comfortable and not in any pain. That is the best we can hope for for our loved ones. Sarah knows she is loved and even though she may not open her eyes, she knows you are there with her. May she have a peaceful passage to her next stage of life. We are glad that Thomas is there with you too. Love to you all!
The Peters Family
Alan,
We are still saying lots of prayers for you, Sarah and the boys. Wishing you peace and strength,
Linda, Bob, Joey and Susie Byrom
GOD, Why cant Sarah just wake up and be healed and start talking...You are a GOD of Miracles..Oh im just shaking and a lump is in my throat.....I dont even know this family but I want her to be healed and just wake up..Christmas is here in a few days and she needs to be there for this.......Now im crying....I now this post is bizzare but these are my thoughts.....I want this family fixed and happy......Please GOD cant you just make her better.....from very sad and crying.......
I continue to say many prayers for all of you and it seems one of ours has been answered that Sarah is finding some relief from the pain and she is peaceful. Sarah offered me some beautiful words of support after I lost a baby in 2003 and I want her to know that the gentle hugs she offered me are also being offered to her. May all that surround you feel the presence of Jesus wrapping his arms around you in love.
Just hoping for the same peace and dignity you've had all the way through...good thoughts for all of you.
I don't know your family, but your blog has become a constant reminder of what is most important. I wish you peace and comfort in this difficult time, and I could not be sorrier about how this has gone.
Alan,
I'm praying for peace and comfort for Sarah during her remaining time. And for you and your kids as well. Me and my family are praying for you continually. Please know that there are folks that you dont even know, or who really dont know you, who care deeply for you and what you're going through. God Bless
I've been thinking of you all and hoping that your family - especially Sarah- will find peace after this long, brave battle. Please take some comfort in knowing how very much you all are cared for.
Pat Litberg
Sarah is so smart and beautiful and is leaving an incredible legacy through those two handsome boys. May God give peace to you and your family during these challenging times.
Emily Saab Messerschmitt (STM 90)
Alan,
Thank you for your amazing posts and especially the personal note you e-mailed to me...I truly do not have the words to express how much that meant. I know that Sarah and I crossed paths and became friends for a reason the year our boys were at Village. I am remembering a particular day that we hung out with (my) Ben and Sam at the park. Sarah and I just sat on a bench, in the sun and soaked in a beautiful spring day together with our little boys. I am thankful for those moments we shared together. Please know that I will continue the fight (your words were so inspirational) and I will do it with an angel at my side.
May God's light shine upon all of you and give you comfort and peace as your journey continues.
Noreen
From all the family at Bernard, Cassisa, we pray for Sarah, Alan, the boys, Thomas and the entire family for strength and comfort. Sarah's dad Gene was one of my best friends and he loved his children so much. He would have been so sad but yet so proud of the dignity, grace and courage with which Sarah and Alan faced this challenge. It was much like Gene did with his own battle with cancer. I am sure he is waiting to welcome Sarah with open arms in heaven.
God bless you all and many prayers are being said here in Louisiana for all.
Jo Anne Martiny
Praying for a miracle still
Kasia (nov2000)
sending continued love, peace and comfort to all of you ... Ami, nov00
Sarah, Alan and boys,
Karen and I are thinking of all of you. Unlike Karen, I lack the expressions to convey how we both are feeling. What matters most is that Sarah has deeply touched Karen's life, since she first met back at Village. I've have also been touched by all of you guys and you are in my thoughts and prayers.
...Sean
Dear Ben, I'm sorry about your mom. Let me know if you need my help.
Your friend Rocco Ronzio
Dear Lopez family,
w
We are sending prayers your way.
We will miss your moms smile! Praying for you all.
Your friend Bella Ronzio
I don't believe we have ever met, and my youngest left Patton two years ago. I know Sarah from a friend, and have been thinking of your family. Your strength, love, and wisdom is inspiring. Please know that many, many of us have all of you in our thoughts and prayers. We wish you all peace...
Life is eternal, and love is immortal,
and death is only a horizon;
and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.
~Rossiter Worthington Raymond
Wishing you all a few more moments with her, peaceful and painfree.
Robin (Nov 00 Mom)
We are a Patton family. While I do not know you personally, I wanted to tell you our prayers for strength and peace are with your whole family.
Sincerely,
Paula, Jim, Kendall, Evan & Spencer Krueger
Out of Dark Comes Light
God,make me brave for life:
Oh, braver than this.
Let me straightens after rain.
Shinning and lovely again.
God, make me brave for life:
Much braver than this
As the blown grass lifts,
let me rise.
From sorrow with quiet eyes,
Knowing thy way is wise.
God, make me brave, life brings
such blinding things.
Help me to keep my sight
Help me to see alright
That out of Dark comes light.
You both have been so brave. This has been one tough fight. Its going to be hard to see the light from here on. But thats why we are all here for you Alan. May Sarah be in peace. And may you and the boys find the strength to get through this. You are so loved. Our thoughts are and always will be with you.
Love, Joe, Amy, Joseph and Maddie
Alan, you are an amazing person. Sarah and the boys are so fortunate to have you. I'm thinking of you all constantly. I am so sorry. Love, L
Alan,
Sarah and I have a few mutual friends from Village Preschool; you are in my prayers. Praying that God will give you all strength, peace and comfort. There is much to be hopeful for: Sarah will get to be with Him forever in heaven where there will be no more pain, sadness or discomfort. Praying that you will put all of your hope in Christ Jesus who has the power to give you His perfect peace.
Alan and family,
I stumbled upon your blog by chance and my heart goes out to you and your family. It sounds like Sarah has been so strong and amazing through such a devastating ordeal. I wish your family peace throughout this process. God bless your beautiful family.
Sheila
Alan, Ben, and Sam,
I have been friends with your wife/mom since preschool. I always have looked up to her and admired her quiet determination -- as a student, an athlete, and as a friend. We lost touch over the years, but when I moved to Chicago from New Orleans just over five years ago, she was one of the first people to reach out to me.
I am incredibly humbled by her grace and bravery. Additionally, I am equally moved by the support and love you all have given to her.
I'm visiting my family in North Carolina now, and as I was running in the pine-scented woods this morning, I stopped for a minute, alone in the complete peace and silence, and I thought of Sarah. I hope that she finds comfort and peace, and I know that she feels loved.
Karen (Witkin) Swidler
St. Martin's Class of 1989
Alan-
Sarah was my freshman at St Martin's, and that strength and determination you saw in her as an adult was there from an early age. I never saw someone fight for everything she wanted with such focused intensity as Sarah did, and sounds like teenage Sarah was the early version of what she grew into as an adult. She has a wonderful, kind strong soul.
I am so sorry to see you and your family go through this, and know that our love goes out to you all during this time.
Christine Herman
Alan, Can't keep you, Ben & Sam out of my mind and my heart. Wishing you all strength, courage & peace.
The Moran Petzold Family
Alan, my name is Natalie...Sarah and I share a couple of mutual friends(Karen & Holly). I was introduced to your family blog several years ago and I was fortunate enough to meet Sarah in person at the Fab 5K walk/run this last June. I'm grateful I got the chance to tell Sarah what a huge inspiration she was to me. And I wanted to personally thank you for creating the blog and allowing the world to take a closer look into all of your lives. Many of us know people who have fought cancer, but your blog really showed all of us what the day to day life was like, fighting this horrible disease. I truly admire you for the compassion and devotion you have shown towards Sarah and the boys. They are all so lucky to have you in their lives.
I can't even to begin to imagine the heavy heart you are all feeling right now....there simply are no words. But please be comforted in knowing that you and the boys are not alone. Your family, friends and community are standing right there beside you and always will be. God bless all of you.
-Natalie Bers & family
Dear Alan,
Your family has been in my thoughts and prayers endlessly. I am praying for strength for you and the boys and for a peaceful passage for Sarah.
We are here for you in any way that you need. Please do not hesitate to reach out.
Sally, Dave, Jake and Zach Lavin
Alan, Sarah, Ben, Sam...you are all in our thoughts and we are sending you all our love. May her passing be peaceful relief as she has been through enough.
Karen, Sean, Kyla, Nathan
Constantly praying for you and the boys. May Sarah have the peaceful passage she so deserves. I so love my CB. She will continually live in us through the memories and love we all shared. Alan, thanks for sharing all of this with us. GOD BLESS YOU and your family. Love you all, Susana.
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