One of the most wonderful memories I have of Mary Fran is her immaculately kept house. Her sense of beauty and order made me feel that all things were well in the world and all things were possible. I always felt inspired after visiting her to make my home as immaculate as hers. She made it seem like it was effortless and easy to have everything so clean and well-organized and made her home easy to be in.
Also her many interesting stories of working with the stewardess union inspired me to become a staunch union supporter, and I have never changed in that regard. Due to Mary Fran's influence and inspiration my first job out of college was a union representative for an office workers union in Boston. I enjoyed and never tired of her stories about her work with American Airlines, the famous, rich, and ordinary people she met, and her dedication to her work for justice, the very strong friendships she made and kept for many years with her coworkers, and the Kiwi organization. I was very proud of Mary Fran's achievements in American Airlines and whenever the time was appropriate I would proudly tell people that my step-mother was a stewardess for American Airlines and active in the union for many years.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
mom's funeral
we celebrated mom's life at saint sebastian church yesterday, may 4, 2007 at 11AM.
the program from the service is here:
the program from the service is here:
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
more of mom's pics
some more of my favorite pics of maryfran are below.
i'm trying to set up a link to a photo gallery, but that's sort of advanced for me.
t.
i'm trying to set up a link to a photo gallery, but that's sort of advanced for me.
t.
Mom's Autobiography: The Flight of Fifty Years
This is one of two brief essays Mary Fran wrote, apparently for a 50 Year class reunion at her High School -- Old Trail. The other essay is called ``Mom's Autobiography: My Life in a Nutshell." You can find the other briefer essay below here.
THE FLIGHT OF FIFTY YEARS Mary Frances Dannemiller Jarrold
When I think that fifty years has passed since graduating from Old Trail School, I am overwhelmed. Time has gone so quickly but filled with many happy memories. Life has been good to me. I am most appreciative of the varied experiences, opportunities, and many good times. I feel blessed and fortunate that fifty years has treated me generously and graciously.
From Old Trail School I went on to graduate from college - Akron University. After college I became a stewardess for American Airlines in August of 1952. I flew for twelve years and left the job after I fell in love with Jerome Thomas Jarrold and married in October of 1964. Those were the days when stewardesses had to quit when they married or turned 32 years of age. How times have changed! My days of flying where happy days. I traveled throughout the United States logging over one million miles as a stewardess. I enjoyed trips to Europe, the Middle East, Canada, Mexico and may other parts of the world. I started out flying the Convair 240 (2 engine airplane) and the DC6 (four engine airplane). I flew the inaugural flight on the DC7 in 1954 leaving John F. Kennedy Airport (in those days Idlewild Field) non-stop to Los Angeles. What exciting times - seeing the Atlantic Ocean on takeoff and nine hour later bathing your tired and sore feet in the Pacific Ocean. I can say I literally walked from New York to Los Angeles. Flying was fun in those days. You met many interesting people from celebrities to the plain and ordinary folks. In 1958 the 707 Boeing Jet joined American's fleet. What an airplane - coast to coast in six hours. An absolute wonder! However the advent of the jet change the life of a stewardess. You flew more trips, carried more passengers with many more elaborate services. In 1958 I became active in the Airline Steward and Stewardesses Association. I was an member of the American Airlines contract negotiating team negotiating a contract in 1960 and 1962. I was a permanent member of the American Airlines Stewardess System Board of Adjustment hearing stewardess grievance cases. What a broadening experience this was! In 1962 American Airlines Stewardesses testified in the United States Congress regarding the rule that stewardesses had to leave the job under contractual obligations at the age of 32 or when they married. I look back and realize that this was the advent of the women's lib movement. I feel proud to have been involved. It was scary - you were face to face with a lot of powerful men in times when women were to be seen and not heard. Influenced by our testimony Congress added to the pending Civil Rights Bill that discrimination because of age or marital status was unconstitutional, The passage of the Civil Rights Bill in 1966 ended these injustices.
After I married my husband and I moved to Connecticut. We built a house in 1968 in Easton, CT - a small rural community boarding Westport, Fairfield and Weston. We had there beautiful and natural acres. I became an avid gardener and spent many pleasurable hours in my garden Our son, William Lawrence was born in 1966 and my son, Thomas Edward was born in 1969. Our two boys were the source of our joy - always loving, good students, ambitious and responsible. They graduated high school from Fairfield Preparatory School in Fairfield, CT - a Jesuit school. Bill went on to MIT in Boston graduating in 1986 and Tom graduated from McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 1989. Presently Bill is working at CYC Corporation in Austin, Texas doing research in Artificial Intelligence and plugging away working on a doctorate degree. Tom is in the fast pace environment of advertising He just transferred from New York City to Los Angeles.
Besides raising my two boys, I was very active in my community in Easton. For two years I was president of the Parent/Teachers Association. I was involved in my Church, Note Dame of Easton and on the Parish Council. I held an office in the Easton Garden Club and ran several fund raising events. I became involved in a non-partisan group - Citizens for Easton - a watch dog group to protect an preserve the rural character of our wonderful town. Citizens for Easton was instrumental in adding acres of open space to our community; dedicated to preserving farm lands; initiating ordinances to protect Easton's natural beauty - particularly the stone walls from colonial days - so characteristic of Connecticut. I love Easton and it will always be a source joy, happiness and fond memories.
My husband was an ardent sailor We spent our summers sailing the Long Island Sound and the waters of Cape Cod. Those were happy and exciting days. Jerry made a sailor out of me and of course our two sons inherited his love of sailing. Jerry was a dedicated swimmer. He spent his youth swimming and took many trophies and awards during his high school days and college years. In 1980 he joined the Masters Swimmers Group, competing in swimming events throughout the United States He swam every day and was in top physical condition. In 1994 he was diagnosted with an incurable leucemia and passed away in six short months. This was a divesting blow to me and my boys. I miss him and feel a void in my life; however I have managed to keep busy and involved inmany activities.
In 1986 when my boys started college I returned to work, working for Country Living Real Estate in Westport, CT. I enjoy the real estate field and have continued working a couple days a week.
I sold my home in 1996 and moved on a temporary basis to a wonderful cottage at my cousin's home in Scarsdale, New York.
My cousin an I were close friends in childhood days so we have many happy times visiting together recalling memories of our childhood days. Time has come to make a move to a permanent residence. After much consideration I decided to move back to Akron where I have family and friends. I am about to close on a condominium at Georgetown. I am excited about my move back to my roots and reliving my second childhood.
Life has been busy, challenging and enjoyable. I feel truly blessed. I must add that my four years at Old Trail gave me a foundation and appreciation of learning. I am grateful of those high school years. I particularly remember Miss. Ruth Courtney who taught me three years of Latin. Miss. Courtney was a mentor to me, always supportive and interested in me. Miss. Ann Burroughs gave me a love of biology which became my major in college. All the teachers took special interest an I can say I got a good education at Old Trail.
I look forward to the Class Reunion and remembering those days that seem like yesterday. Fifty years have passed so swiftly. What happy days they were!
Sincerely,
Mary Frances Dannemiller Jarrold
THE FLIGHT OF FIFTY YEARS Mary Frances Dannemiller Jarrold
When I think that fifty years has passed since graduating from Old Trail School, I am overwhelmed. Time has gone so quickly but filled with many happy memories. Life has been good to me. I am most appreciative of the varied experiences, opportunities, and many good times. I feel blessed and fortunate that fifty years has treated me generously and graciously.
From Old Trail School I went on to graduate from college - Akron University. After college I became a stewardess for American Airlines in August of 1952. I flew for twelve years and left the job after I fell in love with Jerome Thomas Jarrold and married in October of 1964. Those were the days when stewardesses had to quit when they married or turned 32 years of age. How times have changed! My days of flying where happy days. I traveled throughout the United States logging over one million miles as a stewardess. I enjoyed trips to Europe, the Middle East, Canada, Mexico and may other parts of the world. I started out flying the Convair 240 (2 engine airplane) and the DC6 (four engine airplane). I flew the inaugural flight on the DC7 in 1954 leaving John F. Kennedy Airport (in those days Idlewild Field) non-stop to Los Angeles. What exciting times - seeing the Atlantic Ocean on takeoff and nine hour later bathing your tired and sore feet in the Pacific Ocean. I can say I literally walked from New York to Los Angeles. Flying was fun in those days. You met many interesting people from celebrities to the plain and ordinary folks. In 1958 the 707 Boeing Jet joined American's fleet. What an airplane - coast to coast in six hours. An absolute wonder! However the advent of the jet change the life of a stewardess. You flew more trips, carried more passengers with many more elaborate services. In 1958 I became active in the Airline Steward and Stewardesses Association. I was an member of the American Airlines contract negotiating team negotiating a contract in 1960 and 1962. I was a permanent member of the American Airlines Stewardess System Board of Adjustment hearing stewardess grievance cases. What a broadening experience this was! In 1962 American Airlines Stewardesses testified in the United States Congress regarding the rule that stewardesses had to leave the job under contractual obligations at the age of 32 or when they married. I look back and realize that this was the advent of the women's lib movement. I feel proud to have been involved. It was scary - you were face to face with a lot of powerful men in times when women were to be seen and not heard. Influenced by our testimony Congress added to the pending Civil Rights Bill that discrimination because of age or marital status was unconstitutional, The passage of the Civil Rights Bill in 1966 ended these injustices.
After I married my husband and I moved to Connecticut. We built a house in 1968 in Easton, CT - a small rural community boarding Westport, Fairfield and Weston. We had there beautiful and natural acres. I became an avid gardener and spent many pleasurable hours in my garden Our son, William Lawrence was born in 1966 and my son, Thomas Edward was born in 1969. Our two boys were the source of our joy - always loving, good students, ambitious and responsible. They graduated high school from Fairfield Preparatory School in Fairfield, CT - a Jesuit school. Bill went on to MIT in Boston graduating in 1986 and Tom graduated from McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 1989. Presently Bill is working at CYC Corporation in Austin, Texas doing research in Artificial Intelligence and plugging away working on a doctorate degree. Tom is in the fast pace environment of advertising He just transferred from New York City to Los Angeles.
Besides raising my two boys, I was very active in my community in Easton. For two years I was president of the Parent/Teachers Association. I was involved in my Church, Note Dame of Easton and on the Parish Council. I held an office in the Easton Garden Club and ran several fund raising events. I became involved in a non-partisan group - Citizens for Easton - a watch dog group to protect an preserve the rural character of our wonderful town. Citizens for Easton was instrumental in adding acres of open space to our community; dedicated to preserving farm lands; initiating ordinances to protect Easton's natural beauty - particularly the stone walls from colonial days - so characteristic of Connecticut. I love Easton and it will always be a source joy, happiness and fond memories.
My husband was an ardent sailor We spent our summers sailing the Long Island Sound and the waters of Cape Cod. Those were happy and exciting days. Jerry made a sailor out of me and of course our two sons inherited his love of sailing. Jerry was a dedicated swimmer. He spent his youth swimming and took many trophies and awards during his high school days and college years. In 1980 he joined the Masters Swimmers Group, competing in swimming events throughout the United States He swam every day and was in top physical condition. In 1994 he was diagnosted with an incurable leucemia and passed away in six short months. This was a divesting blow to me and my boys. I miss him and feel a void in my life; however I have managed to keep busy and involved inmany activities.
In 1986 when my boys started college I returned to work, working for Country Living Real Estate in Westport, CT. I enjoy the real estate field and have continued working a couple days a week.
I sold my home in 1996 and moved on a temporary basis to a wonderful cottage at my cousin's home in Scarsdale, New York.
My cousin an I were close friends in childhood days so we have many happy times visiting together recalling memories of our childhood days. Time has come to make a move to a permanent residence. After much consideration I decided to move back to Akron where I have family and friends. I am about to close on a condominium at Georgetown. I am excited about my move back to my roots and reliving my second childhood.
Life has been busy, challenging and enjoyable. I feel truly blessed. I must add that my four years at Old Trail gave me a foundation and appreciation of learning. I am grateful of those high school years. I particularly remember Miss. Ruth Courtney who taught me three years of Latin. Miss. Courtney was a mentor to me, always supportive and interested in me. Miss. Ann Burroughs gave me a love of biology which became my major in college. All the teachers took special interest an I can say I got a good education at Old Trail.
I look forward to the Class Reunion and remembering those days that seem like yesterday. Fifty years have passed so swiftly. What happy days they were!
Sincerely,
Mary Frances Dannemiller Jarrold
Mom's Autobiography: My Life in A Nutshell
This is one of two brief essays Mary Fran wrote, apparently for a 50 Year class reunion at her High School -- Old Trail. The other essay is called ``Mom's Autobiography: The Flight of Fifty Years."
MY LIFE IN A NUTSHELL
Mary Frances Dannemiller Jarrold
Graduated Old Trail School - 1948
Graduated College, Akron University - 1952
Became an American Airlines Stewardess in August of 1952, logging over one million miles in my twelve years as a stewardess. I traveled throughout the world during these twelve wonderful years.
Fell in love and married Jerome Thomas Jarrold in 1964. Our first son, William Lawrence was born in 1966 and our second son, Thomas Edward was born in 1969.
We built a home in Easton, Connecticut in 1969. My married years I spent happily as a typical housewife enjoying my home and becoming an ardent gardener. I was active in my community and served on various town boards.
While my children were in college, I returned to work in the Real Estate field in Westport, CT which I have continued until today.
In 1994 my husband passed away after a brief illness This was devastating to me and my boys. However I have remained active and involved to cope with my loss.
Sold my home in Easton in 1996 and moved to Scarsdale, New York.
Just recently I purchased a condominium in Akron. I look forward to returning to my roots and ready to enjoy my "second childhood".
These past fifty year have been good to me. I am grateful for the many opportunities and experiences life has given to me. It seems like yesterday that I graduated from Old Trail.
Time flies!
MY LIFE IN A NUTSHELL
Mary Frances Dannemiller Jarrold
Graduated Old Trail School - 1948
Graduated College, Akron University - 1952
Became an American Airlines Stewardess in August of 1952, logging over one million miles in my twelve years as a stewardess. I traveled throughout the world during these twelve wonderful years.
Fell in love and married Jerome Thomas Jarrold in 1964. Our first son, William Lawrence was born in 1966 and our second son, Thomas Edward was born in 1969.
We built a home in Easton, Connecticut in 1969. My married years I spent happily as a typical housewife enjoying my home and becoming an ardent gardener. I was active in my community and served on various town boards.
While my children were in college, I returned to work in the Real Estate field in Westport, CT which I have continued until today.
In 1994 my husband passed away after a brief illness This was devastating to me and my boys. However I have remained active and involved to cope with my loss.
Sold my home in Easton in 1996 and moved to Scarsdale, New York.
Just recently I purchased a condominium in Akron. I look forward to returning to my roots and ready to enjoy my "second childhood".
These past fifty year have been good to me. I am grateful for the many opportunities and experiences life has given to me. It seems like yesterday that I graduated from Old Trail.
Time flies!
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
mom and evelyn
tom dannemiller, jr sent in this photo of his mom, evelyn, with maryfran. evy and maryfran were great friends - she was one of the main reasons my mom chose to move back to akron. mom always called evy a saint. they spent a lot of time together until evelyn's death in 2004, and i know my mom missed her terribly after her death.
just yesterday, i learned that my mom picked out evelyn's wedding ring for her brother tom in new york city. that made me smile.
tom.
maryfran's obituary
Mary Frances Dannemiller Jarrold
Mary Frances died Saturday, April 28, 2007 after a long struggle with emphysema. She was born in Akron, Ohio on January 17, 1929. After attending Saint Sebastian School, she graduated from Old Trail High School in 1948. She attended the College of Saint Elizabeth in New Jersey and graduated from the University of Akron in 1952, where she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.
Mary Frances spent the next 12 years as a stewardess flying for American Airlines and logged over one million miles. While living in New York City, she was a permanent member of the American Airlines Stewardess System Board of Adjustment, hearing stewardess grievance cases. This included time in 1962 when the stewardesses testified before the United States Congress regarding a pre-civil rights era contract rule requiring stewardesses to leave their jobs when they reached the age of 32 or became married. Her career spanned the transition between piston/propeller aircraft (Convair 240, DC-6, DC-7) and commercial jet aircraft (Boeing 707). After retiring, Mary Frances was a member of the American Airlines Kiwi Club, serving as vice president.
She married Jerome Thomas Jarrold in 1964 and lived in Easton, Connecticut until 1996. Following her husband’s death, she lived with family in Scarsdale, New York and returned to her Akron roots in 1998.
Mary Frances served as president of Citizens for Easton , the Easton Garden Club, the Parent Teacher Organization, and was active on the Parish Council for Notre Dame of Easton Church. In Akron, she was a member of the Saint Thomas Hospital Womens’ Board and Saint Sebastian Church.
She was an avid gardener, floral designer, tennis player, figure skater and sailor. She loved to sew and made many of her stylish clothes.
She is predeceased by her parents, Lawrence M. and Frances C.; her husband Jerome; two brothers, William J. and Frederick F.; step-son Steven Jarrold; and nephew, Joel Dannemiller. She is survived by two sons, William Lawrence of San Francisco, Thomas Edward of New York City; two step-daughters, Nancy Jarrold of San Francisco, and Wendy Robinson of Wallingford, Connecticut; three brothers, J. Lawrence of Grand Haven, Michigan, Thomas E., Sr. of Akron, and Edward P. of La Quinta, California; one sister, Dorothy D. Rogers of Santa Fe, New Mexico; three step-grandchildren; twenty-two nieces and nephews, and twenty-nine grandnieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be held at Saint Sebastian Church on Friday, May 4, 2007 at 11 o’clock, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetary.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of the Akron General Medical Center.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association, 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006; Hospice of VNS, 3358 Ridgewood Road, Akron, OH 44333; or Saint Sebastian Church, 476 Mull Avenue, Akron, OH 44320.
You can read more about Mary Fran’s life at maryfrancesjarrold.blogspot.com.
Monday, April 30, 2007
in lieu of flowers...
in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
https://www.kintera.org/site/apps/ka/mt/createCard.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=40733&en=guIPK1MKLjIUI2ORLeKSJ8NSLmLTK5POJjJ0KlP6E
or go to www.lungusa.org and click on "make a donation" and enter "Mary Frances Jarrold"
or call 212-315-8737 and speak with amina.
please make donations under the name of "mary frances jarrold"
HOSPICE VNS
3358 ridgewood road
akron, OH 44333
SAINT SEBASTIAN CHURCH
476 mull ave
akron, OH 44320
330-836-2233
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
https://www.kintera.org/site/apps/ka/mt/createCard.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=40733&en=guIPK1MKLjIUI2ORLeKSJ8NSLmLTK5POJjJ0KlP6E
or go to www.lungusa.org and click on "make a donation" and enter "Mary Frances Jarrold"
or call 212-315-8737 and speak with amina.
please make donations under the name of "mary frances jarrold"
HOSPICE VNS
3358 ridgewood road
akron, OH 44333
SAINT SEBASTIAN CHURCH
476 mull ave
akron, OH 44320
330-836-2233
some of my favorite pictures
maryfran never took a bad picture. here are some of my favorites.
more pictures will follow.
tom.
one of the many conversations i had with my mom
my brother and i were fortunate enough to have spent lots of time with my mom over the past months and years. earlier in 2007, i had many very difficult but wonderful conversations with her. one that makes us all feel better happened late one evening after a late dinner. mom was quite the night owl - always staying up until the wee hours chatting the night away. it was the night i brought mom home from her first visit to the hospital in early april 2007. we stayed up talking until 3 am believe it or not.
i talked about how much i was going to miss her, she held my hand and said "you don't have to cry." she teared up herself and said she would would miss us all, especially bill and me, but that she would be happy to see all the people she hasn't seen in a while. she lit up and mentioned seeing evelyn, her sister-in-law and one of her dearest friends. evelyn was perhaps closest to her in her final years. she mentioned seeing her brother bill, brother fred, her mom and dad, "daddy" (she called our father "daddy"), molly and margo (our dogs when in connecticut). she said she'd probably stick her tongue out at daddy, but then softened, saying it would be great to see him again.
i hope she's up there now having a great time with them all. and one day perhaps we will be seeing her again.
tom.
i talked about how much i was going to miss her, she held my hand and said "you don't have to cry." she teared up herself and said she would would miss us all, especially bill and me, but that she would be happy to see all the people she hasn't seen in a while. she lit up and mentioned seeing evelyn, her sister-in-law and one of her dearest friends. evelyn was perhaps closest to her in her final years. she mentioned seeing her brother bill, brother fred, her mom and dad, "daddy" (she called our father "daddy"), molly and margo (our dogs when in connecticut). she said she'd probably stick her tongue out at daddy, but then softened, saying it would be great to see him again.
i hope she's up there now having a great time with them all. and one day perhaps we will be seeing her again.
tom.
memorial for maryfran
a memorial service for maryfran will be held on friday, may 4 at 11AM at the saint sebastian church at 476 mull avenue in akron, ohio.
burial will follow immediately at the holy cross cemetary, 100 east waterloo road, akron, OH 44319.
thank you.
burial will follow immediately at the holy cross cemetary, 100 east waterloo road, akron, OH 44319.
thank you.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
january 17, 1929 - april 28, 2007
mom died early saturday morning at 1:25AM at akron general. my brother bill and i were at her side until the end. i was holding her hand and talking to her. her death was peaceful. her breathing gradually slowed and became inconsistent. her struggling subsided.
earlier that day (friday), her breathing was getting progressively harder and harder. she woke friday morning and we talked a bit. she ate a little food and tired quickly. she was slightly responsive at times. her breathing more and more difficult.
aunt dorothy flew in and made it to see her by about 4pm. mom was only slightly responsive by the time dorothy arrived, but i know mom could hear her and feel that she was there. mom opened her eyes when dorothy arrived. she knew she was there. francie, marguerite, and rose all stopped by during the day, too.
while this has been an exrutiatingly difficult experience, we're all happy that maryfran died a happy and content woman, with her family close to her.
i want to thank everyone that's been around here for maryfran and bill and me. we want to particularly thank the nursing staff at akron general for the compassion and care they gave my mom during her final hours, and we want to thank aunt dorothy for rushing to akron to see my mom before she died. she has truly been a great support.
tom.
Friday, April 27, 2007
friday morning
bill and i slept with mom at the hospital last night. she slept soundly. it seems we all woke up at the same time at 8AM. she was hungry, so i ordered her a little breakfast. she ate a little, and we had a nice chat. i told her aunt dorothy was flying up for a visit this afternoon and she smiled. she actually made a couple jokes.
she was pretty coherent, and i think she understands what's happening with her. she understands and reconfirmed her wishes to pass peacefully.
again, thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. both bill and i are truly great for the loving support we feel from our family.
tom.
she was pretty coherent, and i think she understands what's happening with her. she understands and reconfirmed her wishes to pass peacefully.
again, thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. both bill and i are truly great for the loving support we feel from our family.
tom.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
akron general, room 5424
so mom has been moved to one of the main floors of the hospital - a nice, private room at akron general #5424.
i received a call this morning from the ICU doctor saying her condition had worstened. while she's off the respirator, her breathing has been very difficult. while steroids and inhalants and antibiotics and all can help, the doctor said the problem is more with her ventilation - the ability to expel carbon dioxide - something that is not a good sign.
she has been very clear with bill and me about what sort of measures she wants to undertake for her health. she retiterated a few times today to doctor kakarala that she does not want any extraneous means to keep her alive. the first thing she said when i saw her yesterday was that she really didn't like all these tubes and needles and everything. so she's resting comfortably, taking morphine for pain and atavan for anxiety. while this is extraordinarliy difficult as you might imagine, we know that this is what she wants.
when she came to this morning, bill and i asked her if she wanted some visitors and she nodded yes. so we made a few calls and before you know it, billy dannemiller, noel and beth, gibby, and uncle tom all stopped by. she really rallied and was quite coherent and talkative. father karg stopped by and said some prayers. a chaplain from the hospital gave her holy communion. mom chatted with dorothy and ed senior on the phone. unlce eddie had her laughing. joanne and i think denise, who are visitin ed in the desert. larry and maggie are back in michigan, and they called in to chat as well. lisa stopped by this evening for a visit, and bill and i have fielded lots of calls from all of you and passed on your thoughts and prayers.
it's almost 9pm and bill and i are here with mom. she's resting peacefully, sleeping a bit, waking a bit to chat. she wanted a hot dog with ketchup and mustard, so i ran out to swensens and picked her one up. she ate a few bites and enjoyed it very much.
she's actually on the phone now with katie remembering all the fun and stories.
thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. i know my mom has been happy to hear about all of you.
with love.
tom.
i received a call this morning from the ICU doctor saying her condition had worstened. while she's off the respirator, her breathing has been very difficult. while steroids and inhalants and antibiotics and all can help, the doctor said the problem is more with her ventilation - the ability to expel carbon dioxide - something that is not a good sign.
she has been very clear with bill and me about what sort of measures she wants to undertake for her health. she retiterated a few times today to doctor kakarala that she does not want any extraneous means to keep her alive. the first thing she said when i saw her yesterday was that she really didn't like all these tubes and needles and everything. so she's resting comfortably, taking morphine for pain and atavan for anxiety. while this is extraordinarliy difficult as you might imagine, we know that this is what she wants.
when she came to this morning, bill and i asked her if she wanted some visitors and she nodded yes. so we made a few calls and before you know it, billy dannemiller, noel and beth, gibby, and uncle tom all stopped by. she really rallied and was quite coherent and talkative. father karg stopped by and said some prayers. a chaplain from the hospital gave her holy communion. mom chatted with dorothy and ed senior on the phone. unlce eddie had her laughing. joanne and i think denise, who are visitin ed in the desert. larry and maggie are back in michigan, and they called in to chat as well. lisa stopped by this evening for a visit, and bill and i have fielded lots of calls from all of you and passed on your thoughts and prayers.
it's almost 9pm and bill and i are here with mom. she's resting peacefully, sleeping a bit, waking a bit to chat. she wanted a hot dog with ketchup and mustard, so i ran out to swensens and picked her one up. she ate a few bites and enjoyed it very much.
she's actually on the phone now with katie remembering all the fun and stories.
thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. i know my mom has been happy to hear about all of you.
with love.
tom.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
maryfran's doing better
brother bill, uncle larry and aunt maggie spent much of the day at the hospital today. good news is that she's been taken off the respirator, and is breathing (with oxygen) ok. she still is in the ICU, but her pneumonia seems to be subsiding.
i flew out this afternoon and spent the evening with her. one good sign about her is that, again, she was very chatty. we talked about lots of things. she was still pretty weak, but she ate some liquid food. compared to what i hear about how she looked tuesday, she's doing quite well.
we're hoping tomorrow she will move to a regular floor of the hospital. whether she will become well enough to come home (with care) is still up in the air.
thanks for all your thoughts and prayers and calls and all.
feel free to post a comment. we'll read them to her. it's easy to do - just click on the word "comments" and you can easily post.
more later.
tom.
i flew out this afternoon and spent the evening with her. one good sign about her is that, again, she was very chatty. we talked about lots of things. she was still pretty weak, but she ate some liquid food. compared to what i hear about how she looked tuesday, she's doing quite well.
we're hoping tomorrow she will move to a regular floor of the hospital. whether she will become well enough to come home (with care) is still up in the air.
thanks for all your thoughts and prayers and calls and all.
feel free to post a comment. we'll read them to her. it's easy to do - just click on the word "comments" and you can easily post.
more later.
tom.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
in the hospital
unfortunately, mom was checked into the hospital yesterday afternoon. my brother is with her now. she had lots of trouble breathing over the weekend and was quite weak, so she and bill decided it would be best for her to check in. she is currently in the ICU, and, unfortunately, in worse shape when i saw her last. she has pneumonia, is on a ventilator, and is pretty heavily sedated. my brother bill is at the hospital with her now. they say that her condition is critical, yet stable, and that she is slowly improving. she willl likely be in the ICU for a number of days and will be in the hospital longer than that.
larry and maggie are stopping by on their way back to michigan and will pay a visit. i know my mom will enjoy this. cousin bill dannemiller stopped by as well i think.
i'll be back to update this as i receive more information.
tom.
larry and maggie are stopping by on their way back to michigan and will pay a visit. i know my mom will enjoy this. cousin bill dannemiller stopped by as well i think.
i'll be back to update this as i receive more information.
tom.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
maryfran's at home
i've created this blog to help inform you all about my mom's health.
as you may know, mom was in the hospital for three nights, april 2 - 5. she had lots of trouble breathing, so she was checked into the hospital. she's comfortable and resting at home now. she's chatty as ever and in good spirits, but her condition is quite serious, as she's got two pretty serious problems - chronic emphysema and congestive heart failure. her emphysema is making the lungs inefficient - they don't get enough blood into the bloodstream. and her heart is not really strong. the left side (the side that pumps the freshly oxygenated blood into the body) has a leak in it. technically, it's a leak in the mitrol valve. 30-50% of the blood that is suppossed to get out into the body gets pushed back into the heart. so, poorly oxygenated blood comes from the lungs and then a lot of that poorly oxygenated blood doesn't make it out to mom's body, so her body does not get the nourishment in oxygen that it needs. the heart condition is called congestive heart failure. her mom had it in her late 70's. her dad had emphysema. surgery is not an option at this stage with her age and emphysema.
i've been out her since wednesday and we've been looking into increasing home care and making it easier and more comfortable for mom to live here. like i said, she's in good spirits and talks a lot, inbetween her rests. she's always been good at telling a story. that certainly hasn't changed.
feel free to post anything on here. we'll read it to her.
with love.
tom.
as you may know, mom was in the hospital for three nights, april 2 - 5. she had lots of trouble breathing, so she was checked into the hospital. she's comfortable and resting at home now. she's chatty as ever and in good spirits, but her condition is quite serious, as she's got two pretty serious problems - chronic emphysema and congestive heart failure. her emphysema is making the lungs inefficient - they don't get enough blood into the bloodstream. and her heart is not really strong. the left side (the side that pumps the freshly oxygenated blood into the body) has a leak in it. technically, it's a leak in the mitrol valve. 30-50% of the blood that is suppossed to get out into the body gets pushed back into the heart. so, poorly oxygenated blood comes from the lungs and then a lot of that poorly oxygenated blood doesn't make it out to mom's body, so her body does not get the nourishment in oxygen that it needs. the heart condition is called congestive heart failure. her mom had it in her late 70's. her dad had emphysema. surgery is not an option at this stage with her age and emphysema.
i've been out her since wednesday and we've been looking into increasing home care and making it easier and more comfortable for mom to live here. like i said, she's in good spirits and talks a lot, inbetween her rests. she's always been good at telling a story. that certainly hasn't changed.
feel free to post anything on here. we'll read it to her.
with love.
tom.
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