The Kofford Family relocates to Colorado after 40 years as Californians. In December of 2007, Grandma Lorraine is diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer. Sadly, she passed away on Dec. 26th, 2008 after a year long courageous battle. Follow our journey as we keep Lorraine's memory alive, and as we learn to appreciate that each day we are given, is a gift to be enjoyed!

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
~Maria Robertson

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

First fall of the season...

The first victim of ice and cold...the first fall of the season...the first "splat" on the driveway belongs to....Denise! Poor Ashlyn watched as Mommy's feet came out from under her and "splat" went the mail, and her knees! I have been trying so hard to be careful walking in the areas where the snow has turned to ice, but today I was distracted, and my knees and chin took the worst of it on our icy gravel driveway. I'm just thankful it was me, and NOT my mom!

Annette came with us to the hospital this morning to visit my mom, and listen in on the appointment in the, "Hope Cancer Care Center." My mom had a mask made of her face, so they can position her in the correct position for her radiation treatments starting next week. She will have the radiation treatments daily, (keep your fingers crossed neither one of us has a spill in the icy parking lot!) and daily chemo treatments also starting on Jan. 7th.

Annette has stayed all day at the hospital with my mom, chit chatting and having some girl time! She is not ready to leave, but after a 12 hour visit, I will need to talk her into coming home! Annette's time with my mom, allowed Ashlyn and I to have a little, "Mother/Daughter" time together. We girls were on our own as Tom is back at work today, and Kyle is in California! He was so looking forward to his friend Parick's visit from CA this week, but with all the latest developments we needed to cancel that plan. Patrick's parents, and his good friend Tom's parents, all graciously agreed to have Kyle fly to CA instead! He is having a grand time, and we are so happy for him, as he has missed all his buddies from back home in Dublin.

Your blog comments, calls, e-mails, (and great care packages Lorri and Betty!) have brought my mom, and our entire family such comfort. We are blessed to have so many friends and family support us during this journey. Although many of you are long distance, your support and encouragement both in CO and CA, mean the world to us! Thank you!!!!!

5 comments:

Kim said...

Dear Denise, Lorraine & Annette- the Three Musketeers!
Lorraine, my first thought when I looked at the pictures was also how wonderful you look! GREAT!!! I am so happy Annette is there with all of you- she truly is an angel! It's funny- when you were speaking of your wedding day, it brought back the memory of when she was working in the back of the church and she was there to tell me when it was time to "go" - that is, when the moment came for me to start walking down the aisle. A nice memory. Thank you twenty years later, Annette! (smile)
Denise, a HUGE thank you for your constant updates and pictures for all of us to stay in touch with all of you. Your energy is incredible. My mom and I were just talking about it a moment ago. She really appreciates it, too.
I am so sorry about your nasty fall! I can really sympathize with those icy streets and parking lots. I know what it's like! The legs shoot out from under and boom! (But even the natives do it, ha ha!)
Lorraine, keep a watch out for Denise's mail- I sent you off a little card tonight. I am thinking of you everyday. You just come home soon and I will bring lunch over for both of us instead of going out. Does that sound like a plan? You're in my heart.
Hugs across the miles.
Love,
Kim

Anonymous said...

Denise thank you for the detailed updates - though tough to read I appreciate knowing how things are going. The contagious, upbeat, optomistic attitude that you and your mom share shows through in your blogs even in this sad time. Please tell Lorraine how much she is in my thoughts. She has been an inspiration to me in so many ways since the day we met. I hope to see her in February when she returns to Red Bluff. Please give her a hug and send her my love.

I wish you both much strength and happiness in the days to come,
Monique

Anonymous said...

Howdy from the Bluff! Sorry to hear about the flop in the ice:) Just wanted to say hi and tell everyone that they are in our thoughts and prayers...Love you guys!!

Anonymous said...

Dear Lorraine and Denise,
Wow Lorraine, you look great and your smile is so contagious! My prayers are with you. Justin has been helping me with all this computer stuff, as you know I'm not computer literate. Denise you have done a wonderful job keeping all of us informed on your mother. Thank you! Lorraine at least it is beautiful in Colorado, the weather here is supposed to get windy and rainy and the snow looks like more fun to Justin and I. We love you and are looking forward to seeing you soon! Denise if there is anything you need please don't hesitate to ask.
Darlene, Justin, and John

Unknown said...

Denise,
So sorry to hear about your spill! This blog is such a fantastic way to keep everyone posted on your family. I don't know how you find the time and energy, but please know you set the bar very high for us mothers (and daughters!). My prayers are with you and we all send our love from Dublin (special love comes from the RLP crew ;-).
Take care,
Bridgette