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

Friday, January 4, 2008

The gift of friendship!


Here they are...the two buddies...friends through sickness and health for 30 years! How lucky we all would be, to call someone, "friend" for over 30 years! Annette has been staying with my mom all day at the hospital so they can talk, and enjoy every minute together. I know this has been a huge morale boost for my mom, and we are so grateful to Annette for this gift of time.


My mom has been busy each day with physical, occupational, and speech therapy. She is recovering well from her surgery and gaining strength each day in preparation for her radiation and chemotherapy treatments starting on Monday. There will be several adaptations necessary for her homecoming, and so we will be busy preparing for those needs. It is the doctor's hope, as well as hers and ours, that she will be as independent as possible when returning home to us this week. Due to the aggressive nature of this cancer, this will change over time, but we hope that we will have as many memories, and happy moments with "Grandma Lorraine" as we can in the coming weeks and months.


Thank you for all your kind words of encouragement. We will need them, and will draw strength from them in the coming months. Today we had a surprise on our doorstep from our new friend Susan, who prepared a delicious homemade sauce with all the fixings and sides!!! What a huge help that was Susan, and we are so grateful! Even though we are far away from our families, the kindness of so many new Coloradoan friends, is truly a gift of friendship. Thank you!
P.S. Lorri, the banana bread has provided us with 3 breakfasts on these harried mornings, and we are so thankful!
P.P.S. Thank you Annette for sewing my mom's pajama hems in the hospital today...what a whiz you are with both a needle and thread, and comfort too!


4 comments:

Kim said...

Thank you for the update, Denise! And I'm so glad Kyle is home safe! It's crazy out there! Yesterday it felt as though a hurricane had come to Redding! (I think one did!)
Love, Kim

Carlene said...

Hello All!
Kim is right, it has been crazy with winds and rain! Much of Red Bluff is and has been without power but all is being restored quickly. It is not too bad, but we are in an area with power! I do not want to "jinx" our luck!

Anyway Lorraine, if you would like someone to at least send you comforting photos of the house or check anything out let us know. We are happy to help and make sure you have zero worries on this end of the continent! Let me know because I am willing to rally a team to make sure you have no home worries!

I know it is not comfortable as they "map" you for radiation but as you begin treatment, think yourself into a positive zone of destroying the bad cells Lorraine.

I am not sure of your treatment plan but I have an amazing resource here when/if you need one!

We'll talk computer and support when you get here!
Love,
Carlene and family

Anonymous said...

Hi!
Just a quick note. We just got our power back on Hogsback today. It's been an experience with John's 90 year old father. Mr. Camper John hooked up the generator and we survived. Lorraine, I could even curl my hair! Annette knows me and the hair thing. Our prayers are with you all. Be safe Annette.
Love, Cathy Gumm

charrison said...

Denise and Lorraine-
Please know that my prayers are with you both as you deal with this cancer problem Lorraine. Denise, how good that you can be close to your mom during this time.
I appreciated so much working with you at Freddie and Crystals wedding.
Dealing with my husband's cancer, I know this is a hard time for the whole family. However, God is good and He is greater than cancer!
I was given a book when my husband was diagnosed last year with cancer "When God and Cancer Meet". I don't know much more than God is greater than the cancer. His faithfulness will be able to sustain you at this time.
Hugs to you both!

Cathey Harrison