Hi all-
Poppen house has asked that I instruct everyone on visiting Bruce. With a brain tumor, it's is very difficult to hear noises and conversation. They are asking that visitors sit quietly with him. We finished our visit with him eating a root beer float! He is asleep.
Love to All!
Dan, Connie and the kids!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Update
Hi all-
Spoke with the doctor today. Bruce has some significant distention in his abdomen. The doctor is unsure of the cause, but thinks it possibly is a result of the medications he has been or possibly a bowel obstruction. Per Bruce's wishes, we will not be treating this recent development, rather ensuring that he is pain free for the limited time he is with us. They have placed him on methadone and morphine to ensure that he is comfortable at all times.
They have also updated his status to critical, meaning time is of the essence. We don't have much of it left.
Prayers for Bruce and our family as we continue to go through this experience. If you were planning to visit, please do so soon.
Our family can't thank each and everyone of you enough. We are holding up, it's a long goodbye at this point. Thanks again for all of your support. We will continue to update the blog as we get more information or as Bruce's status changes.
Connie
Spoke with the doctor today. Bruce has some significant distention in his abdomen. The doctor is unsure of the cause, but thinks it possibly is a result of the medications he has been or possibly a bowel obstruction. Per Bruce's wishes, we will not be treating this recent development, rather ensuring that he is pain free for the limited time he is with us. They have placed him on methadone and morphine to ensure that he is comfortable at all times.
They have also updated his status to critical, meaning time is of the essence. We don't have much of it left.
Prayers for Bruce and our family as we continue to go through this experience. If you were planning to visit, please do so soon.
Our family can't thank each and everyone of you enough. We are holding up, it's a long goodbye at this point. Thanks again for all of your support. We will continue to update the blog as we get more information or as Bruce's status changes.
Connie
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Dinner with the Bru-Man
Dan and I came up for dinner tonight. We are here almost everyday. It's very difficult to say a long goodbye. Each day that passes seems to be just a bit less than the day before. I find joy in being able to feed him his dinner and just sit peacefully in his room without disturbance. I was taken aback when I realized he wasn't feeding himself anymore. Yesterday he did great. It may just be a fleeting change, maybe he is just really tired.
It is becoming harder and harder to wake him up when he is asleep. His swelling is more significant, he very rarely leaves his hospital bed. He really isn't very mobile anymore either. He hasn't said a word today either. Lately he has shared a few words, but this evening is much different. I guess I am just a bit shocked at how different things are since my visit yesterday.
I can tell all of you that he seems very peaceful in his sleep and without pain that we are aware of. I guess that is something we should be very thankful for. We have had a lot of visitors over the course of the last week and a half, a steady stream to keep him company. That provides me some comfort.
My heart hurts for him and the situation we find ourself in. I do wish I could take it all away. I am very thankful for all that Bruce is to me! For all he is to my family.
I can tell you that I was not a fan upon first meeting him! Sharing my Mom was not an option:) being 6 years old and all, I wasn't willing to share my life with an ice cream stealing dog and strange man! Canuck- Bruce's yellow lab stole my ice cream cone the first time I went to his house. She became my best friend and Bruce became a great role model and mentor! I tell my girls often that blood means nothing, you surround yourself with people who love you. I was surrounded by wonderful people who loved me and Bruce holds a very special place in my heart. He is an incredible influence in my life, my kids lives and my new family's life. For that, I am eternally grateful and thankful! I miss him already and he is right here in the room.
Please come spend some time in the coming week! He always smiles at you when you walk in the room!
Connie
It is becoming harder and harder to wake him up when he is asleep. His swelling is more significant, he very rarely leaves his hospital bed. He really isn't very mobile anymore either. He hasn't said a word today either. Lately he has shared a few words, but this evening is much different. I guess I am just a bit shocked at how different things are since my visit yesterday.
I can tell all of you that he seems very peaceful in his sleep and without pain that we are aware of. I guess that is something we should be very thankful for. We have had a lot of visitors over the course of the last week and a half, a steady stream to keep him company. That provides me some comfort.
My heart hurts for him and the situation we find ourself in. I do wish I could take it all away. I am very thankful for all that Bruce is to me! For all he is to my family.
I can tell you that I was not a fan upon first meeting him! Sharing my Mom was not an option:) being 6 years old and all, I wasn't willing to share my life with an ice cream stealing dog and strange man! Canuck- Bruce's yellow lab stole my ice cream cone the first time I went to his house. She became my best friend and Bruce became a great role model and mentor! I tell my girls often that blood means nothing, you surround yourself with people who love you. I was surrounded by wonderful people who loved me and Bruce holds a very special place in my heart. He is an incredible influence in my life, my kids lives and my new family's life. For that, I am eternally grateful and thankful! I miss him already and he is right here in the room.
Please come spend some time in the coming week! He always smiles at you when you walk in the room!
Connie
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
4th of July
Hope everyone is enjoying the 4th today. We will be. We are bringing Bruce home for the day. He has expressed that he wants to get to the end of the dock today and we will do our very best to achieve that. I have the boys here to help me accomplish that. POSSIBLY even take a boat ride on our neighbors' pontoon boat as well!! Ended up bring the cat home because T.C. kept trying to escape and the staff had to put up 2 pet gates to keep him in, which resulted in too much noise for Bruce when he was trying to rest or sleep in his unit. At least we tried :) Bruce is still adjusting to his surroundings at Poppen House but says he is happy there so that's a great thing!!
It's a hot one today and will do our utmost to make it a fabulous day for Bruce!! Will post pics later for everyone to see. - Val
It's a hot one today and will do our utmost to make it a fabulous day for Bruce!! Will post pics later for everyone to see. - Val
Monday, July 2, 2012
Good Visit Today
Hi all- we visited Bruce this morning. He seems to be adjusting well. It is quiet and peaceful at the facility and he seems comfortable. We did bring in some pictures this morning, but the room could use some warm friendly smiles! TC seems to be enjoying all of his attention from visitors and staff. Last I knew Bruce was watching the tigers game.
Thanks to all that have sent notes and thoughts of encouragement. It's has been a trying couple of days for everyone.
Connie
Thanks to all that have sent notes and thoughts of encouragement. It's has been a trying couple of days for everyone.
Connie
Hi everyone, just wanted to let you know that we have a journal in Bruce's room if you would like to share your visit with the family or special memories.
Connie & the kid's visited earlier this morning and Val is with him now.
It seems that Bruce likes to be read to at this time. Val has left a book there if any of you wish to read a few pages to him. His eye sight has become blurry this past week or 10 days.
He is allowed to have baked goods or anything else brought in except alcohol products and they ask that no holes be made in the walls for pictures. If anyone has an updated photo of Val or Connie, could you please bring it in for Bruce to have there please? Jot your name on the back so we can get it returned to you. As a matter of fact, if you have any photo's you would like to share, I will pick up a cork board & tacks to display them, please jot your name on the back of it :) and I'll be sure to get them returned to you. Thanks, Di
Connie & the kid's visited earlier this morning and Val is with him now.
It seems that Bruce likes to be read to at this time. Val has left a book there if any of you wish to read a few pages to him. His eye sight has become blurry this past week or 10 days.
He is allowed to have baked goods or anything else brought in except alcohol products and they ask that no holes be made in the walls for pictures. If anyone has an updated photo of Val or Connie, could you please bring it in for Bruce to have there please? Jot your name on the back so we can get it returned to you. As a matter of fact, if you have any photo's you would like to share, I will pick up a cork board & tacks to display them, please jot your name on the back of it :) and I'll be sure to get them returned to you. Thanks, Di
Sunday, July 1, 2012
It is with great sadness that Bruce was transferred to the Harbor Hospice, Poppen Residence in Muskegon earlier this afternoon. The facilty is located at 2065 E. Mt. Garfield Rd., Muskegon, Mi., 49444. Mt Garfield Rd. runs along the south side of The Lakes Mall, approx. 1/2 mile down on the right. Visiting hours are open and he is in Rm. South 5.
As Val said in the post earlier this week, he is still up to visitor's and welcomes all. Although he may not talk much.
He was resting comfortably when I left, he stayed up late to watch the Tiger's last night! He also had to stop at the hospital for a chest x-ray on the way in and was exhausted when they got there.
T.C. is there with him, what a nice thing that they allow him to be there. Very nice facility tucked in the woods, there were 5 turkeys strutting by this afternoon :)
If you have any questions, please feel free to give Val or myself a call. Many Thanks to all of you that have helped out over the past 7 months, it was greatly appreciated! I am still working on getting Bruce a ride in a Fiero. May be able to do that next Friday. I have found a person from N. Muskegon who has offered to take him for a spin.
Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers, Diane
As Val said in the post earlier this week, he is still up to visitor's and welcomes all. Although he may not talk much.
He was resting comfortably when I left, he stayed up late to watch the Tiger's last night! He also had to stop at the hospital for a chest x-ray on the way in and was exhausted when they got there.
T.C. is there with him, what a nice thing that they allow him to be there. Very nice facility tucked in the woods, there were 5 turkeys strutting by this afternoon :)
If you have any questions, please feel free to give Val or myself a call. Many Thanks to all of you that have helped out over the past 7 months, it was greatly appreciated! I am still working on getting Bruce a ride in a Fiero. May be able to do that next Friday. I have found a person from N. Muskegon who has offered to take him for a spin.
Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers, Diane
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