Thinking about Relay For Life

2010-  I didn't mention before that February was a hard month for Dave in 2010.  He wanted to go somewhere warm so badly.  I looked at everything....Vegas, Florida, Mexico.  I just couldn't find a trip we could make.  Then I decided we could drive somewhere and we rented a house in southern Indiana for a few day ( right on the border with Kentucky).  His seizure and radiation treatments stopped that, plus we lost money when we cancelled.  The good thing was Dave getting home from the hospital.  He was on a very high dose of steroids and he hated it.  I can so vividly remember our Radiation Oncologist saying..."just do it for me, Dave".

2011- I finished pictures of Dave's tribute and then Oberon time was a little later in the month.

Now- So we've decided to start a Relay For Life team in Dave's honor.  The idea started with Loni Maki last year and then our friend Lauree Laurent asked me about joining their band, Michigan City Vandals, CD release party with fund raising in Dave's name.  The date hasn't been set for that yet, but the team is starting to come together.  Keep posted.  Together we can impact the lives of lung cancer patients...and in Dave's name.


peace, love, groove

Two years ago

Two years ago today - 3/19/10, Dave had a seizure in the middle of the night.  We have a memory foam bed, so I didn't know a thing until he fell on the floor.  This was the most horrifying moment of Dave's illness for me.  He was still having the seizure as I got to his side and was hitting his head against the shelves against the wall.  There was no room to move him and I really couldn't move him.  Just before I grabbed the phone to call 911, he stopped breathing.  I seem to remember that can happen with a seizure and as soon as the CO2 climbs (from not breathing) breathing restarts.  BUT I was the semi-panicked wife.  I hit him on his chest and screamed his name....."Dave Maki Breath!!!" and he did.   I then called 911 and they said "get him onto his side", I couldn't.  Then suddenly he started to relax and I got him turned.  The operator told me a police man was on his way.  I ran around the house to get the dogs put into their cages and quickly putting some clothes on, just in time for a knock on the door and help showing up.

Dave started to sit up obviously confused about what had happened.  I was torn about whether to go to the ED and paged the oncology on-call who advised us to go in.  Dave was there for a couple days while starting radiation treatments.  He missed what would have been his last performance with Bryan Lubeck (we tried to make it- the show goes on!).

This story is an example of why I'm going through the old posts.  I couldn't tell the whole story back then....I know I need to now.

2011- I had the Bluebird house up in the front yard. but sparrows moved in.  I just got the house back up this weekend and sparrows are back! I have my friendly ceramic bluebird back on the front deck.  I like the sparrows.

peace, love, groove

Forgot

I know I already posted today, but I forgot to say something.  I need to start by saying, I am not suicidal and do not want to die.  I know there is a lot of life ahead of me and joy is out there too.  I love my friends and family (including my dogs and cat).  Now that that was said... I don't fear death.  I look at it so differently since 10/10/10.  I watched Dave's "soul" leave his body through Nikki and I'm convinced he's close.  I will find him again, that gives me peace and hope.


peace, love, groove

Marching to....

2010-  We went to a second Admirals game.  The Oscar's were in March.  One night Dave went to the kitchen and I heard a loud noise.  He had fallen and had a low blood pressure.  I had to bandage one of his knees.  The next day we went out to eat with the Maki's.  The food was too rich for him... he loved to eat so much, it's sad to read about when he didn't enjoy food.

2011-  Remembering Dave cooking corned beef and cabbage on a fire in 2010.  And I started getting estimates on new windows.


So, last weekend I went to Czar's.  I met a friend of ours, Jason, who came into town from Elkhart.  It still takes my breath away to see Dave when I walk in the door.  And now there's new carpet and dance floor.  It's looking a lot better.  It was great to catch up with Jason and see other great friends (family) of Dave's....PK, Jennie, Beth, Jamie, Michael and many more.  Two things really hit me.  1- Going there feels like visiting Dave's other family and I'm "protected" and watched over.  That's very comforting.  2- I met up with a friend of Dave's I got reintroduced to and he said...I met you before about 5 years ago.  I couldn't remember!!!!!!  He said "it was years ago".  I thought about how dark it is in there, but somehow I do remember Dave introducing me to him today,  I still can't remember his name.  I feel bad that I didn't spend more time with this "other family" of Dave's.  There really was no excuse and I missed out on a lot.  Now, I really need to keep in touch.

peace, love, groove