A Very Sad Valentines Day

Email from Mama (Monkey) to Ellie:

Dear Elle,

You seemed disappointed in me when I called to tell you the news last night. I was thinking this morning that maybe you'd have rather heard from Erica. If so, I'm sorry--I guess we should've discussed it beforehand. I just felt like reaching out to someone who cared about her a lot. I should've known, because when I heard it from Suzanne, we didn't feel like talking much at all either. Anyway, hope you're doing ok. Have you spoken to Erica yet? I'm glad you're going (again) this weekend. I ache for Erica.

love you lots, and I'm sorry,
mama


Email from Ellie to Mama (Monkey):

Mama,

I was NOT disappointed in you at all, just sad in general. I was very glad that you thought of calling me and letting me know. I might have sounded strange partly because I was in bed and almost asleep, but not quite. I tried to call Erica but she didnt answer, I figure she'll call me when she wants to talk...

Feel free to call me and talk anytime. I love you lots and lots and lots. Happy Valentines day... heh.

Love,

Ellie

Email from Mama (Monkey) to Ellie:

Oh goodie. I get paranoid. 

I wish she'd made it to the island. I feel this need to go there and be by myself but I think it'll be awhile til pop and I are free, between Grammy b and granddaddy....

Love you too

Mama

Email from Erica to Family and Friends:

Hi everyone,

My mom passed away last night.  I was holding her hand, and she seemed
peaceful.  I know that it's really hard to know what to say.  Please
don't stress about that.  It helps just  knowing that I have wonderful
friends like you out there in the world.

Love,
Erica

Mom-Annie Died

Email from Joe to Family and Friends:

Annie died peacefully this evening at about 9:15 PM. She was with her family who were holding her and supporting her. A memorial service will be planned for a later date weeks from now. Thanks for all your support and love.

The End is Near

Email from Joe to Family and Friends:

Annie remains unconscious and her breathing pattern has changed. The end is near.  She is very comfortable and seems at ease. Thanks for all the phone calls and emails of support.

Journeying Towards Whatever Comes Next

Email from Erica to Family and Friends:

It is with great sorrow that I tell you that my mom is now in a coma
and could pass away at any time.  It could be tonight, or several days
from now.  It's hard to say.  Basically, she just didn't get better as
we had hoped, and we believe that the cancer must have spread into her
bone marrow, thereby causing her platelet levels to continue dropping.

Thankfully, she has seemed very peaceful, and has not been in a lot of
pain.  My family is blessed to have wonderful friends around us
offering comfort and love.  I ask that you send courage and love to my
mom as she makes this journey towards whatever comes next.  Thank you
again for all of your kind words.  I know I haven't always responded
but please know that I received your emails and greatly appreciated
them.  The love of friends truly helps to counteract the feelings of
fear and lonliness that I am experiencing as I lose my mom.

Love,
Erica

Continued Vigil

Email from Joe Knight to Family and Friends:

Annie continues in comfort and peace. She is not talking to us and is not eating or drinking. She is surrounded by family and friends, laughter and tears, music and chanting, prayers and meditations, food and drink. Thanks to all of you for your support and love.

Joe

Like Second Parents

Email from Jordan:

Dear Ellie,

I am so sorry to hear that Erica's mom is dying.  It was clear from the way that you guys interacted during the wedding and wedding shower that they were like second parents to you, formal recognition of godmother status or not.  How is Erica holding up?  Have the doctors been able to make her mother comfortable.  It must be incredibly painful to have her be too confused to talk to...

Standing Vigil For Mom-Annie

Email from Joe Knight to Family and Friends:

Annie is no longer eating or drinking. She is resting peacefully with her eyes closed. She is surrounded by family and friends who love her and stand with her against the night.

Hoping For More Time With Mom-Annie

Email from Ellie to Leslie and Jordan:

hello girls,
so... we think erica's mom is dying. i have been calling her my
godmother so people will understand the role she plays in my life. she
IS my godmother, but... we dont have the proper rites
or names...
the cancer spread to her brain, liver, abdominal lymph nodes, and
bones. the most recent development is that her bilirubin shot through
the roof because her liver wasnt draining well enough to get rid of
it... ts just not looking very good. if her bone marrow & liver arent functioning better within the next week or so, she's going to go to hospice & palliative care (no more
treatment/hope for continuing chemotherapy).
so... thats what has been going on in my life lately, pretty much. im
going to seattle this weekend, and the weekend after, and i just HOPE
that no funeral occurs while im there. my mom thinks there will be.
but at this point, there is still a chance that she will be able to
get more chemo and become less confused/more herself. even then, a few more good
weeks or months might be the absolute best we can hope for at this point.  :(
anyway... just wanted to give you guys the update.
love you both,
ellie

Hey Erica-Bear

Email from Ellie to Erica:

Hey Erica-Bear,
Just got this update from your dad via... I didn't realize/want to
admit to myself that it was this bad. My mom is planning on being in
Seattle this weekend, I'm planning on coming too, I hope thats okay. I
will hang out with you as much (or as little!) as you feel like...
I love you lots.
- Ellie

Update On Mom-Annie's Health

Email from John Switten:

Dear Friends and Family of Anne Knight,

Annie woke up on Friday and has been somewhat alert off and on since then. The jaundice has diminished and her color is coming back and she is able to give short answers to some questions. She was able to eat a few bites of solid food. She is still in a lot of discomfort but they should be able to get her home Sunday afternoon using oral pain management and appropriate at-home care. Joe has ordered medical supplies to be delivered to their house and plans to take her home this afternoon and use home health care to supplement family care.

Joe is taking calls but ends up making a lot of callbacks which take up his time. Phone calls to Buzz at xxx are encouraged to get updates and schedule visits.  Call Joe first if you want to visit. Please keep your visits short, 15 minutes or less, so both Joe and Annie can get rest.

Thank you again for your good wishes.

Mom-Annie's Health

Email from John Switten to Friends and Family of Anne Knight:

This is a short message to give you an update on Anne’s health. As most of you already know, Annie has been receiving treatments for the last 2 years for the metastatic breast cancer that now resides in her liver.

On Monday, Jan. 28th, Annie was admitted to Virginia Mason Hospital here in Seattle to see if a procedure could be performed to remove an obstruction to her liver duct that was backing up drainage and causing a severe case of jaundice. The procedure was performed successfully on the 29th and she has been at the hospital recovering since that time. She is very frail and weak but the jaundice is abating and the hope is that she will be able to recover well enough to go home and start on a round of chemo again that could potentially shrink the tumor in her liver.

Joe has been with Annie in her hospital room around the clock since Tuesday morning with only a couple of breaks to go home and check the mail and phone messages. At those time Pam or I stay with Annie.

At this time Annie remains virtually completely unable to communicate. We hope this will change soon. She needs to rest now so I don't advise visiting at the hospital. It would be best to call if you want to visit. In the mean time we'll do our best to keep you updated on her condition.

If you call Joe and he doesn't answer or call you back don't be surprised. He has his hands full. We do appreciate all the encouraging words of support and thoughts and prayers.

If you want to call for information, please contact her brother, Buzz Switten, at xxx or by email at xxx. Cards can be sent to the home at xxxx, Shoreline, WA 98177.

If you want to provide food or something else, please coordinate with Buzz’s partner, Pam Xander, by calling her at xxx or emailing at
xxx.


Email from Ellie to Erica:

I've been so worried about your mom, but i feel stupid saying that because im sure it doesnt compare to what you're going through. i am SO SO SO glad to hear that her bilirubin is down, rbi back to normal, and that she is starting to wake up and recover... all my love and all my best.
i wish i could be in seattle right now.
:(
i love you SO MUCH. and i love MomAnnie. im all sniffly... tell her to
GET (all!!) BETTER SOON.
- Ellie