Grandma Sue Went To Be With Jesus

 

It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of my sweet stepmom, Susan Lee Gaskill, age 79. She is known to us as Grandma Sue, Mom and Sue. She became my stepmom when I was just five years old, so I have very few memories without her in my life. We are devastated by this loss. She is known for her kindness, her catholic faith, her love of her family, her unifying nature, her love of golf, her love of card games, her homemade noodles, her hot fudge, her cherry bars, and her sugar cookies. I can't imagine life without her.

This is how she passed, in my dad's arms. She went into the hospital on April 20th and never came out. Three days ago, she decided she was done fighting. She was tired of the pain. The pain was intense and it only worsened over the seven weeks. In addition, she developed a bed sore, so sitting was unbearable. She tried chemotherapy. She tried dialysis. She tried a feeding tube. She fought hard, but in the end her body did not respond as we hoped and prayed it would. She stopped all treatment three days ago and went into palliative care of the 6th floor of the hospital. She didn't want to go home. She just wanted to pass away peacefully. 

She was able to say goodbye to all her kids. Our family was six days into our trip to Italy when she passed. We were in Florence when we got the news. I was able to talk to her on the phone before she stopped talking. I had the kids each write a note to Grandma Sue before she passed. Their notes were read to her and she thanked them. I asked Debi if she would have her listen to the songs "Even If" and "I Can Only Imagine" before she passed. She loved us all so well. Once everyone but my dad cleared the hospital room and he climbed into bed with her for the night, she passed away peacefully in his arms around 9 pm. 

Lots of Trips to Iowa

 

After finding out Sue was sick and realizing things weren't looking good, I made a trip back to Iowa, May 1st through 6th to be with my dad and Sue. Debi flew in a few days after I left to be with them. Dane too. Katie and Libby flew in. Tom and Jane too. Sue's siblings were by her side as much as possible. I flew back, May 21st to 28th to spend more time with them. After I left, Debi returned to be with them while we were in Italy and stayed until the funeral. Dave and Lana were there daily. Dave and Darla were there a ton. Zach and Cody came. Blake, Erika and Sam were there. Melissa, Scott and Emily too. Lori and Ross came to see her. Rick and Krystal came. She loved us all so well and we loved her back. 

Katie and I crossed paths at the Dallas airport, as I was coming to Iowa and she was going home. We got to have lunch together and spent about an hour together, which was great. Debi and I got to see each other in the Cedar Rapids Airport for about five minutes, as I was coming and she was leaving. We had an emotional hug. 

In between all the time spent at the hospital, I managed to watch a couple of Bryker's Varsity Soccer games. Trevor came back for a work trip and got to see him play too. Bryker started as a freshman and his team made it to state, which was pretty awesome. He's fun to watch. I also got some time with my mom, Bree, Aliyah and Rylan. I'm thankful for my time in Iowa and the time I had with Sue. I couldn't have done it without the support of Trevor, holding the fort down back home. Thanks love.

Trace's Awards Ceremony

Trace was invited to the 8th grade Awards Ceremony where he received the Academic Achievement Award for those that have maintained a 3.5 gpa or higher in 8th grade. He also received the Certificate of Nomination for being outstanding in math. Way to go Trace!

His class went to Universal's Islands of Adventure yesterday for his 8th grade trip. Unfortunately it rained most the time they were there, which closed the rides. He said he still had fun in the rain with his friends and rode 2 rides. Tomorrow is his last day at JMS and then he is off to high school at JCS in August. My baby is growing up!!!

Kaylee's High School Graduation

There are no shortage of pictures to document this momentous occasion. The seniors were given their caps and gowns about three weeks ago and told that they need to give their gowns back immediately following the ceremony in order to get their diploma. So, Kaylee got some friends to meet for a photoshoot on Palm Beach Island. She invited Camryn and Izzy and Izzy invited Angelina. The moms all came too. It was a lot of fun. Kelly and Camryn joined us for dinner afterwards, which was a perfect way to end the night.

Kaylee's official graduation date was May 18th at 8:00 am at the Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. I began crying the moment they announced the faculty would begin the procession. Trevor said, "Already"? It was funny. The ceremony was very nice. Afterwards, we went out for breakfast at Berry Fresh Cafe and then ended up back at our house for gifts. Kaylee and Izzy went to the Project Graduation Party from 8:00 pm to midnight and won some fun prizes.

We wrapped up our Florida celebration with dinner at Capital Grille tonight. We invited Stacie, Patrick and Matthew to join us. The kids were in sticker shock when they saw the prices on the menu. Trace and Kianna both got steak and lobster. The rest of us got steak. All of us, thoroughly enjoyed our meal! It was another great celebration of our graduate and nice to know the kids appreciated the dinner splurge...

 

JTAA Rec Soccer

 

Kianna has been missing soccer since she stopped playing for Rise FC. Her friend, Emma, told her about a coed recreational soccer league for High Schoolers. Kianna joined the team and ended up playing against some of her old Rise teammates. She was put in the goalie box for the last three games, as she was deemed the best goalie. It was a new position for her. She really enjoyed playing soccer again and it helped motivate her to get back into shape. We're very proud of her hard work!

Sue's Illness

 

It is with a broken heart that I share these pictures and the following devastating news. On April 20th, Sue decided to go to the doctor because her stomach had been bothering her for a few weeks. The doctor called her at 10 pm and told her to get to the emergency room immediately as her labs came back and weren't good. They ran more tests trying to figure out the problem and decided it was her gallbladder.

They removed her gallbladder on April 22nd and observed that her liver didn't "look" right. They said they wanted to do a liver biopsy, however, it took the back burner as her kidney levels started to skyrocket. After 9 days in the hospital, they decided to start her on dialysis since her kidneys were failing.

Unfortunately, her liver just kept getting worse, leading them to do the liver biopsy. Well the results came back on May 5th that she has amyloidosis, a rare disease that causes abnormally shaped proteins to deposit in the liver, kidneys and heart. We knew for sure it was in her liver, but weren't sure if it was in her heart or kidneys.

As a result, they ordered an echocardiogram, which thankfully showed normal heart function for her age. They ordered a kidney biopsy and a bone marrow biopsy to see if the amyloids were in the those organs. Unfortunately, we found out that the amyloids are in her kidneys, which means she will continue with dialysis indefinitely. On May15th, she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, which is cancer of the plasma cells. The cancer is in her bone marrow and is the cause of the amyloidosis. The doctor said without treatment she isn't expected to last more than a week as her liver is failing. 

They consulted with Mayo Clinic and started her on chemotherapy that night. The chemotherapy seems to be helping, if even just a little bit. She has an appointment with the Mayo Clinic on May 30th. Her future looks bleak. She's been confused and overwhelmed by this all. She is very weak. We are scared and devastated by this news. We don't want her to suffer. We are praying like crazy for God to heal her if that be his will. 

In the meantime, my dad has been her constant. He has been by her side from 8 am to 9 pm. Dave and Lana have been amazing. Debi and Dane are there now. I was there, May 1st-6th and plan to return May 21st to 28th. Dave and Darla have been there. Scott, Melissa, Zach, Cody, Katie, Libby, Blake, and Erika have been there. Lynne, Jill, Tom, Jane, Rod and Jada have been. She is so very loved and our hearts are breaking...

Trace's 8th Grade Dance

 

Trace went to his first dance tonight with a bunch of his friends. He had a great time hanging out with friends and being silly.