On Friday night we celebrated Tony's life at a gathering in West Vail. By my count, and I'm sure I missed a few, there were at least 70 people there.
Given we had four days to contact friends and family, I am once again astounded by the number of people that Tony befriended and connected with.
Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated with us. Tony would have been proud, as was I.
This will probably be my last post. Thanks to everyone who followed Tony's last days, and gave us love, friendship and support.
Sandie
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Donations on behalf of cancer research in Tony's honor
In lieu of flowers or other perishable gifts, donations to the Shaw Cancer Center in Tony's name would be a remarkable way to honor him. Donations are tax deductible and you will receive a professional receipt.
The doctors, nurses and staff at the Shaw Cancer Center are an amazing team of clinicians and people.
Shaw Cancer Center
c/o Vanessa Lewis
PO Box 2559
Edwards, CO 81632
You may also access http://www.shawcancercenter.com/ and make a donation online with a CC.
The doctors, nurses and staff at the Shaw Cancer Center are an amazing team of clinicians and people.
Shaw Cancer Center
c/o Vanessa Lewis
PO Box 2559
Edwards, CO 81632
You may also access http://www.shawcancercenter.com/ and make a donation online with a CC.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Phone number for Australian Callers
Hi all, thanks for following our blog and for your calls.
Vera and Rebecca can be reached on a land line, which won't cost anything on our end.
Please call 970-476-6829.
Thank you!
Vera and Rebecca can be reached on a land line, which won't cost anything on our end.
Please call 970-476-6829.
Thank you!
Celebration of Tony's Life on Friday Night
Friday night we will have an Open House for anyone who would like to join us in a celebration of Tony's life. 5:30 pm - 8 pm in West Vail on Kinnikinnik Road. Pine Creek on the right hand side. It's the 3rd Bldg. Unit #4. Go past to find parking. It will be tight, please carpool as much as possible.
We'll have finger foods, wine and beer. If you want something stronger, please BYOB.
His birth Mother Vera and sister Rebecca will be there and they'd love to meet you and share in your memories of Tony.
If you have photos that you can share with them, and even take with them, that would be awesome.
If you need more specific directions or get lost, please call the house in West Vail and talk to my parents Vic and Paula. 970-476-6829. Hope to see you then.
We'll have finger foods, wine and beer. If you want something stronger, please BYOB.
His birth Mother Vera and sister Rebecca will be there and they'd love to meet you and share in your memories of Tony.
If you have photos that you can share with them, and even take with them, that would be awesome.
If you need more specific directions or get lost, please call the house in West Vail and talk to my parents Vic and Paula. 970-476-6829. Hope to see you then.
Sweet Dreams Tony
Tony passed away in his sleep this morning, Valentines Day, at the Vail Valley Medical Center.
It was his wish to be cremated and have his ashes sprinkled in various bodies of water.
So next time you are swimming in the ocean, or kayaking down a river, maybe you'll feel him swim by you onto a new adventure.
Sweet Dreams Tony.
Thanks to everyone for their loving support.
Sandie
It was his wish to be cremated and have his ashes sprinkled in various bodies of water.
So next time you are swimming in the ocean, or kayaking down a river, maybe you'll feel him swim by you onto a new adventure.
Sweet Dreams Tony.
Thanks to everyone for their loving support.
Sandie
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Tony admitted to inpatient hospice
Tony was admitted to inpatient hospice care at the Vail Valley Medical Center this afternoon.
All we can hope for now is that he passes away peacefully.
We'll hold a get together in Vail to share fond memories. Place and time TBD.
Sandie
All we can hope for now is that he passes away peacefully.
We'll hold a get together in Vail to share fond memories. Place and time TBD.
Sandie
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Family and Friends arriving in droves
Wow! Talk about support from family and friends. My parents arrived on Monday from Hilton Head. Wednesday, Tony's birth mother, Vera, arrived from Australia, Wayne Britain flew in from Austin. On Monday, Sean Tanton arrives from Australia and Tony's sister Rebecca from Iowa.
All are staying, in waves, in West Vail in a home graciously offered to us by Wendy Lew and her mother. That was a godsend as accommodations would have been just one more thing to arrange by this cruise director.
Local visits from Jamie and Gareth, Hayden, Kip and Lauren, Caroline, Ryan S., Ryan T., Dana, Dean, Dennis, Rob and Deb, Brandt, Rolly, Sean and Mac, Donnie, Happy and Matt. If i missed anyone i apologize. Wow! T has alot of friends rooting for him.
Back to Tony. Tony is doing ... honestly, not so good. He is getting a little weaker each day and a little less lucid each day. During the Superbow, he told me that the Russians were coming. One night he asked where the whole rugby team had gone, apparently we had been hosting a party for them. And yesterday morning, he shook me awake so that we could watch the Tour de France on TV (for non-followers, the tour doesn't start until July). That one broke my heart.
We now have home hospice care where a nurse and social worker come over twice a week to check Tony's vitals signs and see how we are both doing. They are terrific and are helping us deal with all of the decisions that need to be made on Tony's behalf. It's very difficult to talk about, and i always cry when they ask me the tough questions, but they try to prepare you as best they can for the inevitable.
Sadly, Tony will not fulfill his bucket list. He did play two rounds of golf in Scottsdale, but didn't make it to Pebble Beach or Augusta. And the Tour de France ... not likely. Nor is Maui.
Not to preach, but don't wait until you are declared terminally ill to try to fulfill your dreams. Tony and I have talked about going to the Tour for a few years, but kept putting it off for another year due to mostly, work conflicts. If you haven't heard this one -- "No one ever dies wishing they had spent more time at the office."
I'm going to start working on my Bucket List and you should too. Write it down and get 'er done!
Cheers and Good Health to all.
Sandie
All are staying, in waves, in West Vail in a home graciously offered to us by Wendy Lew and her mother. That was a godsend as accommodations would have been just one more thing to arrange by this cruise director.
Local visits from Jamie and Gareth, Hayden, Kip and Lauren, Caroline, Ryan S., Ryan T., Dana, Dean, Dennis, Rob and Deb, Brandt, Rolly, Sean and Mac, Donnie, Happy and Matt. If i missed anyone i apologize. Wow! T has alot of friends rooting for him.
Back to Tony. Tony is doing ... honestly, not so good. He is getting a little weaker each day and a little less lucid each day. During the Superbow, he told me that the Russians were coming. One night he asked where the whole rugby team had gone, apparently we had been hosting a party for them. And yesterday morning, he shook me awake so that we could watch the Tour de France on TV (for non-followers, the tour doesn't start until July). That one broke my heart.
We now have home hospice care where a nurse and social worker come over twice a week to check Tony's vitals signs and see how we are both doing. They are terrific and are helping us deal with all of the decisions that need to be made on Tony's behalf. It's very difficult to talk about, and i always cry when they ask me the tough questions, but they try to prepare you as best they can for the inevitable.
Sadly, Tony will not fulfill his bucket list. He did play two rounds of golf in Scottsdale, but didn't make it to Pebble Beach or Augusta. And the Tour de France ... not likely. Nor is Maui.
Not to preach, but don't wait until you are declared terminally ill to try to fulfill your dreams. Tony and I have talked about going to the Tour for a few years, but kept putting it off for another year due to mostly, work conflicts. If you haven't heard this one -- "No one ever dies wishing they had spent more time at the office."
I'm going to start working on my Bucket List and you should too. Write it down and get 'er done!
Cheers and Good Health to all.
Sandie
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Visitors = Hope and Love
Visits this weekend from Tony's friends have made all of the difference in the world in terms of his emotional outlook. Although Tony is getting weaker and having more trouble breathing each day, visits from friends are what is making it worth getting up every morning.
On Friday, Happy (Eric), Enus, Matt, Scott and Keegan came for a visit after a day on the mountain. This group of five + Tony, together, are the most hysterical that you can imagine. They have had so many amazing, silly, dangerous and awesome snowboarding days together, that most of us couldn't even imagine.
They packed up their empty beer cans and left just as the Hospice Care team came for their initial assessment. That was another story altogether, very sobering and sad to discuss the decisions to be made at this point of care. But the Hospice team is incredibly kind and warm, just like the folks from Shaw Cancer Center.
Saturday! Zach came for a visit from Santa Fe with dad Tom and girlfriend Susie! We watched the Phoenix Open (International, whatever), drank some mimosas and shared stories from the good ole days here in Vail.
On Saturday night Dominico arrived from Iowa! Dominico is (very) Italian and a Cardiac Surgeon and a dear friend of Tony's, they met in Frisco about 7 years ago. He helped me change Tony's dressings on his neck and his G-Tube -- it was cool to have a friend clinically treating him with such TLC.
Sunday, Zach and crew came for a quick visit before driving back to Santa Fe. Tony was a little more tired during they day, so it wasn't quite the same scene as the day before. After they left, we watched some Superbowl and Dominico joined us for dinner and rest of Superbowl. Thanks again to Hayden for a quick break to the store. p.s. Who thought the Black Eyed Peas were weak? Me too. Christina A. rocks though.
My parents arrive tomorrow. Tony's Mum arrives on Wednesday... and more to come. Should be some good stories to come. Thanks to Wendy Lew and her family for loaning their home for our family retreat... of sorts.
Good night! Long Day. Sandie
On Friday, Happy (Eric), Enus, Matt, Scott and Keegan came for a visit after a day on the mountain. This group of five + Tony, together, are the most hysterical that you can imagine. They have had so many amazing, silly, dangerous and awesome snowboarding days together, that most of us couldn't even imagine.
They packed up their empty beer cans and left just as the Hospice Care team came for their initial assessment. That was another story altogether, very sobering and sad to discuss the decisions to be made at this point of care. But the Hospice team is incredibly kind and warm, just like the folks from Shaw Cancer Center.
Saturday! Zach came for a visit from Santa Fe with dad Tom and girlfriend Susie! We watched the Phoenix Open (International, whatever), drank some mimosas and shared stories from the good ole days here in Vail.
On Saturday night Dominico arrived from Iowa! Dominico is (very) Italian and a Cardiac Surgeon and a dear friend of Tony's, they met in Frisco about 7 years ago. He helped me change Tony's dressings on his neck and his G-Tube -- it was cool to have a friend clinically treating him with such TLC.
Sunday, Zach and crew came for a quick visit before driving back to Santa Fe. Tony was a little more tired during they day, so it wasn't quite the same scene as the day before. After they left, we watched some Superbowl and Dominico joined us for dinner and rest of Superbowl. Thanks again to Hayden for a quick break to the store. p.s. Who thought the Black Eyed Peas were weak? Me too. Christina A. rocks though.
My parents arrive tomorrow. Tony's Mum arrives on Wednesday... and more to come. Should be some good stories to come. Thanks to Wendy Lew and her family for loaning their home for our family retreat... of sorts.
Good night! Long Day. Sandie
Friday, February 4, 2011
Coming Home Again
Tony's infection is under control and he was released from the hospital today. As luck would have it, Hayden was there for a visit to help me get Tony home safe and sound. Even though he is very thin, Tony is still alot bigger than me. Thanks Hayden! You are an Angel. You were either in the right place at the right time, or the right place at the wrong time. :)
Thanks for the visit from Rob and Deb and pretty please bring the doggie around for a visit.
Tony is home now resting with the help of an oxygen tank. Please come around for a visit anytime that is convenient for you. You don't need to bring anything, just your self!
Good night. Sandie
Thanks for the visit from Rob and Deb and pretty please bring the doggie around for a visit.
Tony is home now resting with the help of an oxygen tank. Please come around for a visit anytime that is convenient for you. You don't need to bring anything, just your self!
Good night. Sandie
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Flash Forward 2 weeks
We spent two weeks in Scottsdale. Tony was so excited to play golf and get out into the warm weather!
Day 2 - 18 holes at Legend (Hills, Falls, Skys.... something or other) and he played GREAT! We got paired up with a very nice guy (Bill) who knew a guy i went to college with... small world.
Two days of rest at the pool...
Day 5 - 18 holes at FireStar and he played GOOD! Tony played with two individuals who had both lost their significant others to cancer within the last two years.... small world.
Two more days of rest at the pool
Day 8 - scheduled to play with a local friend, Rick Dahm and had to call it a day on hole 2 -- too tired and it was a little cold that day.
If you know him well, Tony lives for golf, so if he calls it early, it's for a good/bad reason. We spent a few more days resting at the pool and reluctantly headed home. He really wanted to drive to Houston to visit his friend Wayne, but his lack of strength got the best of us.
Monday we rolled home in a snow storm and went straight to the Shaw Cancer Center. His white blood counts were very high (average is 5-10 and his were 65) likely to due to infection; calcium was high and oxygen was only at 58% - he was starting to hallucinate from lack of oxygen. He was admitted immediately to the VVMC hospital. A Cat-Scan showed that the tumors in his lungs had grown significantly... exponentially.... since the last one only a month ago.
Tony is only going to stay in the hospital as long as it takes to manage the infection. After that he wants to come home. We are speaking with Hospice about home care from there on to make sure he is comfortable (as possible under the circumstances).
If anyone wants to call, write, visit or send flowers, now would be a good time. Tony doesn't always answer his phone, but he'll know that you called. 970-688-0764.
I'm sorry that I haven't been able to speak with many of you individually to keep you updated. Anyone reading this blogs knows what a special person Tony has been in your life and i'm sorry to have been the one to bring you this heartbreaking news.
Good night. Cheers.
Sandie
Day 2 - 18 holes at Legend (Hills, Falls, Skys.... something or other) and he played GREAT! We got paired up with a very nice guy (Bill) who knew a guy i went to college with... small world.
Two days of rest at the pool...
Day 5 - 18 holes at FireStar and he played GOOD! Tony played with two individuals who had both lost their significant others to cancer within the last two years.... small world.
Two more days of rest at the pool
Day 8 - scheduled to play with a local friend, Rick Dahm and had to call it a day on hole 2 -- too tired and it was a little cold that day.
If you know him well, Tony lives for golf, so if he calls it early, it's for a good/bad reason. We spent a few more days resting at the pool and reluctantly headed home. He really wanted to drive to Houston to visit his friend Wayne, but his lack of strength got the best of us.
Monday we rolled home in a snow storm and went straight to the Shaw Cancer Center. His white blood counts were very high (average is 5-10 and his were 65) likely to due to infection; calcium was high and oxygen was only at 58% - he was starting to hallucinate from lack of oxygen. He was admitted immediately to the VVMC hospital. A Cat-Scan showed that the tumors in his lungs had grown significantly... exponentially.... since the last one only a month ago.
Tony is only going to stay in the hospital as long as it takes to manage the infection. After that he wants to come home. We are speaking with Hospice about home care from there on to make sure he is comfortable (as possible under the circumstances).
If anyone wants to call, write, visit or send flowers, now would be a good time. Tony doesn't always answer his phone, but he'll know that you called. 970-688-0764.
I'm sorry that I haven't been able to speak with many of you individually to keep you updated. Anyone reading this blogs knows what a special person Tony has been in your life and i'm sorry to have been the one to bring you this heartbreaking news.
Good night. Cheers.
Sandie
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