Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
As you probably know, both Gordon and Virginia have been dealing with multiple health issues, which have gotten more serious in the past year. Late last year (in 2019), Gordon's lymphoma, which had been in remission for about 20 years, returned and his pleural cavity started filling with fluid. He spent a couple of weeks in the hospital over the Christmas holiday, and when he was released, Freyja and Brittany learned how to drain this fluid several times a week. Gordon began an 8-treatment session of chemotherapy in the spring, and the amount of fluid was reduced over time until the doctors were able to remove the drain. More chemo followed until late September when he developed neuropathy in his hands and feet. His oncologist decided that continued chemo would worsen the condition and subsequently stopped the sessions at that point. A recent PET scan has revealed that the cancer has now spread to both lungs and is rather aggressive. After weighing some uncomfortable options for further intensive and very likely risky therapies, Gordon, in discussions with his doctors and family, has decided that the best plan of action is to let nature take its course. He is now officially in hospice which is providing home care and assistance.
Virginia was diagnosed with congestive heart failure several years ago and also suffers a great deal with arthritis pain in her shoulders and knees. The severe edema in her legs, which became very swollen, caused some serious cellulitis to develop along with some deep wounds in the skin of both legs. Because of the severity and pain, she spent some time in the hospital this past spring too, and she was put on some heavy diuretics and antibiotics in an attempt to reduce the amount of fluid in her legs. In the months following, with the help of several home care nurses and physical therapists, her leg issues have started to improve and both the cellulitis and the wounds are healing. Unfortunately, this isn't the end of Gin's medical story. Sometime in September, she noticed a couple of lumps in her breasts, so her doctor ordered a diagnostic mammogram which then led to biopsies of both breasts. She has subsequently been formally diagnosed with breast cancer on the left side, and is currently working with her team of doctors to determine the best course of action to take.
Gordon and Gin are still living in their own condo in Sycamore, and Gordon continues to cook meals (with the help of Meals on Wheels three times a week) and do basic clean up of the kitchen. However, the time has come for them to make a change, and in the next few weeks they will now be moving in with Freyja and Rick, which is like coming back home again. It will be an adjustment for everyone, but will hopefully be helpful for all.
It's been a while. Just sharing this here in case we've missed anybody:
Dearest Family and Friends,
We’ve been promising to have a Celebration of Life service for Gin and Gordon, and we now hope that you will be able to join us on Saturday, August 21. We’ll be holding the celebration at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 1915 N. 1st Street in DeKalb at 11:00 am CDT followed by a lunch (of course!) in their fellowship hall. Brittany has also set up an event page on Facebook which you may have seen at https://fb.me/e/19Oc4jvG6. We ask that your RSVP if you know you can come so we can plan for food. You can respond on Facebook or you can email me at norsegoddess60@yahoo.com, or text me at 815-757-1368.
We’re hoping you’ll be able to join us to share stories, laughs, memories, and lots of family and friend time.
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