The End

That's how a book is written. A beginning, a middle and an end. This is the end. Of the blog anyway. My sister is gone. I am heartbroken. I am going through the motions that I am supposed to. I have been through things with Shirley that I will never go through with anyone in my life. I did not watch my own children be born but I watched her son be born. I have never been with somebody as sick as she has been, or ever have ever been in the room with somebody who has passed away before. But I was with her. I was in her room when she went to heaven. I will treasure my relationship with her forever. Never will I meet someone like her ever again. She was one of a kind. And I know you all know that. I miss her right now, my heart aches. We will bury Shirley on Tuesday. Below are the arrangements. We would appreciate anyone who would like to come and pay their respects.

What an awesome person. Thank you all for reading my blog. I did this blog because I knew people loved her and would want to know how her health was with this awful cancer. It ended up being a tribute to the most wonderful sister a person could ever have. It goes so far beyond a best friend. I know what Shirley's skin felt like, what her hair smelled like...everything about her. I kissed her over and over before I left her this morning. So I could remember her. I pray that it will only be a second in time before I see her again.

I hope to see as many of you as I can in the next few days. I love you Shirley and I miss you. Only God knows how much.

Shirley M. Eichost

Shirley M. Eichost, age 42, of Piper, Kansas passed away on Friday January 23, 2009. Funeral Sercices will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday January 27, at the Wallula Christian Church with burial to follow in the Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday evening at the Alden-Harrington Funeral Home in Bonner Springs. In lieu of flowers the family suggests Memorial Contributions to the Kansas City Hospice House in care of the funeral home.

Shirley was born on Sept. 14, 1966 in Leavenworth, Kansas. Survivors include her husband of six years Mike Eichost of the home, two children Samantha and Alex Francis of the home, her parents Tom and Debbie Lewis of Piper, KS. Two brothers Tom E. Lewis and wife Cindy and Tim Lewis and wife Bea, also of Piper. Three sisters Teresa Noland and husband Steve of Shawnee, KS, Kathy McEndree and husband Mark of Desoto, KS., Tear Moore and husband Guy of Follansbee, WV., maternal grandmother Juanita McKee of Kansas City, KS, fifteen nieces and nephews and two great-nephews.

Arrangements:

Wallula Christian Church

23785 139th St.

Leavenworth, Kansas 66048

Alden-Harrington Funeral Home

214 Oak Street

Bonner Springs, KS 66012

913-422-4074

Again, thank you for this tribute that this blog became for my sister Shirley.

Love,

Teresa

Shirley is in Heaven

Shirley passed away peacefully between 6:30 and 7:00 this morning while everyone was sleeping. The nurse checked on her at 6:30 and she was still with us and when they checked again at 7:00 she was gone.

Thank you again for all your prayers and we will post the arrangements a little bit later.

Love,

Shirley's Family

One Week

We have been here one week today. Who could have known that we would still be here. She is a fighter. She is still fighting. I believe she is no longer conscious. Up until last night we were getting a tiny visit from her between 4:30 and 5:30 in the morning. This morning Mike and I did not get that visit. She was very quiet. And that is fine. We are all praying for God's mercy and peace for Shirley. The doctors tell us she has hit a plateau. Her breathing scares us at times. But her blood pressure and heart and lungs are all staying strong right now.

It's not pleasant watching Shirley go through this. It is breaking our hearts. But we will stand together and help her until she is ready. We visit and talk and laugh with her. We also tell her that everyone is praying and thinking of her. Please keep doing that.

Thank you,

Teresa

Shirley is Still With Us

I thought I would update everyone and let you know that Shirley is still with us. This process is not very much fun. She is laying in her bed very still and peaceful. We sit and visit with her during the day. At night, we sleep lightly and check on her. She will make eye contact and she will tell you she loves you. But not much more than that. I have decided that she is just not ready to leave us. She loves us that much.

The other reason I am updating is for my Mom and Dad. They have requested that I write a note from them.

"We asked Teresa to add this to the blog:

We would like to say a very special thank you to all the wonderful and thoughtful people from the bottom of our hearts.

To Shirley's co-workers from Embarq who have visited her in K.U. Hospital and the Hospice Center. A special thank you to Val, Dot and Pat who also visited Shirley at home. A sincere thank you for all they have provided for Shirley's family.

Thank you to our neighbors Richard and Linda Gilliland, Charlie and Carol Christ for being so thoughtful and for all they have given. Thank you to Donna and Merv McEndree, Bea's sister Jamie and Karen Honeywell (Mecum) for the food they have also provided at the Hospice Center. Thank you to Grandma Sharon and Robin for providing food for our families also.

We would like to thank Embarq, Hermes Landscaping and Plaza Medical Resources employees for their donations to Shirley's family at Christmas time.

A sincere thanks to Kansas City Hospice House for the helpful nurses and doctors there who have tried. At this time the doctors say Shirley is deteriorating day by day with just a few days left.

We hope we have not missed anyone but if there is any doubt that there are good people in the world, the testament above shows without a doubt there are. Thanks to all who have commented and prayed on this blog.

Last but not least, thanks to all of our wonderful children and their spouses for sticking together through this trying time.

God Bless You All!!!"

Tom and Debbie Lewis
(Dad and Mom)

This is almost my last post

We are almost done. This will be my last post until Shirley passes. We don't know when that will be, but it won't be long. She is growing weaker and weaker but has such a strong will to live. I can see that as she lays there in her bed.

The Chaplain came and gathered the family and we said a prayer around Shirley. Sammy and Alex were with us and that was the saddest part of all. To know that their mother will leave us soon. They were heartbroken, along with the rest of us.

I appreciate all of the comments, the support, the love and the prayers for Shirley and our family. We would appreciate it if you could continue the prayers a little while longer.

When Shirley leaves us I will post a final note letting everyone know. This is the saddest time of my life. People are saying things like time heals everything and she is going to a better place and we will go on...right now, it feels like my world is crumbling. My sister and my best friend is laying in a bed and is preparing to leave me and I don't like it. Nothing can heal the pain that is happening. Not right now anyway.

Love,

Teresa

Something is Different

I previously posted about being cranky. I was cranky because Shirley was not comfortable. Nauseated, vomiting. I got upset. Thought she should be more sedated. Well, as the night went on and yesterday came, that happened on its own. Shirley became more peaceful and was very relaxed. She slept all day yesterday. Not much movement. I could tell that something had changed. And then last night, late, they came into to give Shirley some drops under her tongue. When they asked her to open her mouth, she either wouldn't do it, or couldn't do it. I tried looking into her eyes and asking her to open and I could see it. The set jaw and the distant eyes. She didn't look like she could even see me.

I don't know what has happened, but right now there is no communication. Is it a turn for the worse, I don't know. The doctor will see her this morning. I am starting my 4th day here and with that much time you try to think about everything you should be prepared for. I never prepared for that. I never even considered that she wouldn't recognize me, or be able to talk to me. But that is where we are right now.

There isn't much coughing, I guess no pain...how could we tell. Her breathing is good and lungs are clear. I am praying so hard. I am praying for her to have peace. I am praying for us all to have peace. I keep telling her that I am tired of this place and let's get up and get out of here. Let's go do something more fun. I don't think that is going to happen.

Love,
Teresa

Doing Okay

So far today Shirley has done okay. She is resting peacefully right now. She did have some nausea and vomiting earlier. It seems whenever she drinks anything it will come back up. She whispered to me this morning that she can't talk. She is just too weak. So we have decided we have to quit asking how she is doing. She feels obligated to answer.

The family is just hanging out, taking turns checking in on her. Trying to do whatever she needs.

Definitely weaker today.

Teresa