Monday, April 27, 2009

Meals

Dear Family and Friends.

Mike has asked me to pass along to you that he and the boys have appreciated all of the meals, food, etc., over these last 6 weeks. But now, it is time for them to figure all of this out on their own.

The last official Care Calendar meal delivery will be this Friday, May 1. After that, we will discontinue the Care Calendar.

Having said that, I warned Mike that an occasional meal or baked treat might still make its way to their house. Sometimes via the Smith's (email me). But for the most part, I'll be shutting down the Care Calendar on May 2.

There will be more updates to Caring for Beth. I'm pulling together a picture slide show, I'll be posting birth dates and I know of a few other things in the works. Please check back now and then.

I can't tell you how much your love and support has helped Mike, the boys and the families. And your kind words, emails, cards, flowers, treats, phone calls and hugs have kept me going as well. Thank you so very much.

Blessings,

Susan

Friday, April 24, 2009

In Remembrance of Beth

Dear Family and Friends.

Mike created this beautiful Remembrance of Beth that I wanted to make sure you were all able to access. It is in PDF format. I will post it here, but will also add it to the right sidebar.

In Remembrance of Beth

Blessings.

Susan

Monday, April 20, 2009

In lieu of flowers...

Mike asked me to pass onto you that they would so much prefer donations as outlined below, rather than flowers, in order to fund research for this devastating disease.

Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center
1 Charles Center
100 North Charles Street
Suite 234
Baltimore, MD 21201

Memo line or letter should direct to Melanoma research in honor of Elizabeth Bryan.

Blessings,

Susan

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Funeral Arrangements for Beth.

Visitation
Wednesday, April 22
6:30-9pm
Fairfax Memorial
9902 Braddock Road
Fairfax, VA 22032

Funeral Service
Thursday, April 23
2:00pm
Church of the Good Shepherd
9350 Braddock Road
Burke, VA 22015
Reception following in the church fellowship hall

Sharing about Beth.

Dear Family & Friends.

I have been encouraging Beth's friends to share about her. Writing your thoughts, moments you remember with her, anything you would like to share with Mike and the boys, please post here or send to me by email. I'm compiling ALL of your comments and emails for the family.

Susan

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Beth.

It is with the saddest of hearts that I share that Beth passed away around midnight today.

Arrangements are still tentative and I will update as soon as they are final.

Please continue praying for Mike, Andrew, Stephen, William, Carolyn & George, Tom and his family, and Mike's family.

I would like to continue with the meal Care Calendar.

Thank you so very much for loving Beth's family as you have and I know will continue to.

Susan

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Beth Update.

Dear Family and Friends.

Beth is coming home from the hospital later on today. I can't tell you how it saddens me to add that she will be under Hospice care.

Mike and the family continue to covet your prayers, your love, your support. For the families and friends that are far away, I hope it is a small comfort to you to know that they are surrounded by people who love them. People that are willing to do anything they need.

Your cards, letters, emails, messages, flowers, food, gifts and especially your prayers, are all so very much appreciated.

Susan

Messages to the family.

There are a couple of ways to get messages to Beth and the family.

You can leave a comment on any of the posts that are up, including this one. The easiest way to do that, is to click on "comments" at the bottom of each post, if you don't have a google or yahoo account or any of the other options list, select "anonymous". Type your comment in the space provided. Be sure to put your name at the bottom of the comment/message and click on "preview" to proof your comment and then "post comment".

Another option would be to email me your message. My email address is RussellSusan[dot]Smith[at]verizon[dot]net. (I know many of you are not as comfortable and experienced on the computer as others so let me explain that [dot] is a period and [at] is the @. When posting on a blog like this, it is always better to use the dot and at written out so that computers searching for spamming targets aren't able to instantly pick up your email address.)

I hope to be posting later today as to how Beth is doing, when she is coming home, etc.

Blessings,

Susan

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Update.

Dear Family and Friends.

As many of you have already guessed, Beth's treatment has not gone as planned. She is still in the hospital. Beth is not up to seeing visitors, unfortunately. She is expected to come back home once her doctor feels she is stabilized. The family is asking for your continued prayer and support.

Susan

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Beth is still in the hospital.

She should be coming home within the next couple of days. I'll let you know.

Thanks, as always, for your prayers and support to Mike, the boys and family.

Blessings,

Susan

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Weekend Update.

Just a quick update.

Beth is in the hospital for a short stay to get rehydrated. She'll be released soon. She is in a private room and only family is visiting.

Stephen and William have been at the beach for a couple of days. Kim...you are the best!

Andrew is staying busy with work and keeping Mike and Beth company when he's not in school.

Thank you for the continued meals, cards, letters, and prayers.

Blessings to you and yours as we celebrate Easter tomorrow.

Susan

Monday, April 6, 2009

A New Need added to the Care Calendar

All. I had an e-mail from Susan Ariale this weekend and her mom passed on a great idea.

If you go to the Care Calendar (same log ins as before) you'll see that beginning April 10, there is a new need in red lettering: Cards & Letters. Basically, pick a day to put a card or letter in the mail to Beth and or the family.

8809 Dianne Place, Springfield, 22152.

Maybe instead of a card you would like to send an inspirational poem? Book mark? Short book? DVD? CD? Just something to let Beth know she is being thought of and prayed for.

Thank you, as always, for being so willing to help. As soon as I have word of other "needs" from Mike and the family, I'll let you know.

Blessings.

Susan

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Food and friends.

I know it has been forever since I updated. Not much to tell, really. But I'll try.

Beth is undergoing treatment. Radiation and chemo. It is tough. Tiring. She is sleeping a bunch. Building strength and resting up for each day's treatment.

There is food all over the place in the Bryan kitchen. So...new idea. If you signed up for a meal, definitely bring the meal over. If you are not signed up, please don't bring any food over. At least for a couple of weeks. The freezer and fridge and counters are overloaded. Which is, absolutely, a blessing and very much appreciated.

I will be adding more days onto the meal care calendar. Seriously, knowing that food is taken care of each day is a huge load off of Mike. He told me today that he is just blown away by the generosity and love shown by y'all and he doesn't know how he'll ever be able to thank you. I told him there was no need to.

As of this time, there still isn't really anything they need other than the continued prayers, love, cards and letters. Beth really just does not have much energy right now and when she does, she is spending her time with Mike and the boys.

Beth did come to church this morning for a bit. She has gotten out of the house to sit outside and supervise Mike in planting some flowers this weekend.

I promise you that Beth and Mike know how much y'all want to see them and talk and visit, but they continue to covet your prayers. And really, cards and letters are a much better way to communicate with them right now.

As always, I can't tell you how much everything you have done and are doing is appreciated.

Blessings.

Susan