Hi

So I am not sure what is up with Karen’s Blog but the past couple of days it has been sending out emails for old posts. For me this brings to mind the time that has passed and how thankful we are for all the support we received during that difficult time.I thought I would take this time to provide an update & thank folks again.

The girls and I are doing fine with Ella now in 1st grade and Hazel aka H aka Haze in preschool. It has been about a year and a half since we moved & we have settled into our new digs nicely. The summer was uneventful, no broken bones, ER visits, etc.. Just good old summer vacation activities, beach, lemonade stand and a fantastic circus show up in Maine – CircusSmirkus.

We are looking forward to the 1st real snow fall so I can introduce the girls to skiing, they seem mildly interested but hopefully with some hot chocolate bribing I’ll get them on the slopes.

Ella & Hazel searching for pumpkins

Happy Holidays & Thanks

-Michael

Better hosting

I went ahead and placed the service program and recording at a better hosting company. Turns out the one I picked last night is slow as molasses during the day…

Program
http://www.filedropper.com/stasko

Recording
http://www.filedropper.com/karenservice-8272008

After clicking on the link you will want to select ‘Download This File’

-michael

Service Program & Recording

As promised I have posted the program to Karen’s service for those that could not make it. In addition the church made an audio recording that I have gone ahead and uploaded for those that are interested in hearing the service.

Program – PDF file format so you will need Adobe Acrobat.
http://www.mediafire.com/file/dywyzlntznh/Stasko.pdf

Audio recording – MP3 format & roughly 50megs so depending on your connection you may have to wait a few mins.
http://www.mediafire.com/file/h53mwtycn5z/Karen_Service_8_27_2008.mp3

The girls and I have been doing ok these past few weeks. School has started for Ella and she is taking everything in stride, including riding the bus! I decided to enroll Hazel in a local preschool and she is also adapting well to her new routine. With both girls now in school and daycare figured out I will be returning to work shortly.

The time we have been able to have together these past few weeks has been invaluable. It has allowed us to reconnect and establish our ‘new’ family structure and  ‘all in all’ I think we will be alright considering all of the planning Karen and I went through earlier and the support that we are continuing to receive from family and friends.

Thank you

-michael, ella & hazel

Thank you

After 4 months of ups and downs, living in hospital rooms and worrying day and night about Karen and the girls we are ready to start our new lives and as a result the purpose of this blog has come to an end.

For those folks that could not make the memorial service I will post the slide show and program once they are available.

We have been truly amazed at the outpouring of love and support that our family has received over the last few months from our friends and acquaintances. You have provided us the additional strength to help us get through each day and a level of peace and comfort to Karen.

A special word of thanks to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Portsmouth Regional Hospital. The doctors and staff provided a level of care that allowed Karen, and us, to get through each day. My employer, TechTarget, has supported me in so many ways—I cannot find the words to express my appreciation. Just know that I am so grateful to have been able to spend each day with Karen and the girls as she fought her battle.

Thank You

Michael & Family

In lieu of flowers….

I forgot to add in the earlier post that the following organizations were important to Karen. We request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either:

Families First Family Center, 100 Campus Drive, Suite 12 Portsmouth NH 03801

Pete’s Place, 30 St. Thomas Street, Suite 240 Dover, NH 03820

Thank you

-michael

Service

The wake will be Tuesday (26th) from 2pm to 4pm and then from 6pm to 8pm.

Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home, 77 Exeter Street, Newmarket, NH
http://www.kentandpelczarfh.com

Memorial service will be Wednesday (27th) at 4pm and then with a reception immediately following at the church.

Community Church of Durham, Main Street, Durham, NH
http://www.durhamcommunitychurch.org/

Burial will be private.

-michael

Peace

Karen passed away this morning at 5:05.

I woke at 4 and was with her for her final hour.

She slipped away as peacefully as we could of wished for.

Funeral arraignments are in progress but the wake will be on Tuesday (26th) and the memorial service will be Wednesday (27th). I will post an update once they are finalized.

-michael

Cadillac Mountain – 2000

Ready

Karen has made it known that she is ‘ready’. The infection has not improved and she has not regained any real strength these past two weeks. As a result her prognosis is now day to day. The doctors feel that she may have a week or so before her body finally gives up. They are quite amazed that she was able to hold on so long given the all of the issues she has been facing these past few weeks. A true testament to her inner strength and spirit.

After reviewing the options between going home vs. a hospice house we have decided to stay here at the hospital. Her condition is too tricky for quality oversight at home and to put her and the girls into a new environment at this time would be unfair considering her outlook.

-michael

Karen & Hazel 12/05

Transferred

Today Karen was transferred out of the ICU to a regular hospital room. Her condition is considered non critical in that she does not need ICU type care – all vitals have been stable. She is though still fighting the infection and recovering from the surgery. Unfortunately it appears that the cancer is prohibiting the healing of the incision and as a result we may not be able to continue with chemo therapy. Our earlier goal was to start a new version of chemo roughly the week after next in order to allow for her body to regain its strength but that was before we learned of the healing issue. She will continue to receive the antibiotics but all we can do is pray that her incision heals, infection is brought under control and she is able to regain some strength in a timely fashion that will allow for continued cancer treatment.

With this new info Karen has decided that she would like come home and be with us vs. at the hospital. We will be working toward that goal over the next couple of days in hopes that she will be able to enjoy some time with friends and family.

As for how is she doing? There is no real consistency in that some days she is able to hold a small conversation and others she has a hard time staying awake and being coherent enough to have a conversation. We really do not know what the next day will bring due to all of the variables she is dealing with at this time. Today happened to be one of those better days.

-michael

Karen & Ella 12/04

Infection

It has been a few days since the surgery and so far it appears to be a success. The perforation has been addressed via a Colostomy bag and her digestive track is back up and working since the surgery.

We are concerned though that the left over infection is not responding as well to the antibiotics as expected. She continues to be overly tired and her white cell count is not dropping as fast as they would like. As a result she is staying in the ICU until there is a clear indication if her body will be able to win this battle. She has a lot going for her in terms of her inner strength but there is a serious concern that the infection is so rampant that she might not recover.

I found writing this entry to be difficult at best considering I am putting to words thoughts that have been in our minds for the past few weeks – end of life. We pray that she will pull through…and will be able to continue her chemo treatment. These next few days will be telling on what the future will hold for us.

-michael