Continued thanks

Thanks to all who have been sending messages, cards, etc.  

In lieu of flowers we suggest memorial contributions to:

Opera Theater St Louis

P.O Box 191910

St. Louis, MO 63119

Classic 99 Radio  (KFUO)

P.O.Box 66913

St. Louis, MO 63166

Gene loved classical music and opera and it was the last thing he was able to enjoy.

Connie

Memorial Service

We have finalized plans for the Memorial Service.  It will be:

Tues. Aug 5, 2008  11am

The Sheldon Concert Hall

A reception will follow in the ballroom.

Thanks again to everyone for the many kindness and good thoughts sent to us, 

our family feels blessed.

Connie

Gene died Mon about 3:20pm

While I was with him my darling Geno died yesterday in his own bed, just gradually stopped breathing.  He was not in pain and had gradually become unresponsive through the day.  We had the hospital bed delivered but he was gone before we could even move him, which I think was his plan.  The hospice group, Faith Hospice, was so extremely helpful, I could not have managed Gene's last illness without them.  We are all amazed that once the decision to stop chemo was made, Gene died in exactly a week.  He has struggled so long against this cancer, I think he just decided it was time to let go.  As for me, I am glad to see him out of pain, but I could never be ready to let him go.

We are going to have a memorial service probably next week.  We will keep you posted as soon as date and place are confirmed.

My dear friends and family are here offering great support.  Thanks to all of you for keeping the whole family in your thoughts.

Connie

Monday brings big changes

Gene's health has continued to fail rapidly.  He is now bed-bound and I have ordered a hospital bed to be delivered this afternoon.  Home health workers will be here around the clock starting tonight, we hope, to assist with his care.  He is no longer able to eat or swallow pills but he can still take a sip of water or suck on an ice chip with our help.  Gene can recognize people but he can barely speak.  He seems to be in less pain in the last 24 hours but we have liquid meds to use as needed, again our goal is no pain and to give his as much love and attention as he can stand!

Gene's son Jim flew in from Las Vegas yesterday and is here now to help and provide comfort.  Susan has been over cooking dinner for us which we greatly appreciate.  The caregivers still need to eat!  Gene got to see our dtr-in-law Kimberly and Russ and Tom, our two wonderful grandsons Sunday so he has seen all the immediate family.  Special love for Uncle John Russell for stopping by yesterday.  Thanks to Kimberly and Sue both for providing food and goodies for the freezer.  Years of enjoying Gene's great cooking has left me very rusty on anything but washing  dishes in the kitchen.

Thank you to Hillary, Deb and Allen, Tony and Melanie, Peggy and Mike, Barb, Crista and Gerald, David and all who have stopped by and to all the others sending emails, cards etc.  Big hugs to Linda Grayson who took Herman to the vet for me today.

We are only expecting Gene to live for a few more days, it has been shocking how fast he has changed and so sad to watch him slipping away, but we are supported by our friends and family which makes it possible to keep going each day.

Connie

Charlie arrived today

Gene's oldest son Charlie arrived for the weekend and we are very glad to see him.

Gene continues to have trouble with nausea today and had a very restless night.  We are hoping that a new medication will stop the nausea.  He is having trouble with balance now and we have to watch him carefully to avoid falls.  He knows about this blog and is glad to hear from y'all.

Connie

We made the decision this week to stop treatment for Gene's prostate cancer.

The chemo was not working and making him very weak, tired and sick.  We now have hospice involved and they are helping us with end of life care and pain management.  They have been very helpful so far and have given me support and medical advice that I need to try to make Gene as comfortable as possible.

He is no longer able to enjoy food or wine, in fact he is eating very little.  He has no energy and sleeps a lot but he is still alert.  

You can leave comments on this blog or email either of us.  We can do responses for him as he cannot type any more (ok, he never was very good at typing!)  We appreciate all the love and caring you have been sending us at this very difficult time.  We are sad about this but also feel pretty peaceful about the decision.

Connie

First post

Hi friends and family:

We have had lots of people calling and emailing to find out how Gene is doing and so, with the help of my awesome nephew Owen Scott, I am going to publish this little blog to give you updates on his condition.

Gene lecturing in Acapulco, Missouri Banker's Senior Management Conference, Jan 2008

Geno and kids: Jim, Geno, Sue and Charlie, Yellowstone National Park, July 4, 2008, Charlie's 50th birthday.