tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67182169867384850212024-02-15T02:21:08.112-08:00alli's equilibriumallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.comBlogger1014125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-25811564287128598322019-03-24T17:56:00.001-07:002019-03-24T17:56:26.493-07:00Special Friend<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Thank you
all for being here today to celebrate Alli.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>As I look around the church today, and it’s easy to see, just how much
Alli was loved by so many people, and how much she loved others.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>To me, Allison was not just my cousin.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>She was as close as a best friend, like a
sister, a role model, a warm and comforting soul, and always an excellent
partner in crime.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">There are
so many amazing memories growing up with Alli.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Although we didn’t live in the same town growing up, our time together
was always fun.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Easter weekends in
Yakima and fun visits in the summer when she lived in Vancouver… and all the
little things like admiring her pencil collection and her cool clothes.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I felt like I won the lottery when I got her
hand-me-downs as a kid.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I looked up to
her more than she probably ever knew.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Even though we are 5 years apart in age, it never felt like it.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">I always
felt lucky to spend time with Allison.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I remember when I was in college and she would travel to Yakima for work
and she would always make a point to come and see me at Central, or have me
come and meet her for dinner in Yakima at her favorite Mexican restaurant.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>A 2-hour dinner would fly by in what felt
like 2 minutes.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">As the
years went by, we continued to have countless laughs and share moments together
that will always be in my mind.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>LOTS of
inside jokes.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Tears.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The ups and downs of parenting… mostly the
ups.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Work.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Dave Matthews Band.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The joys of life.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our husbands. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Golfing.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Our husbands going golfing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Traveling.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Food.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>And how much family meant to us.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I’ll never forget how much she glowed the day she married Barrett… and
again when she became a mom.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">We got to
stop and see Alli a few weeks before she passed and she really wanted to sleep
that day and at one point I kind of laughed to myself.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It could have been from the meds, or that she
was really not feeling well that day… or the fact, as most of you know, that
Alli just enjoyed sleeping and maybe she was taking advantage of it.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But what I remember most is when she woke up
and saw Josh and me, she had that classic Alli look of surprise… ”hello special
friend”.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I wished I could have recorded
her saying those words.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That was our
special greeting to each other for many years…. what I wouldn’t give to hear
“hellooooo special friend” just one more time.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">If there
is one thing Alli would want, is for all of us to continue living life by being
brave.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I thank you all again for being
a part of Alli’s celebration.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I will end
by saying this… ”How lucky I am to have known someone who was so hard to say
goodbye to.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Alli –
wherever you are today, you are forever in my heart, and always on my mind.</span></div>
allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-63346895915611161992019-03-17T17:42:00.000-07:002019-03-17T17:42:13.759-07:00Aunt Alli<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">My name
is Taylor. I am Allison’s youngest niece. I am last in line after my brother
Zach, cousin Jessica and cousin Tyler. It must have been an adjustment for Aunt
Alli, to once be considered the baby of the family, to then suddenly having 4
little ones running around, all of us under the age of 4. She loved us as a
group, but she also went out of her way of showing us love as individuals. She
always supported all of us in everything we did growing up, even when she lived
a couple hours away, she always made sure to be there for every major moment in
our lives. Some of the best times we would have as a family were going up to
visit her. We spent time shopping in Seattle, eating at her favorite
restaurants, and going to a few Mariner games. We also had an abundant of
family games that we all played together. From SkipBo, Phase 10, and BUNCO, to
our recent favorites of Quarkle and the 4-5-6 dice game. Our family group
texting chats were filled with funny pictures or videos, a lot of bickering,
and lots of pictures that she took of Barrett sleeping in random places.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">I was
lucky enough to be included on their trips to Disneyland the last couple of
years. There was never a dull moment between running around to the different
rides, running to get fast pass tickets, and running to Starbucks for an
afternoon fix. We spent a lot of our time waiting in the lines figuring out
what faces we should make for the camera next, even when we knew that Malena
would be the only one screaming. We both always dreaded going on the water
rides, but by the time they were over, we were all laughing until our stomachs
hurt.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">The last
trip we took was to Couerdlane Idaho last August. We had went shopping the day
before, so Alli was looking up places for us to go and she found that Post
Falls Idaho had a cute downtown area that we could walk around in. So we all
hopped in our car and she was the copilot giving my mom the directions. We took
the exit to Post Falls, and stayed on the same two-road lane for a couple
miles, and then a couple more miles. It didn’t look like there was anything
that resembled a downtown area coming up, but she insisted it was just a little
bit longer. Eventually we turned into a gas station so she could ask for
directions. While waiting, we discovered that we might have been in the
downtown Post Falls area because next to the gas station was a liquor store and
smoke shop. And across the street was a “gentlemen’s” club. We would have
stayed and enjoyed all that Post Falls had to offer, but we had Malena with us and
we didn’t think she was ready for that yet. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When she came out of the gas station she told
us, “the cashier had no idea what I was talking about and someone uploaded
pictures from a different downtown area. We are in the wrong place.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Aunt Alli
was a person who always put others needs in front of her own. Even when she was
feeling down or not in the best health, she still lead the way for creating
Happy Mail campaigns to whoever needed it no matter where they were. She was
always there for every major moment in my life, and the lives of my cousins and
brother.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>She was at every appointment
and every day of surgery when my mom was going through breast cancer, so I
wanted to show her just how much I appreciated her. We once had a passing
conversation about Broadway shows that we would love to see, and we both said
how much we would love to see Hamilton. It was a couple months later when I saw
that the show was coming to Seattle, and I thought that it must be fate. I did
everything I could to get just two tickets. It ended up taking a couple hours,
during a work day, but I finally made it through. I decided to keep it a secret
from her, and gave the ticket to her as a Christmas present. I remember being
so nervous, not knowing if she had already gotten tickets. I don’t know if I
can even explain the look of excitement that came over her face. She was
jumping up and down, screaming, and looking at me like “this better not be a
joke.” March 17, 2018 turned out to be one of them best days of my life. We had
a lunch of fish and chips with some of our favorite cider. Then, did a little
shopping at American Eagle. We talked about our favorite songs from the show
and which parts we were most anxious to see. We also joked that we were both
definitely ready to go up on stage if they needed us to fill in for anyone. Finally,
we made it to the show, with our seats near the very top, but we could still
see the stage. There was one point during the show, when I look over at Alli,
and she is napping. I could not believe it! I then knew what she must have felt
like when Barrett fell asleep at the Michael Buble concert. So I did what she
did, I subtly moved by body, to make it look like we were just strangers just
sitting next to each other. She woke up a few minutes later, and neither of us
ever talked about it, and I promised myself that I would never let anyone know
that she had fallen asleep because I knew that she would never live that down
especially after all the times she took pictures of any us sleeping at random
times.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">I don’t
know how there can be a world without Aunt Alli in it. She was someone who was
so happy to see you whenever you hadn’t seen each other in a while. Her smile
and laughter could light up a room, and make you smile and laugh right a long
with her. I don’t know if there will every be a time that I won’t wait to hear
her greet me as “hey sister” or when she would wake up with the mornings and
come downstairs and tell us all that she knows that we are jealous of how her
hair looks, but she just can’t help that she woke up like that. I’ll miss her
hugs, and when she’d ask if you were ready for another cider, even when you’re
only halfway through your first one. There has been a constant ache in my heart
since you’ve been gone, but I know that you’ll always be watching over us. You
are the best aunt anyone could ever ask for. I love you and I miss you. I can’t
wait to see you again.</span></div>
allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-11842284430729168202019-03-10T19:28:00.001-07:002019-03-17T17:40:30.775-07:00Hot Tamale
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">My name is Kim Fogo, I am Alli’s sister,
technically I am her sister in law but she did not like to use the word in-law.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Our Amazing Alli. She ROCKED this
world at a very young age and continued to WOW us more and more each year! I
was blessed to have been part of her story for the last 30+ years, and grateful
for the wonderful memories.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">I would like to share some of
those with you: </span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Renting houses with the family so
we could all be together. Places included </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Lincoln City and Bend Oregon, Seabrook,
and most recently Coeur d’alene. This normally meant the guys golfing and the
girls shopping or out and about on adventures. At night we most likely would be
celebrating one or more family members birthday with a special dinner, cake,
and ice cream. We would play </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">family games, including Qwirkle, which
quickly became a family favorite. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Our many pinochle games, with you
as my partner. We weren’t gracious winners and of course we were poor losers. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Our twice a year trip to Emerald
Downs for the horse races; Memorial Day weekend to welcome the start of summer
and Labor Day weekend to say good-bye to summer. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We usually picked the horses by name, color,
number, and/ or the statistics Malena gave on each one.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Trips to Vegas and Disneyland, many
concerts, Mama Mia the play and movie a few times. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Mariner games. Camping when we had our tent
trailer and summers you would come to Hoquiam and babysit Zach and Taylor while
we worked. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">I’m pretty sure a lot of you did
not know this but we are a pretty musical family. Us girls, could burst out in
song pretty much anywhere and anytime. We could sing, just ask us. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Some of our favorites include: Shania Twain
tunes, Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline, Sister Goldenhair Surprise, The Rose, “Once,
Twice, Three times a lady” and of course Meatloaf – Paradise by the dashboard
light.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Our yearly Bunco Fundraiser for
“Cancer Can Suck It team”. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">#wherebarrettsleeps</span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Simply sharing a Box of Hot
Tamales together – thank goodness those were gluten free.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">You were one of my biggest fans
when I walked the 3 day Komen this last year. How you welcomed me, with your
house decorated in pink. You made sure I got to the site each day. Showing up
at the cheering sections with signs, my favorite coffee, and a lot of cheering.
You painted me as the Hero that weekend – no Alli you were the HERO.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Thankful for your Blog - Alli’s
Equillibrium. I referred to this at times as my therapy site and/ or at times as
my attitude adjustment site! You had a way to know how to put things into
perspective</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">There was never a dull moment when
it came to her stories. One of my favorites <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>that we had shared recently at one of her
hospital stays. When she worked at Michael’s in Bellingham and Canadians would
come shopping. They would ask you about the exchange rate and you would say we
don’t do that here, we just round up. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That worked for a while until one of them
wanted to speak to a manager. You could not figure out what their issue was on
this. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For some reason anyone but Barrett
could bring this story up.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">There are a lot more memories and
stories that I will always cherish. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Alli
loved to celebrate milestones, but she even loved to celebrate the little
things even more. This was especially true with Barrett and Malena. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our Family won the lottery when she met and
married Barrett also known as “Hook”. You see in our family if you get a
nickname that pretty much means – you are pretty special. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I’m not sure if Hook is because of his golf game
or if it’s because Alli hooked him!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">We also got a pretty sweet niece –
Malena who is a yummy chef, crafter, organized, can swim like a fish, a
beautiful cheerleader, and most of all a perfect host of the best New Year’s
Eve party ever. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Alli was an amazing aunt to her
nieces and nephews (Zach, Jess, Ty, Tay, Reese, and her great nephews Dro and
Harper Dean). She was present in their lives and had a special relationship
with each and every one of them. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Alli was brave, amazed, and
inspired so many people. I’m not sure if she even realized how many people’s
lives she touched and made their day a little brighter.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">She orchestrated the Happy Mail
Campaign that was HUGE success. Making sure people who were fighting their own
fight, was blessed with GOOD VIBES and lots of MOJO. This included mail and
sometimes small gifts from people all over, just letting them know that others cared
and were rooting for them. I was a recipient of her Happy Mail and it was
unbelievable and all the love you felt. Alli, sent me one which included a
singing telegram in person that was delivered by Alli’s own Dad.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Alli was the most thoughtful and
kindest person you will know. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Alli
believed everyone should be kind and she practiced what she preached. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Always making sure YOU were ok; she would send
a text, a card in the mail which usually included a Starbucks card, or a phone
call just to make sure all is good and that she was thinking about you. She was
always doing acts of kindness. I loved hearing and seeing these and there were
so many.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Alli is a person that made a huge
impact on each and every person she knew. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our hearts were shattered on New Year’s Day,
as the day Alli chose to lay down her gloves. This day will always bring sadness,
however it will now be known as the Amazing Alli Day! A holiday for everyone
and you can have the day off. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">I am choosing to honor and
celebrate Alli and remembering her as the fighter she was. We can honor Alli
everyday as there are two simple things Alli would want – Apply your sunscreen
and be kind! <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Alli, I love you, miss you and you
will forever be in my heart. </span></div>
allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-48917794292277889112019-03-02T07:57:00.001-08:002019-03-02T07:57:46.505-08:00Shalom<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Shalom
……. That’s how Alli and I would great each other. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">For those of
you who don’t know I am Allison’s sister Denise…..AKA Nerd</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Years ago,
Allison gave me this little wooden block the simply says ‘How do people make it
through life without a sister’ and for the last 26 days and for all my days to
come I will be trying to figure that out. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I don’t have
to tell any of you that she was simply the best, because you already know that
and that’s why you are all here today. She touched your life and left you
with sunshine, but for us she was the sun that we rotated around. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Steve and I
were nearly 13 and 9 when this blond haired blue-eyed little girl came into our
lives. Being older we got to color, play Candyland, and play hide and seek all
over again. She was 5 when I learned her silence could be bought with a
box of crayons and a new coloring book as one weekend I had a wee bit
of a gathering when the parental team was away. She never did squeal on
me, but yes, they did find out. Living in Yakima at the time summers were
all about running through the sprinkler and camping out in the back yard. She grew older and our fun times continued like riding our bikes to Dairy
Queen for a Dilly Bar or me driving us out to the park to go feed the ducks.
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">She must have
been in college doing her environmental studies when she found her passion for
saving the Earth through recycling. She beat me into submission and today
I can recycle with the best of them. She has this print in her office of
a little girl feeding whales who are lined up for a treat, that print always
reminds me of that wide-eyed college graduate who loved this world for its
land, its water, its animals and its humans.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">As the years
went by we continued to hang out and have laughs as often as possible.
Allison was my maid of honor, twice, and I was hers when we gained
Barrett. We always have so much fun together. One year she, Jess and I
went on a New York City adventure and a few years later the three of us plus
Mom and Malena took a trip to Waco TX the home of HGTV’s Fixer Upper.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Looking back,
I can’t remember when the first happy mail campaign was or even who it was for.
But what an amazing thing she started. A thought that she had to
bring someone a smile was the seed and asking friends and family to assist was
the sprout of this amazing happy mail vine that has woven its way around
connecting people and growing into such an amazing network of givers. I
know we will continue to send happy mail out into the world with a smile and
the thought of her as we add the stamp, whether it be a special stamp like the
Mister Rodgers stamps she was so excited about or just the simple flag one.
Feel free to add a little flare to the envelope in Alli fashion…. draw a
picture, use stickers or use the best thing ever…. Washi tape.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">She was a
fantastic aunt to Zach, Jessica, Tyler, and Taylor; always going that extra
mile to send cards and care packages, getting exactly what they wanted for
birthdays and Christmas, and for showing up to every single milestone she
possible could. Whether it was down to Tri-Cities in the summer or over
to Pullman in the middle winter when it was below zero outside. She loved
all four of you fiercely... but, maybe favored the girls just a little because
they drank hard ciders with her and we all know how Alli loved her hard cider. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Allison gave
me a special gift over the years by letting me hang out with her and her
friends from time to time. It was a win-win for me as it meant more time with
her and I got to meet so many of you in this amazing group of friends that she
has. Thank you all for the love you showed Alli over the years and the love and
support you have and will continue to show Barrett, Malena and all of us.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Thank you all
for coming here today and sharing in the Love for one amazing human being and a
truly one of a kind Sister.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-61869242658995027162019-02-24T21:04:00.002-08:002019-02-24T21:04:31.967-08:00Amazing Alli
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hello My name is Steve, Allison’s
Brother.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My notes have the title of “Amazing
Alli”.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Am I right? Wasn’t she just
amazing!!</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">An amazing daughter, granddaughter,
sister, niece, wife, mother, aunt, cousin, coworker, boss, friend, special friend,
artist, support counselor and a #1 cheerleader for any and all accomplishments.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ummm hang on! Did I miss one. Heck,
yes I did. She was an amazing human being.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let me give you some background
information from my prospective as Allison’s favorite big brother. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Can you see the Quotes “It was a
dark and stormy night.” We have heard this many time from James on his first
date with JoAnn. Later in the relationship came this quote. “I thinks I love ya
baby, let’s go get a Pizza” His Love for pizza and JoAnn, still hold true today.
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I think the correct order is, JoAnn then
pizza. That being said, if the food item was nachos, it may be a different
story.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">July 17 1975 – Allison Dana Ray
was born. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a young child, She was all
smiles. A happy, curly haired fun loving kid.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While living in Yakima, that happiness
was shared in the Yakima Herald newspaper. Allison and a neighborhood chum, Kim
Haddocks, were walking back from school and both were caught by a newspaper
photographer. The picture shows then stomping in the mud puddles with their
umbrellas up and huge smiles. There were a few extra copies of the paper bought
that day.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">High school years at Columbia
River in Vancouver, graduating in 1993. Marching band, studies and boys? I
cannot comment in depth, as during these years I was out of the house. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then came Western Washington
University again studies and working at “The Bird” AKA Red Robin. A total success
with a Viking College degree and many new lifelong friends. The math wizard
that she was (Question mark, Question mark), came in handy when she was working
at the Bird. She developed a quick and easy Canadian/US exchange rate. The math
worked for her but not so much for the canucks. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I never did get the math she was using, and I don’t
think the Canucks did either.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Early on you could see Allison had
her Dad’s work characteristics. Goal oriented – set it and excel to a mark
higher than the goal that you sent for yourself.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Hanson Years:</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I believe it started at Alli’s 30th
Birthday party extravaganza. Go kart racing and a short pub crawl out at Ocean
Shores.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who is this Guy and does he know
what he is getting into? As far as this crazy family? There were also strict
orders to James to not give him a nick name too soon. You all know James. Right
Garbonzo, Precious, Mak Mak, The Viking Princess, Hook… That one is kinda
strange, right Hook as early on you were slicing the golf ball!!... and there
are ohhh so many more.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Looking at Barrett, I see another
over achiever. He works hard to exceed the lofty goals he sent out to reach.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And a Huge “Thank You” to Barrett:
for setting your Goal, to be the best husband in the world to our Alli.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">OK lets breathe... in with the
good, out with the bad. One more time in with good and out with bad.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then came Malena. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another go getter. That apple did
not fall far from her mom and dad. She is one smart crafty cookie. And with our
support, she too will reach her goals. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You may know now, if you hadn’t
already been aware.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Allison Dana Ray Hanson</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">AKA Alli</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Was and will always be known as a
Fighter, she fights to reach her goals and ambitions. The only limitation to
her ability was that there are only 24 hours in a day. There were many times I
would see a late night postings. I then got on the tweeter hooter, another
James term for a Cell phone, and sent a text or comment on her blog reminding
Alli bedtime is 10pm.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the day of Alli’s passing.
There was a humming bird feeder outside her window. I’m thinking its January in
the Pacific Northwest... are there still humming birds around? Yep there are. A
few came and slurped up throughout the day. The feeder had a ring at the pedal
so a bird can sit and eat.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">During Alli’s last breaths, a
humming bird came back and sat at the feeder. It was not eating. It was waiting
patiently, for what? Was it there to comfort us at Alli’s bed side? Was it
there to help Alli? For whatever reason, I have a new reason to enjoy a humming
bird. I am looking for just the right humming bird feeder for my home. It will
be another reminder to me of my amazing sister.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Allison</span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We Love you</span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We Miss you</span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And You will always be with Us.</span></b></div>
allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-28182396708612758862019-02-19T21:18:00.000-08:002019-02-19T21:18:01.414-08:00unicorn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YL9r6cfJkRl0J6_OBXMXDerAzHieYIXLPRSfJixT2-fn0hChzogdsJZ7CzjWRPKzkggaiaEb6ac2FVqsze3SCd0moDS7AXrsiA2zFzWQnbLFzGcmrs6ne21LfJX0nzcZI368jyH2Ofw/s1600/IMG_9435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YL9r6cfJkRl0J6_OBXMXDerAzHieYIXLPRSfJixT2-fn0hChzogdsJZ7CzjWRPKzkggaiaEb6ac2FVqsze3SCd0moDS7AXrsiA2zFzWQnbLFzGcmrs6ne21LfJX0nzcZI368jyH2Ofw/s640/IMG_9435.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I wanted to write this out for a long time but it was just too hard. I wanted to do it since Malena was not at an age to talk at the celebration and to make sure her and I always had this memory. </span><br />
<br />
As you may know Alli collected different inspirational items that she brought with her to all of the different doctors appointments, scan results, and other things over the years. As Malena and I were preparing for Alli's burial we decided that some of those items should be with her body to know how much she meant and inspired us. Malena was instrumental in helping pick out each one we chose from the many items in Alli's collection. I wanted to share just a short thought on why we picked the out. <br />
<br />
bravery - everything about her was brave. when it would have been easy to quit she always picked up her boxing gloves for another fight to spend every day possible with all of us.<br />
<br />
friendship - as much as she meant to all of you, you meant as much to her. she cherished every friendship and doing everything she could to put smiles on your faces always put a smile on her face.<br />
<br />
luck - as much as we miss her everyday we were lucky to get the time with her and with each other as a family. without that luck we wouldn't have the most amazing daughter in the world.<br />
<br />
love & a heart - the love we shared as a family should always be with her. and as hearts always had a way of finding her we wanted her to have one for eternity as a symbol of our love. <br />
<br />
Finally, we chose a unicorn... I mean who wouldn't plus she really was a mythical person that will live on in all of our hearts and stories forever. allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-64953912477673960162019-02-10T16:49:00.003-08:002019-02-10T16:49:41.245-08:00for my everthing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI3TkIZT1514i9PhIXnLfRd0D1JQkObCdTKtqXOevegtBPYhdT6BRnV9JPi5U55wDn8LzGdHUAy1bpotTEx-XkBkoGmiOh0bEX7xGDoHe7nQB8wXlA7lVH_91aSb1sZaBbOJJ9tAPAJc/s1600/AlHa0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI3TkIZT1514i9PhIXnLfRd0D1JQkObCdTKtqXOevegtBPYhdT6BRnV9JPi5U55wDn8LzGdHUAy1bpotTEx-XkBkoGmiOh0bEX7xGDoHe7nQB8wXlA7lVH_91aSb1sZaBbOJJ9tAPAJc/s320/AlHa0102.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.66px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
i struggled with what to say today. i stared at a blank screen trying to write this out seemingly every day. how do you describe someone that was your everything? that you shared every laugh with and every tear with. that you brought the most special girl into this world with and had the hanson tickle fights on the couch with. which always seemed to turn into malena and i versus alli and which i will admit now may not have been a fair fight like i told her it was. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
how do you describe the person you knew was the one from the very beginning? who you were essentially inseparable with from day one. where there were fireworks, literally and figuratively, exploding overhead when we kissed on one of our very first dates… granted it was the 4th of july so i may have had the deck stacked in my favor on that one. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
there isn’t just one story that i can tell that describes her because it was every story that made her who she was. she cared about every person and every story. that so many of you are here today is a testament to that. she was the kindest, most selfless, most loving person i have ever known. i have and will continue to love and miss her every day and i was truly the luckiest man in the world to be her husband. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
now i have a request. alli strived to bring more happiness into this world every single day. she would want all of us to help now in keeping that going. as everyone who has seen one of her out of office message at work knows, it takes an entire, gigantic team of people to do all that she did. i’m asking all of you to be that team. be a part of a happy mail campaign for someone that needs a smile; leave a candy bar to brighten a person’s day, buy that random person in line behind you a coffee, smile and ask someone how their day is going to make sure they know that people care about them. keep all those things that she did for people going. you all know she would do the same for you. </div>
<br />
-your loving husband<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-20627980227061009552019-02-10T16:44:00.004-08:002019-02-10T16:44:47.465-08:00Stories<div>
Thank you to all of you that have sent in their stories with Alli. I'm going to post the eulogies from the family at the celebration of life first then post all the great stories that people have sent it. To keep this on a more regular schedule I'm going to try and post 1 or 2 a week moving forward. If you haven't had a chance to email me a story but wanted to please still email it in. The email address again is Alli_Celebration@comcast.net. </div>
allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-40963607567268828952019-02-03T17:11:00.002-08:002019-02-03T17:14:42.961-08:00Alli's Helpers - Happy Mail facebook campaign page<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunq1Ke6QmhJsmmAqf-A_JqrJYSX-RVrDOXaZ0U4vk4P1nyQMQr-RFJTmN4RVLM5XfQ9eJCxmxWkFoceWY7mVgNsqT67HjCUJHMXizhBB3ygAv6EZ3zBEbrHveTIgNEtuHGVbM9xwBGX4/s1600/happy_mail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="960" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunq1Ke6QmhJsmmAqf-A_JqrJYSX-RVrDOXaZ0U4vk4P1nyQMQr-RFJTmN4RVLM5XfQ9eJCxmxWkFoceWY7mVgNsqT67HjCUJHMXizhBB3ygAv6EZ3zBEbrHveTIgNEtuHGVbM9xwBGX4/s320/happy_mail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">One of Alli's friends, Tracy, started a facebook page to keep the Happy Mail campaigns going. Please see her message below and sign up to help sending smiles around to make the world a happier place. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">"In
honor of Alli, please join Happy Mail Campaigns to keep her joy and love of
life flowing. A facebook page has been created...<a href="https://www.facebook.com/happymailcampaigns"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.facebook.com/happymailcampaigns</span></a> and
a couple of campaigns have already been initiated.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The
page is off to a good start, but Alli's army is huge, and we need help getting
the word out far and wide so Alli's magical happy mail is a success.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Please
spread the word to family, friends, Alli's fans and any kindhearted person you
know to like the page and to sign up for campaigns whenever possible. If
not on Facebook, e-mail HappyMailCampaigns@comcast.net .</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Campaign
details will be sent via e-mail, messenger, etc...no contact information will
be posted publicly.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Sending a happy
thoughts out into the world only takes a second and doesn't have to cost
much...in fact, it can be free if you send an e-mail :)...Alli wanted to good
vibes and mojo to flow, so let's be Alli's helpers and do this in homage to
her."</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-52335270391195444242019-01-16T07:44:00.001-08:002019-01-16T08:11:46.605-08:00Surreal and Celebration of Life/ Blog infoIt still seems so surreal. Like she has been on a vacation and should be walking through the door anytime now to give Malena and I a hug and a kiss. We have had some rough spots and some smiles as we take things day by day. I have gone to write a blog a couple times but I just can't seem to get my fingers to type what is going through my head. I'm sure part of that is that it does seem surreal, like a bad dream I should be waking up from, but if I write it down then it has happened. I keep thinking back to a blog Alli wrote long ago where she said something to the effect of its okay you don't know what to say I don't either. I'm sure I will get my fingers to type in the coming time, they just don't know what to say yet. <br />
<br />
I did want to share one detail with all of you about the celebration of life. Alli meant so much to so many people and you all meant so much to her. I want people to be able to share their stories of her; of all the nice things and inspiration she provided; of the interactions she had with people; of the amazing person she was from growing up, to school, to work... just everything in life. At an attempt of levity... although it might not be too far off... the challenge is we might be there for a week or longer if everyone she did a nice things for came up to say something. So at the celebration of life it will only be family speaking at the service but I still want people to be able to share and more importantly I want Malena to know all those stories people have with Alli and what she meant to everyone. <br />
<br />
The best solution I have to solve that challenge is to use this platform for sharing. In lieu of opening up the mic, I am going to open up the blog. If you have a story, an inspiration, a nice thing she did, etc that you wanted to share please email to Alli_Celebration@comcast.net. Include the blog title as well as the write-up with any pictures and I will start posting them here after the celebration of life. It doesn’t matter if they are short or long, as long as they are genuine that is what matters.<br />
<br />
I want Malena to be able to read about Alli, her stories, and her inspiration to others. When she has a bad day as a teenager or she has a milestone in her future that she wants to celebrate; I want her to be able to read about her mom if she thinks that will make her day better or to celebrate an accomplishment that much more. I always hear that we are telling our kids as a warning that what you but out on the internet lives forever. I hope that comes that is true for this. dallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-20338918784124859132019-01-09T12:45:00.000-08:002019-01-09T12:46:18.801-08:00Celebration of Life Details<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPJ12TJ-6N88C9i5HcBQTevErqHFhGGNqC5QhoXLzE9x4pg1wTP42AfbFs82tHxaT98yG0Q_E1dFsKyPmVzN4Y9EgcFU2AaNDiOdvtqW7ZBADOLCpIdZCZArbeTgbRQ0n_5U-Se-Jc2E/s1600/Allison_Hanson_picture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPJ12TJ-6N88C9i5HcBQTevErqHFhGGNqC5QhoXLzE9x4pg1wTP42AfbFs82tHxaT98yG0Q_E1dFsKyPmVzN4Y9EgcFU2AaNDiOdvtqW7ZBADOLCpIdZCZArbeTgbRQ0n_5U-Se-Jc2E/s400/Allison_Hanson_picture.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Alli's larger celebration of life will be held at 11:00am on January 26th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tacoma with a reception to follow. I did update the previous blog post as well but wanted to make sure a new post had the correct information. <br />
<br />
I<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">n lieu of flowers we are asking for donations to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA). </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Donations may be sent to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, P.O. Box 19023, Seattle, WA 98109-1023. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Checks may be made payable to SCCA with the indication that they are in the memory of Alli Hanson for melanoma research. You can also call (206) 606-2070 or (877) 308-3117 to make a donation by phone.</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-49392138515281564222019-01-08T21:36:00.003-08:002019-01-09T11:16:34.846-08:00Memorial Details<div>
We are trying to finalize details for Alli's celebration of life but wanted to share what the plan currently is. We are trying to make sure we have a place for her formal celebration of life that is large enough for all to attend and hoping to confirm that very soon. </div>
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The smaller graveside service will be held in Hoquim at Sunset Memorial Park this Friday, January 11th, at 2:00pm followed by a reception at Saron Lutheran-First Presbyterian Church; also in Hoquim. </div>
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<strike>The larger, formal celebration of life we will have in the Seattle/ Tacoma area most likely in early February. Once we have firm details on time and location I will post another blog on here to share the details. </strike><br />
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<b>UPDATE - Alli's larger Celebration of life will be held on at 11:00am on January 26th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tacoma (close to Pacific Lutheran University).</b> </div>
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Also, in lieu of flowers we are asking for donations to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA). <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Donations may be sent to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, P.O. Box 19023, Seattle, WA 98109-1023. </span>Checks may be made payable to SCCA with the indication that they are in the memory of Alli Hanson for melanoma research. You can also call (206) 606-2070 or (877) 308-3117 to make a donation by phone.allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-90723872987352054372019-01-01T19:18:00.000-08:002019-01-01T19:18:10.977-08:00Allison Dana Hanson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshgA6vMKlXToebgqmnodPAH_-6VJnkaBlgXDtpVIH0KMFimTvlV8MgcI_gRbUrcjPg5FZ1D1zK92pBnCpfcizMGLqubICCMHFJE5xXnE85r0i5vGd84jXUac3ImxDDJR89CMWZoSEfD8/s1600/365556E5-5FC6-4A67-8D73-0E2C5DAD5BE0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshgA6vMKlXToebgqmnodPAH_-6VJnkaBlgXDtpVIH0KMFimTvlV8MgcI_gRbUrcjPg5FZ1D1zK92pBnCpfcizMGLqubICCMHFJE5xXnE85r0i5vGd84jXUac3ImxDDJR89CMWZoSEfD8/s320/365556E5-5FC6-4A67-8D73-0E2C5DAD5BE0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Alli has put down her boxing gloves and is looking out over all of us from heaven. She was the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, co-worker you could ever imagine.allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-32647845379341313252018-12-27T19:42:00.000-08:002018-12-27T19:42:11.651-08:00Where we go from here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think I've tried starting this blog about 5 different ways. Maybe its just the realization that I'm having to write it that makes none of them read like they should. As Alli and I had said to each other before, this wasn't supposed to be our story but it is our story. </div>
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Alli's sodium levels have been stable enough that yesterday afternoon she no longer was deemed an ICU patient and today we were moved to a different floor in the general oncology area. Their best idea is that the seizures that Alli had triggered her brain to release a hormone that made her kidneys retain water when they shouldn't have been. As they retained more water she became more diluted, dropping her sodium levels lower and lower very rapidly. With a second anti-seizure medication she has not had any more seizures and she seems to be able to keep her sodium levels elevated where they should be. </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">While I'm sure the sodium contributed to the responsiveness over the weekend it was not the only factor to her mental and physical state right now. </span>Since Christmas Eve Alli has had some okay times and some not so good times. In the okay times she can have a little interaction for a couple minutes at a time. Her speech is still slurred and she struggles to find words or remember part of the conversation but it is so beautiful to hear her voice and hear "I love you" one more time. The not so good times she really has a hard time staying awake, isn't responsive, and has some restlessness and delirium. Regardless you always see moments where you can see it in her eyes that she knows exactly what she wants to say but her body just doesn't want to listen to actually do it. </div>
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Each day and hour seem to be different and oscillate between those states. Yesterday was a better day with more interactions and getting out of bed for the first time in almost a week. Today was not quite as good of a day with a lot of sleeping, very little interaction with others, and seemingly more headaches and nausea.</div>
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With the sodium issue figured out we needed to work through what to do about radiation with her oncologist and the radiation oncologist. No one could say they foresaw enough chance of a benefit from completing the radiation that it outweighed the risk that it would make Alli's condition regress to more pain, nausea, vomiting, and delirium. With that the doctors and I made the final decision to not move forward with the radiation. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">It was something I had discussed with the family yesterday but it was part of the hardest decisions I've had to make. </span></div>
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With no other treatments available and Alli not being in a mental or physical state to travel to a clinical trial in Texas we have started worked with palliative care on a care plan for outside the hospital. With the full time care that Alli needs for meds and physical support we are looking at different in-patient care/ hospice options that are close to our home. In addition to Alli's care needs, I made the decision based on what I think will be the best option for Malena in the future. When Malena and I had talked before we had talked about what could happen if Mom didn't get better. I never wanted to take away from all of the great memories we all had in our house; the laughter, the fun, the love we all shared together. I don't want those replaced or diminished with memories of nurses, hospital beds, medical beeps, alarms, etc with Mom and our house. </div>
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I'm not quite sure how we are going to get through the coming months but I know we will and I know it will involve the support of all of you. It has the last couple weeks as well as the last 8.5 years we have been fighting this terrible disease. Wherever we fight you fight. </div>
allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-49688147286165674012018-12-25T22:51:00.000-08:002018-12-25T22:51:31.095-08:00Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.</div>
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<br />allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-88554889665007820592018-12-24T20:58:00.002-08:002018-12-24T20:58:32.789-08:00Monday Update<div>
Last night was another rough night but hopefully one that ends today with Alli regaining more of her responsiveness. I went to sleep just after posting the blog and was hoping for a peaceful sleep for both of us. We didn't get that wish as the doctors woke me up at 3am and said that the most recent labs had shown Alli's sodium levels to have dropped a lot from the previous day and that they were having to move her to the ICU where they can provide the drugs and monitoring for patients that have that low of sodium. Not the wake up call we were wanting. </div>
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After moving her to ICU they started her on some meds to slowly raise her sodium levels back up. As her sodium levels have increase so has her responsiveness to everyone. I heard her say her first word in over 2 days at about 6am when she responded to a question from the ICU nurse. It was just a single word and was slurred but it was so nice to hear her voice again. As the day has progressed she has gotten more responsive to answering questions for the nurses and being able to have short interactions with people. Her speech is very slurred and she is searching for her words a lot but so much improved from the previous 2 days. Her team of doctors is now also every growing as she now has the ICU oncology team, the general oncology team, the radiation oncology team, the neurology team, and the nephrology team all consulting on her care. </div>
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Today also ends with more questions but not a lot of more answers. I think it is apparent that the sodium levels were contributing to her responsiveness. The reasons why her sodium level dropped so fast and how much her responsiveness will continue to improve remain a wait and see. With <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">the focus today being on improving her sodium levels they also cancelled her radiation treatments for the foreseeable future. If and when we restart the radiation gets added to the list of unanswered questions at this time. As I said yesterday it seems like for every answer we get, a new question or two appears. </span></div>
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But for this day I am going to focus on one answer we got today... that she is being more responsive and can have a short conversation. That is one of the best Christmas presents I could have ever wished for. I don't know what answers tomorrow and the next day and the day after that may bring but we will cross those bridges when we get to them. </div>
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On this Christmas Eve night Alli, Malena, and I would like to wish everyone a wonderful holidays filled with love, laughter, and joy. </div>
allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-24405934364100278172018-12-24T00:10:00.000-08:002018-12-24T00:10:13.802-08:00Alli Sunday Update<div>
This is going to be a fairly short update tonight as its late and in reality it seems like every day ends with as many if not more unknowns that it started with. What we do know now is that Alli actually had 10 seizures during the 16 or so hours they were doing the continuous EEG testing last night and into this morning. The seizure activity in her brain was not from her entire brain, but one specific section every time. From that they added a second anti-seizure medication to her ever growing daily medication list. </div>
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Alli has also not really been responsive over the last 36 hours. The doctors know the different possibilities as to why that is but unfortunately there isn't a test or scan or anything to say right now it is because of this single reason. The only definitive answer is that time will reveal what the answer was. My engineer brain understands that but also really doesn't understand that. I know what they are saying is rational but it has just been engrained in my mind that there is an answer to every problem. Plug the information into an equation and out pops the correct answer. I just wish I knew what that magic equation is for this problem.</div>
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We will talk with the doctors tomorrow morning and make a decision on if we move forward with the radiation tomorrow and there after and assess how these new medications are working. More to come.</div>
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Wherever she fights you fight.</div>
allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-14880771603995377972018-12-22T23:03:00.001-08:002018-12-22T23:06:57.991-08:00Family update and thank you<br />
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Alli
would <s>probably</s> definitely get mad at me if I only wrote about her while
I am in control of this blog and we all know I don't want her mad at me when we
get home. At a work meeting we were in together Alli once dropped the
line "Mr. Hanson should listen to Mrs. Hanson". I may not have listened
that time but I'm listening this time. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">As important
as it is to both Alli and I to be open and honest with Malena about everything it
has been equally, if not more, important to always keep things as “normal” as
we can for her.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>With all the tough
conversations these last two weeks have required it has been wonderful that
Malena has been able to have play dates with her best friend Tori and do many
of our annual traditions for this time of year.<span style="margin: 0px;">
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">Those
traditions included decorating a gingerbread house Tuesday when Alli got home and
going to Snowflake Lane last night.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Snowflake
Lane was bittersweet for all of us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There
were a couple of sad moments as you would expect but there were also so many smiles
and laughs throughout the night with the Estrada’s.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The telling the jokes, laughing at something
silly that was said, including Malena tossing out the idea that since the “snow”
is soap that being there should count as her shower, the just being a kid and a
family.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Cancer wasn’t going to stop
there being some fun for all of us in that moment.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;">On that note, I also want to thank
everyone for all the generosity and messages that we have gotten.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>From the happy mail to the text messages, from
the dinners to the GoFundMe page, and of course the amazing lip sync video. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They have all been received with appreciation,
laughter, tears, and joy, many all at the same time, from the entire family.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You all have truly epitomized and brought to
life her saying “wherever she fights, you fight” and we couldn’t do it without
all of you.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I may not get to replying to
every text and my better half has the card making skills I don’t possess but the
outreach and support has meant the world to me.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I want to end this blog with a heartfelt thank you.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-67457220576134034202018-12-22T10:40:00.001-08:002018-12-22T10:40:34.048-08:00Hospital UpdateLast night (Friday night) was not a good night. At 3:30am Alli had a seizure that lasted about 10 minutes. She was feeling nauseous and the nurse and I had just sat her up when she started to have the seizure. Her body straightened out as her muscles locked up.<br />
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She was essentially non-responsive for the next 3.5 hours until she started opening her eyes again about 7am. She has been opening her eyes off and on since then but is mumbling what words she does try and speak. They had scheduled a special Saturday radiation (normally its just Monday thru Friday) to make up for the one that she missed on Thursday to try and keep her on schedule and get through what we hope are the side effects as fast as we can. They took her down for the radiation treatment this morning but because of the seizure she isn't cognitive enough to lay still and not grab her head where the radiation is going. They had to call off the treatment because it just wasn't safe for her to be grabbing at her head while they are sending radiation to her brain.<br />
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We are waiting to talk with the neurology team today to get a little more info about the plan moving forward for treating the seizures and why she had a seizure last night. For her radiation we will talk with the radiation oncologist on Monday to see if we end it at 8 doses of radiation (don't do the radiation on Monday), 9 doses (do radiation on Monday and then stop), or if extend it to have a treatment on Christmas day or the day after to get the full 10 doses. <br />
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Need a few more prayers that she can recover from these last two seizures and the symptoms she has been having start going away as we take a break from radiation.<br />
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Where ever she fights you fight!allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-82015873159264200032018-12-21T10:21:00.002-08:002018-12-21T10:21:24.853-08:00Back to the hospital again<div>
Our time staying at home unfortunately ended again as Alli had to be re-admitted to the hospital late Thursday night. After the rough night at home on Tuesday night, Wednesday night was actually a little better. Alli tossed and turned all night so it wasn't great but she wasn't woken up by headaches or nausea. We got her up for breakfast and her first set of morning pills and she had a mild headache and a little nausea as she ate a little breakfast. She rested for about another hour then she had her second set of morning pills and started to get ready to head to her radiation appointment in the morning. As she was getting ready she started to feel worse and worse with nausea and a headache followed by vomiting every half hour or so. </div>
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After an hour of not getting any better we headed into UW and after seeing the radiation oncologist we headed to the ER instead of getting her radiation. The initial set of brain scans didn't show any new findings and no acute bleeding in the brain which was good. Her nausea and headaches weren't getting any better and then she had a seizure for a few long minutes while in the ER room. Between the seizure and the medicine they gave her just after the seizure she was stable but essentially non-responsive for about 3 hours before they were able to get her to open her eyes by squeezing her finger. The next 4 hours were monitoring her in the ER as they determined whether she was going to be admitted to the oncology unit or into the ICU. </div>
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So about 1am on Friday they admitted here to the general oncology unit. She is a little more responsive now but still has consistent headaches and nausea they are trying to control as best as they can. We haven't seen the doctors yet this morning to know what we think the next steps will be and if we think this is progression now or side effects of the radiation. She did seem to get worse as the week went by with the radiation going on during the week. She has had 7 of the 10 planned treatments so not sure if we will try and continue with her being inpatient or if we will stop. More to come.</div>
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Where ever she fights you fight! </div>
allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-86122466263820228142018-12-19T22:27:00.001-08:002018-12-19T22:27:27.846-08:00Home from the hospitalHospital stay #2 ended on Tuesday afternoon after her radiation appointment. It was great to be home and Malena was super excited to have Mom and Dad back home. Our first night at home was a rough night as Alli woke up at 3:00am with an excruciating headache. With her symptoms getting slightly worse again over the last two days there is more thought that the symptoms that triggered the second hospital visit may have been more related to potential radiation side effects. She has completed 7 of the 10 treatments completed so the plan is to try and push through with the last 3 treatments. We are going to step up some of the pain and nausea meds on a routine schedule to go with the higher dose of steroids she is on. Here's hoping tonight goes a little better for Alli. allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-5371099414469560412018-12-17T12:25:00.000-08:002018-12-17T12:25:35.243-08:00Hospital Update - Day 3Alli had a really good afternoon yesterday. She still had some speech and short term memory issues but she was awake and alert for over 6 hours, the most she has been in probably a couple weeks. She was also alert and with it enough that they let her start eating food again which is another great step. <br />
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In talking with the doctors this morning at rounds the plan is to keep going with the planned radiation treatments, including today. While she is on radiation they are also going to leave her on the higher dose of steroids to hopefully offset any issues from the radiation. A couple of the early bacterial infection cultures came back negative for an infection so they are giving them one more day before saying it wasn't an bacterial infection. The viral infection tests are still pending. <br />
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On some better news if she can keep improving as she as been then they think the goal would be to be discharged tomorrow (Tuesday) after her radiation treatment appointment. I know a certain 10 year old that would be ecstatic to have her mom back at home so we are focusing on that right now! allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-31147386474018273602018-12-16T14:30:00.000-08:002018-12-16T14:30:19.651-08:00Hospital Day 2Quick update on Alli. <br />
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She is better this morning as she has been talking for a couple short stints but is still sleeping the vast majority of time. When she is talking she still has very little short term memory and is struggling to find her words a lot. You can see in her eyes the frustration that she know exactly what she wants to say but that her mind just can't figure out how to get her mouth to say it. </div>
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They have been giving her a bunch of different medicines as they don't know what caused the symptoms to come back. They are giving her different short acting and long acting antibiotics, a much bigger dose of steroids, and a bigger dose of the anti-seizure medicines. They have the test back for one specific infection that was negative and are waiting for the cultures on a coupe other infection tests. If those come back negative they unfortunately don't have a test to say if this was a side effect of the radiation, disease progression in the brain, or some combination. Absent any infection finding, the radiation oncologist recommends that we keep going with the radiation tomorrow (Monday). Melanoma does not usually immediate react to radiation so the hope/ conjecture would be that if this was progression that this would be the delayed reaction to the radiation. Therefore it would be better to keep going and hope the radiation starts working soon. <br />
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Wherever she fights you fight! <br />
<br />allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-61783771056770255812018-12-15T11:41:00.003-08:002018-12-15T11:41:34.893-08:00Back to the hospitalAlli is back in ER (on Saturday) and being admitted to hospital. She got sick a couple times during the night then got really delirious at about 6am and still is delirious (about noon). They took a CT scan and it looked the same as last week. They cannot tell right now if the deliriousness was caused by disease progression, side effects from swelling of the brain from the radiation, or another infection that is being amplified by her brain metastasis.allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6718216986738485021.post-61093914198530338772018-12-13T22:09:00.001-08:002018-12-14T02:05:23.198-08:00HeartbreakWe have never hidden anything from Malena since she has gotten old enough to "understand" what was going on with Alli. I put quotes because I don't think I am old enough to "understand" what is going on now and I'm 40. <br />
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Since the doctors told us on Tuesday there had not been a good chance to talk with Malena about their prognosis but I did tell her tonight as I would never want her to hear it from anyone but us. To know you are going to break the heart of your daughter into a million pieces and tell her that mom is fighting like hell to beat the odds but you can't promise that she will is the hardest conversation I hope I ever have to have. I might forever question if I did it in the right way; did I say it too strong, not strong enough, did I say too much, not enough, could I have used different words... heartbreak<br />
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Alli completed her third radiation treatment today. She has been sleeping a lot since we have got home on Tuesday night, probably 20+ hours a day. Her nausea and headaches are still there but, knock on wood, they has been more on the mild side. She was able to awake for a little more tonight which allowed us to have a little family night watching the first episode of Top Chef on DVR. For a few moments it felt like what normal used to feel like. <br />
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More to come later. Wherever we fight, you fight!<br />
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-Barrett<br />
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<br />allihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11556506677146041213noreply@blogger.com7