Grandma Minnie went to be with Jesus last night. Even though we know she's in a better place, we tend to be selfish and wish she could be around longer just for us. My mom and I leave tomorrow morning for Pella, IA for the funeral and my dad will follow us in the early afternoon. The viewing is Friday night and the funeral will be Saturday at 1:30pm.
Please remember our family in your prayers-- safe travels, precious memories, and comfort for all of us. Those who will be there, but also those who aren't able to make it.
Grandma-- you will be remembered with honor and will forever be dearly missed. Love you!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Grandma Minnie De Jong
My family got a call last Tuesday that Grandma wasn't doing well. Her heart rate and blood pressure were EXTREMELY low and she was also somewhat dehydrated. My mom flew out to Pella, IA the next morning to be able to say her goodbyes in case anything happened.
The doctors were able to raise her heart rate and blood pressure, as well as work on an infection she had. They got her hydrated through and IV, but could not get rid of the nausea she was having. After a couple days in the hospital and not being able to get much down, the doctors asked if she wanted to have a feeding tube placed. She decided that just was not a way to live, and instead of agreeing, she decided to avoid any "heroic measures."
Today, she is very tired and is still in the hospital, but under hospice care. She will most likely be transferred to a comfort house tomorrow as long as there is an opening. My mom is still there and probably will be through the middle of this week. She told me that Grandma still has her good old sense of humor, which is great to hear, but that she continues to get more fatigued as the days go by. The doctors and nurses aren't sure if that is her body shutting down, or just because of the many visitors and the busyness of the last week.
Please pray for our family as we go through this hard waiting period, but also pray for Grandma-- that she will be comfortable through all of this and that she will be able to meet Jesus peacefully in His time.
Grandma Minnie and Me at Leslie's Wedding last summer
Auntie Carol, Mom, Auntie Judy, Grandma, Uncle Bob, and Auntie Lois
*** Not pictured: Auntie Linda & Grandpa***
Thank you for your prayers and support,
Emily
The doctors were able to raise her heart rate and blood pressure, as well as work on an infection she had. They got her hydrated through and IV, but could not get rid of the nausea she was having. After a couple days in the hospital and not being able to get much down, the doctors asked if she wanted to have a feeding tube placed. She decided that just was not a way to live, and instead of agreeing, she decided to avoid any "heroic measures."
Today, she is very tired and is still in the hospital, but under hospice care. She will most likely be transferred to a comfort house tomorrow as long as there is an opening. My mom is still there and probably will be through the middle of this week. She told me that Grandma still has her good old sense of humor, which is great to hear, but that she continues to get more fatigued as the days go by. The doctors and nurses aren't sure if that is her body shutting down, or just because of the many visitors and the busyness of the last week.
Please pray for our family as we go through this hard waiting period, but also pray for Grandma-- that she will be comfortable through all of this and that she will be able to meet Jesus peacefully in His time.
Grandma Minnie and Me at Leslie's Wedding last summer
Auntie Carol, Mom, Auntie Judy, Grandma, Uncle Bob, and Auntie Lois*** Not pictured: Auntie Linda & Grandpa***
Thank you for your prayers and support,
Emily
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The New Hugen Addition...
TREY ANDREW HUGEN
8 lbs. 3 oz., 20 1/2 inches
Look at those feet! He's a Hugen!My sister-in-law, Jessica, gave birth to her and Andy's son, Trey Andrew Hugen today (June 11, 2009) at 10:16am. Jessica and Trey are both doing wonderfully and Andy has been of great support to Jess-- he's jumped right in as Trey's daddy. I can't believe I'm really Auntie Em! Looking forward to seeing this little man again tomorrow!
Auntie Em with Trey
Nana was just BEAMING holding Trey
Proud Papa!
Proud Papa!
Papa Hugen & I just can't get enough!!Monday, June 1, 2009
Home Safe and Sound....
My best friend, Beth, and I got home safely on Saturday morning. We were able to get our rental care back on time and now it's time to unpack and start studying like MAD for my nursing boards. I am scheduled for jury duty this week, but didn't have to go in today. I'll be calling the rest of the week to see if I have to report. We'll see. Otherwise, I'll be studying all day, every day. I'll post again soon with more details about the trip and possibly some pictures. :)
Sunday, May 17, 2009
DONE WITH FINALS!!!!!!
I have completed all my finals and am officially DONE with Calvin College! I finished my last exam this past Friday afternoon and it has been so nice to have nothing hanging over my head this weekend. I'll be packing up my things, selling my furniture, and getting ready to walk across Calvin's commencement stage this coming Saturday. Beth Punt, my best friend, is flying out on Wednesday morning and my parents are heading out here on Wednesday evening. It'll be good to have them all here for such a special weekend!
I'm blessed to have a second family out here in MI, and I'm so glad I get to share the events of this week (Nursing Pinning and Graduation) with them. Some of my brother-in-law's family are able to make it to pinning, some close family friends, an aunt and uncle, and of course my parents, Kate and Ry, and Beth. Can't wait for the festivities!! :)
Packin' up and gettin' ready to head home to CA!!!
I'm blessed to have a second family out here in MI, and I'm so glad I get to share the events of this week (Nursing Pinning and Graduation) with them. Some of my brother-in-law's family are able to make it to pinning, some close family friends, an aunt and uncle, and of course my parents, Kate and Ry, and Beth. Can't wait for the festivities!! :)
Packin' up and gettin' ready to head home to CA!!!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Stress
The stress is definitely building up now. I am feeling overwhelmed with the workload I have before me and especially with a couple computerized tests I have that are supposed to be predictors of how I will do on my nursing boards this summer. I'm just praying I get everything done in a timely manner and that God will give me the peace I need to complete those tests to the best of my ability. Please pray!!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The past couple weeks...
The past couple weeks have been pretty good out here in MI. The weather has been getting warmer, more sunny (with the exception of some rain and T-storms), and spring is finally developing! :) Now THAT is my kind of weather!
School continues to be busy with projects here and there. My clinical is going well; however, I'm getting ready to be done with the community work we're doing and get back into the hospital. Last weekend, my community nursing class worked at a clean up day at the community center. (Pictures below) Most of us worked on bringing mulch to all of the planters and into the garden with wheel barrels and then spreading it all out. It was a beautiful day! Unfortunately, while taking the last trip up the stairs, lifting wheel barrel, my back was tweaked somehow. I've been having back spasms ever since, and within the last few days I've been having some numbness/tingling in my legs. It gets better with movement, but as soon as I calm down again, it tightens up again and seems to be pinching a nerve. Since it's only been getting worse and the ibuprofen doesn't seem to do much anymore, I'm heading to health services in the afternoon tomorrow (hopefully) so I can get a prescription for an anti-spasmotic or a referral of some sorts. Please pray that the pain is relieved soon so I can sleep better and continue to be active outside. I hate having to avoid activity... especially when it's so nice out!
(L-R: Me, Laura, Professor Beth Gordon, Christi, Sara, & Valerie)
Last Sunday, I got to hang out with Kate and Ryan for the day. We went to church, out to lunch, and then vegged all day. It was nice to have some quality time with them for a day. :)
One of my housemates, Jessica, had a wedding shower today. It was so fun to be with all the girls and to celebrate all together. Her mom and a couple of her sisters came out from Saginaw, MI, so it was nice to see them as well.
This week, I have academic advising on Tuesday and Wednesday, so it will be a nice break from clinical in the middle of the week. I have a couple presentations tomorrow, but the rest of the week should be a breeze! :)
Graduation was 4 weeks away as of yesterday... we're all getting so excited, but we're also getting very sentimental and wanting to spend good quality time with each other. It'll be nice to be done with school, but strange to start something new all over again!
For now,
Emily
School continues to be busy with projects here and there. My clinical is going well; however, I'm getting ready to be done with the community work we're doing and get back into the hospital. Last weekend, my community nursing class worked at a clean up day at the community center. (Pictures below) Most of us worked on bringing mulch to all of the planters and into the garden with wheel barrels and then spreading it all out. It was a beautiful day! Unfortunately, while taking the last trip up the stairs, lifting wheel barrel, my back was tweaked somehow. I've been having back spasms ever since, and within the last few days I've been having some numbness/tingling in my legs. It gets better with movement, but as soon as I calm down again, it tightens up again and seems to be pinching a nerve. Since it's only been getting worse and the ibuprofen doesn't seem to do much anymore, I'm heading to health services in the afternoon tomorrow (hopefully) so I can get a prescription for an anti-spasmotic or a referral of some sorts. Please pray that the pain is relieved soon so I can sleep better and continue to be active outside. I hate having to avoid activity... especially when it's so nice out!
(L-R: Me, Laura, Professor Beth Gordon, Christi, Sara, & Valerie)
One of my housemates, Jessica, had a wedding shower today. It was so fun to be with all the girls and to celebrate all together. Her mom and a couple of her sisters came out from Saginaw, MI, so it was nice to see them as well.
This week, I have academic advising on Tuesday and Wednesday, so it will be a nice break from clinical in the middle of the week. I have a couple presentations tomorrow, but the rest of the week should be a breeze! :)
Graduation was 4 weeks away as of yesterday... we're all getting so excited, but we're also getting very sentimental and wanting to spend good quality time with each other. It'll be nice to be done with school, but strange to start something new all over again!
For now,
Emily
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