Doing Better

Once again mom is beating the odds. After an active weekend of visiting with friends and family, she was feeling a little confined and feeling like she was stuck in these 2 rooms ... so she wanted to walk down the stairs to the basement to her apartment. After watching her walk so well with the walker, we decided..... what the heck.... why not! And she did. She walked down the stairs helped us unpack her suitcases (from after Missouri and before the hospital) found some books and information she had been concerned about, and went through some other stuff. The Nurse came and did all her dressing changes and her business also in the apartment, then she walked back up the stairs and to her room upstairs.... Without hesitation or getting out of breath. So, Yes she is doing quite well!!!

She also asked me to tell you that she is ready and willing to talk on the phone. When she first got sick she wasn't to excited about talking on the phone, and then the NG tube made her throat sore and she sounded awful and it hurt to talk, but now, all of that is over and she has her phone charged and ready to go. So if you want to talk to her.... she would be happy to oblige you :-)

Grandma and Sarah also discovered that they have the same great taste in shoes! Same brand, same size and everything.

She's up and about

And for Today..... Here she is doing her passion..... story writing.... she was ready to get started and wanted to do it NOW!! Show she is at it again. We love having her here.

Last weekend was a fun one with lots of company and activities going on. She got to watch 2 of her grandkids make quilts while they were entertaining themselves during the snowstorm.

If you notice she is up in the chair where she has spent a lot of time the last few days. She is also using her wheelchair (when she is tired) and her walker (when she want's exercise)

Her sisters decided that she was really doing so well that there was no need for them to hang around. So they went home on Monday and Sunday night and Monday morning they had a real great Sister's party with lots of laughs, giggles, story telling and tears. It has really been

Surprise!!

Sorry we haven't gotten anything posted since Thursday, but Mom is doing so well that we have been having to rethink what is happening and restructure the future. So.... More information and pictures will be coming, but for a quick update.....she is doing really well. Coming out to the family room to watch movies and look at blogs and pictures on the computer, walking a little from room to room, and now is wanting some of her history projects to keep her mind busy. So as you see, Mom is still Mom and we are loving having her around much longer than we had originally been told. YIPPEE!!!

Thursdays events

Today was a wonderful day for Mom. She woke up very frustrated that she was still here. She wants to go home so badly!!!
She has been very allert and busy. She got into her wheel chair and spent several hours there.
Shane, Celeste and girls, and also Derek came and visited with her. She asked for a blessing which they were happy to do for her.
Then she ventured into Jan's big overstuffed comfy recliner chair. She was able to relax and take a great nap.
After waking, there was a harpest that came and played for her. We all enjoyed the peaceful and relaxing strains of the harp.
She stood up with Jan for a while. They danced and laughed and enjoyed the exercise.
She is still amazing and beautiful and lively and full of her dry witt. She keeps us going and laughing!! What a blessing she is to us.

Mom's Testimony

Today while Shane and Celeste and also Derek were here, Mom was asked to share her
testimony before they left. Here is what she said:
"I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is the true church.
I know that this is his gospel. Jesus Christ stands at the head of it.
I know that Heavenly Father has a very special plan for each one of us.
I know He has one for me! I have seen in the last month the unfolding of His great plan.
Ever since I went to Missouri, my life has taken a complete turn. I saw things there that
I am now experiencing that would have been horrible if I hadn't been prepared.
I am the most blessed in the world. I have the greatest family. I Love everyone of them.
I have asked Jan over and over again 'what is my purpose here?' until she is sick of hearing
those words. But I finally understand what my purpose is. It is to tell everyone ~ Let everyone
know that Heavenly Father Loves them and that the church is His true church. That is what
I am to do is to make sure everyone knows that I know this!
And I will. In His sacred name, even Jesus Christ. AMEN!"

The Angels Are Among Us!

Mom recieves angels from around the country on a daily basis. The Guardian Angel Stitchers club in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin added Mom's name to their list of people who need angels. The angels have come from Florida, New York, Missouri, California and many states in-between. They range in sizes from a dime to 6 inches high and all come with notes of wisdom, blessings and love from the Guardian Angel Stitchers.

This picture is one of Mom's favorites, taken just before David passed away, with Christ imposed behind them. We put angels all over the picture so she can see her earthly angels as well as the eternal ones.

This photo shows how small the angels are, it's located inside the O of the picture.

This was made by Daryl, Mom's neice. It's about 6 inches tall.

Angels come in all colors and sizes

It's Tuesday, the 7th of October. Last night we thought Mom had decided to leave - all signs were there, but she came bouncing back, wanting to go for a walk, eat banana cream pie and have her favorite drink, Postum with canned milk, which Jan had in the house so we were able to get it for her. Although going for a walk was impossible, we were able to get her into a wheel chair today and put her at the front door so she could see out into the beautiful front yard that Janet has. She also wanted her hair done and make-up put on, so as she wished it was done.

Marti is here for the night along with her daughter Shauntay. Mom loves having her baby, Marti, around, it makes her smile. They have a great relationship as she does with all her children. We've been able to do webcam with Ray in Arizona a couple times now, keeping him up on what's going on.

Brent gives Mom a flower picked from his yard


Joan gives Mom a facial and does her make-up.













Three of the four living siblings, Doris, Ruth and Pete spend time daily with their sister. All have traveled from Arizona and Texas to visit and spend time as a family. What a great legacy, after 80 years, their still tight!

Sunday - an amazing day!

It's Monday at 11:45 AM and Mom is still sleeping since 9 PM last night. We believe it's because we just plain wore her out yesterday!

On Sunday Mom began the day by watching conference, one of her favorite things to do, but it was extra special because the camera men showed Janet singing in the choir 6 or 7 times, one pretty full faced. That's a record! Mom was very proud of Janet, as she always is, but how fun to see her so many times. It was the only session Jan sang in because she wanted to be at home with Mom.

All her children were around her all day, as well at 2 sisters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was bright, alert, funny, witty, inspiring and quite beautiful! We could hardly believe she was so awake and for so long, but we all loved spending time with her and everyone got the "alone" time that they wanted.

She really wanted to get up and go for a walk, but we didn't have the ability to do that for her with all the cords she's attached to, so we called Hospice, they brought over a wheelchair this morning, and if Mom is still up to it, we'll take her out for a bit.

It's hard to believe she is feeling so well without having any liquids or food since the IV was taken out last Friday. Her last meal was 2 weeks ago yesterday while in Missouri. What an amazingly tough and courageous Mom.

Stay tuned, we'll keep you updated!

Comfortable at home

Resting in a pile of pillows!

Mom left the hospital on Friday morning and is now resting comfortably at Janet's house, where she has been living. She's on the main floor in the piano room just off the front entrance. Jan lives in a very beautiful country type setting, like a cottage in the woods. Looking out the window she sees beautiful trees, listens to the magpies and smells the wonderful rain we've been getting all day.

She is being properly medicated as to have as much comfort as possible and yet still be conscious enough that she can tell us what she needs, communicate briefly with those around her and have all of her family just a room away and at her beck and call at anytime. She coughs, everyone jumps. Rarely is there less than 2 or 3 people around her bedside.

She's enjoying conference weekend. She was thrilled about the announcement of the new temples, but the thing that got her attention the most was when Ray announced he's make his family favorite 9 grain wheat pancakes for breakfast. Big grins all around. Although she's mainly eating yogurt and water, she loved the smell of the pancakes, bacon and eggs permeating the house. Smells of home. We love her!

Grandma wants her three Peterson Grandsons at the foot of her bed so she can see them.

Celeste Weekes - Feeling of Grandma

Betty Jo Speakman

A woman of strength, beauty and power,
Ready to help no matter the hour.
An angel on earth to guide and to love,
Betty Jo Speakman was sent from above.

Never to wander, question or doubt
The purpose in life and what it’s about.
She’s brilliant, funny, pretty galore...
How could anyone ask her for more?

Thank you, Dear Father, for sending her here!
To warm every heart that ever came near.
In each soul shines the love that she spread,
Inside our minds are the things she has said.

A piece of her spirit, her life and her touch,
live within those of us who have loved her so much.
In just a few words, we'll sum up her life,
Sister, Daughter, Mom, Friend Grandma and Wife.

Eternity awaits and so does Dad!

This picture was taken 20 years ago when Dad came home from work. He picked Mom up, swung her around and kissed her. Someone was close by with a camera and caught the moment. The picture has been one of their favorites and here it has been modified by her grand daughter to reflect what we anticipate will happen we they meet again very soon.

Mom is out of surgery. It wasn't' but a few minutes after she went in that the surgeon called us into a conference room and let us know he would not be able to do surgery on Mom. The Ovarian cancer has filled her abdomen and they are unable to get to the blockage, which by now there is more than one.

He put a tube into her stomach draining out her side so the tube in her nose going into her stomach could be removed and she would be more comfortable. She will be able to have liquids and liquid food until she passes away which could be a few days to the outside chance of a couple weeks.

Mom isn't back to the room yet from surgery, but we know she will stay here at the hospital probably two days then to Janet's for Hospice care.

We were somewhat prepared for the results we received, but it doesn't lesson the pain. Our hearts are broken, but we are excited for her to join Daddy, David, Jared (Marti's son) Matthew (Lori's grandson) her brother Boyd, who passed away 2 weeks ago, and of course her amazing parents, who were responsible for raising such an amazing daughter.

Please feel free to send any well wishes here.
Janet's address:
6890 S. 475 East
South Weber, Ut
84405

Thanks for all your love and concern - Mom loves us one and all.

Off to OR..... finally

As a little surprise, they called early this morning and said they were coming for her @ 7am!! And so they did. At 7 on the dot they came and wheeled her down to pre-op, and at 8:30 she was on her way to the operating room. The Anesthesiologist (I sure hope I spelled that right) was very positive. We ask if there was a problem on the table what would be the procedure. He said he did not anticipate any problems AT ALL. He said that with the way her eyes look, her alertness, her history and all things considered.... he felt very calm and optimistic. Which in turn gave relief to most of our worries.

We will continue to keep you up to date.

It's a party!

Mom is adamant about having a party, and she wants to be part of it. So while waiting around for the surgeons and staff to help her out, we just bring in more food, balloons and flowers. Unfortunately she can't eat anything, but doesn't seem to mind that we are eating our selves sick as we hang around her room. She's still the most amazing woman we know!

Marti's kids Zac, Brandon and Shauntay hang out with their Grandma.

Maggie Jo and Grandma Janet have playtime.

Brent (Janet's husband) and Ray are the patriarcal leaders

Cute Lori is contemplative and brilliant

She's loud, obnoxious and crazy, but she's fun! Some things never change, Joan just hangs out.

Mom's little sister Doris came for a visit!

Only the amazing Betty Speakman could still be smiling after 10 days of not eating, 5 days with a tube down her throat, and having her much needed surgery cancelled only moments before being given the IV. What an elegant and gracious woman.

Sure Love Ya!

Surgery has been delayed

Mom was in pre-op and ready to go, when a Level one Trauma Alert was called. Unfortunately, Dr Alder is the Dr on the trauma team. So we were put on hold. The Trauma was a young lady with multiple stab wounds. As it turned out, we were sent back to the room because the Dr anticipate it would take him at least 3 hours to patch her up. 3 hours later, he said it would be another 2. We were given the option of 10 or 11 pm for the surgury (after a full day in surgery already!!) or 10 or 11 tomorrow morning. Guess which one we chose!! So, as of now, Mom is scheduled for surgery tomorrow. We will let you know if anything changes.