Today we laid my best friend, the love of my life to rest. The pain is over for her. I shall have a great emptyness. I am fortunate to have the two daughters I do. Kathy taught them well.
The service at Christ Chuch Catedral was incredible, fit for royalty. Kathy clearly had an impact on many in her far too short time serving the people at CCC, in the Diocese of BC, and in Victoria. The girls and I were overwhelmed by the outpouring of praise for Kathy and the deep sorrow for her loss.
The stop in Campbell River was not what I expected. I should have known a simple opportunity to say goodbye would not do. It was wonderful. A history lesson I think best describes it. We have been in CR for 30 years and I believe all those years were represented. Our work. Our service. Our play. Many wonderful stories were told and many tears were shed.
I thank you all for your sharing your stories with us and for your expressions of sympathy.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
KATHY
Reverend Kathryn Hoodikoff, nee Parton
April 8, 1952 to June 19, 2008
Kathy passed away with husband Doug, and daughters Anastasia (Stacie) and Marissa at her side, ending a gallant battle with cancer.
Kathy grew up an “army brat” with her brothers John, Mike and Tom, and sister Lisa. She started her first job at Scotiabank at 17 and her hard work and dedication paid off when she was promoted to the position of a branch manager. Kathy was very passionate about helping others, so she ventured out on her own as a financial planner working with the Campbell River Hospital Foundation and the Anglican Church. This was the first step in her call to the Priesthood. After much discernment and a first and second battle with cancer, Kathy enrolled at VST in the Masters of Divinity program to work towards becoming an ordained priest. Kathy was ordained a Deacon in the fall of 2007 and a Priest in February of 2008 at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria. There she began her ministry as an Assistant Curate. This was also the beginning of her final battle with cancer.
Kathy touched many people throughout her life and through her various careers. She will always be loved and remembered as a wife, mother, sister, priest, and friend. She put her whole self into everything she did and had a great sense of humour. Even in her lowest moments, Kathy always had a smile and kind word for others.
A very special thank you to Dr Michels and the nurses and staff at the Victoria Cancer Clinic and Royal Jubilee Hospital for their compassionate efforts.
Service to be held at Christ Church Cathedral on Tuesday, June 24 at 2:00pm. This will be followed by a prayer service at St. Peter's in Campbell River on June 25 at 1:00 pm followed by internment.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the church or charity of your choice
April 8, 1952 to June 19, 2008
Kathy passed away with husband Doug, and daughters Anastasia (Stacie) and Marissa at her side, ending a gallant battle with cancer.
Kathy grew up an “army brat” with her brothers John, Mike and Tom, and sister Lisa. She started her first job at Scotiabank at 17 and her hard work and dedication paid off when she was promoted to the position of a branch manager. Kathy was very passionate about helping others, so she ventured out on her own as a financial planner working with the Campbell River Hospital Foundation and the Anglican Church. This was the first step in her call to the Priesthood. After much discernment and a first and second battle with cancer, Kathy enrolled at VST in the Masters of Divinity program to work towards becoming an ordained priest. Kathy was ordained a Deacon in the fall of 2007 and a Priest in February of 2008 at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria. There she began her ministry as an Assistant Curate. This was also the beginning of her final battle with cancer.
Kathy touched many people throughout her life and through her various careers. She will always be loved and remembered as a wife, mother, sister, priest, and friend. She put her whole self into everything she did and had a great sense of humour. Even in her lowest moments, Kathy always had a smile and kind word for others.
A very special thank you to Dr Michels and the nurses and staff at the Victoria Cancer Clinic and Royal Jubilee Hospital for their compassionate efforts.
Service to be held at Christ Church Cathedral on Tuesday, June 24 at 2:00pm. This will be followed by a prayer service at St. Peter's in Campbell River on June 25 at 1:00 pm followed by internment.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the church or charity of your choice
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Thank you to each and every one of you for your continuing love, prayers, and support.
Mom is still in the hospital, and it is beginning to seem as though she may be staying there. Yesterday's biopsy revealed that the cancer originated from her bladder cancer from 2003. Unfortunately chemotherapy would be the treatment of choice, but Mom is too weak to survive its toxic effects. The possibility of radiation therapy to her hip and shoulder were discussed, but that would only be if her strength improved. And it would only be to reduce her pain - there is no cure for this beast.
The nurses and doctors have been wonderful. Mom is getting fairly good pain control there, and everything else she needs is there too. We would hope to have her come home once her symptoms are under control, but that may or may not happen. Until then she is to be given a bed on the Hospice unit upstairs. Which would mean a private room (right now there are five patients in her room) and caregivers who specialize in providing comfort physically, emotionally, and spiritually during the dying process. We have been told that we only have a couple weeks left with Mom, if that, so a private, peaceful environment like a Hospice room would be ideal.
Stacie is flying back from Calgary tomorrow morning. I'm thankful that we can all, family and friends, come together to support each other and Mom.
Mom is still in the hospital, and it is beginning to seem as though she may be staying there. Yesterday's biopsy revealed that the cancer originated from her bladder cancer from 2003. Unfortunately chemotherapy would be the treatment of choice, but Mom is too weak to survive its toxic effects. The possibility of radiation therapy to her hip and shoulder were discussed, but that would only be if her strength improved. And it would only be to reduce her pain - there is no cure for this beast.
The nurses and doctors have been wonderful. Mom is getting fairly good pain control there, and everything else she needs is there too. We would hope to have her come home once her symptoms are under control, but that may or may not happen. Until then she is to be given a bed on the Hospice unit upstairs. Which would mean a private room (right now there are five patients in her room) and caregivers who specialize in providing comfort physically, emotionally, and spiritually during the dying process. We have been told that we only have a couple weeks left with Mom, if that, so a private, peaceful environment like a Hospice room would be ideal.
Stacie is flying back from Calgary tomorrow morning. I'm thankful that we can all, family and friends, come together to support each other and Mom.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Monday evening
Good day fell apart.
Called in to see oncologist. Brain scan revealed lesions. Kath admitted to hospital. Blood levels poor. Need to build her up prior to treatment.
Called in to see oncologist. Brain scan revealed lesions. Kath admitted to hospital. Blood levels poor. Need to build her up prior to treatment.
Monday, June 16th
Well what started out as a quiet , peaceful weekend ended up on a rather busy note.
Friday we had the home care group come and get a blood sample and then off to RJH for xrays. Both needed to plan treatment.
Saturday was quiet, we even went out for lunch. Sunday was not. Kath awoke in great pain and we were not able to get it under control. Called out home care team and got just excellent response.
After much poking, questioning and consulting with Dr on call it was decided to discontinue patches and pills and go to injection. Relief came very quickly. We had a pleasant evening and a good night. We give injections every 4 hours.
This morning has started well. Sunshine and flowers are beautiful. Looking forward to a good day.
Thank you to all who are leaving words of encouragement.
Friday we had the home care group come and get a blood sample and then off to RJH for xrays. Both needed to plan treatment.
Saturday was quiet, we even went out for lunch. Sunday was not. Kath awoke in great pain and we were not able to get it under control. Called out home care team and got just excellent response.
After much poking, questioning and consulting with Dr on call it was decided to discontinue patches and pills and go to injection. Relief came very quickly. We had a pleasant evening and a good night. We give injections every 4 hours.
This morning has started well. Sunshine and flowers are beautiful. Looking forward to a good day.
Thank you to all who are leaving words of encouragement.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Thursday June 12th
I spent some time at the Cancer Clinic today getting some concerns addressed. We now know there is a plan and things are moving along.
Blood tests and xrays tomorrow. CT scan Tuesday and Oncologist appointment Thursday.
Many wonderful, caring people at the CC.
Blood tests and xrays tomorrow. CT scan Tuesday and Oncologist appointment Thursday.
Many wonderful, caring people at the CC.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Wednesday June 11th
Cancer Clinic called today. Appointment Thursday next week. Long wait is going to be tough.
Tuesday June 10th
Visit from Home Support Nurse. Quite an experience. Many services available. Still waiting for call from Cancer Clinic.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Very busy day today. Appointment at Vic General at 8:30 am for a much needed blood transfusion. Mom received two bags of blood and by the end had a lot more color in her face and was feeling a little more perky. We arrived back home mid afternoon, had a quick nap and then Auntie Lisa, Uncle Mike and Auntie Gail came for a visit.
Marissa spoke to the cancer clinic today - Mom has an appointment on the 18th to have a PICC inserted. No word from Dr. Michaels' re more tests - hopefully we'll hear back tomorrow.
Stacie
Marissa spoke to the cancer clinic today - Mom has an appointment on the 18th to have a PICC inserted. No word from Dr. Michaels' re more tests - hopefully we'll hear back tomorrow.
Stacie
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Background
Kath took quite ill at Christmas. We thought it was the flu and may well have been but it seems it was the beginning of a slide.
In January she took a fall in the kitchen and injured her hip. Those who attended her priesting will find it hard to believe but she was in great pain. Being Kathy, she soldiered on refusing to give in to the pain.
After many trips to physio and repeated kidney infections we decided it was time for an MRI. This prompted her doctor to order a CT scan to see what the problem was. Little did we know the road it would lead us down.
An appointment with the surgeon who did the original bladder surgery was next. He did not have the scan results yet but phoned the hospital for results. Big bomb. Growths in liver, lungs and abdomen.
After several trips to RJH hospital emergency for what seemed to us as confused reasons, we finally ended up at the Cancer Clinic seeing an oncologist on June 5th. Lengthy discussion and much prodding. Gist of it is Kathy is very sick. We need to build her up strength and determine which cancer metastasized so treatment can begin.
June 6th was another trip to the hospital for blood tests, liver biopsy and brain scan. Biopsy did not go well so no sample was obtained. Scan was done without dye due to concern regarding kidneys.
This leaves us where we still have not identified the cancer.
In January she took a fall in the kitchen and injured her hip. Those who attended her priesting will find it hard to believe but she was in great pain. Being Kathy, she soldiered on refusing to give in to the pain.
After many trips to physio and repeated kidney infections we decided it was time for an MRI. This prompted her doctor to order a CT scan to see what the problem was. Little did we know the road it would lead us down.
An appointment with the surgeon who did the original bladder surgery was next. He did not have the scan results yet but phoned the hospital for results. Big bomb. Growths in liver, lungs and abdomen.
After several trips to RJH hospital emergency for what seemed to us as confused reasons, we finally ended up at the Cancer Clinic seeing an oncologist on June 5th. Lengthy discussion and much prodding. Gist of it is Kathy is very sick. We need to build her up strength and determine which cancer metastasized so treatment can begin.
June 6th was another trip to the hospital for blood tests, liver biopsy and brain scan. Biopsy did not go well so no sample was obtained. Scan was done without dye due to concern regarding kidneys.
This leaves us where we still have not identified the cancer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
