Greetings friends and family;
In spite of all we are dealing with today was a good day. While none of us got much sleep last night we gathered together at about 10 to have some breakfast together at one of Larry's favorite nearby places: Biscuits Cafe. Sherry, Melody and I, our daughter Kaity, and Sherry's sister Charlene went as well as my (Steve's) mother Helen and sister Kathy. It was a great time - lots of laughs. We then ventured back to the apartment and hung out for a while. Sherry's granddaughter who is attending Portland State University, came down for the afternoon and evening.
Sherry's Pastor Gil Sr and Pastor Gil Jr along with their wives came by to interact with the family a bit - share some encouraging words and to pray. Sherry also talked with Pastor Gil Sr. about the memorial service (details to come soon).
Sherry's employer, Ash Creek Associates, was having a company bowling party today. We thought it would be good for Sherry to get out of the house so we took her over to the party for a little while. She was loved on by so many great people that she works with. Many of them knew and loved Larry.
After leaving the bowling alley we stopped at another of Larry's favorites, the Macaroni Grill, for a quick bite of dinner. This time it was just Sherry, Melody, Emily, Kaity and myself. Sherry got to talk with one of Larry's favorite bartenders (Heather) to tell her the news of Larry's passing.
We got back to the apartment at about 6:30 and Sherry went straight to bed where she will likely stay until morning. She deserves and very much needs a good nights rest.
Sherry has had lots of phone calls from folks as the news is getting out. It is very encouraging to her as are the comments you all are leaving on this blog.
More details to come...
Steve (for the family)
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
In The Presence Of The Lord
At 9:28 pm, April 9, 2010, Larry James Cameron was ushered into the presence of the Lord. He went fighting. Melody, Kaity and I were able to spend about 15 minutes with him - telling him we loved him and that we would take care of Sherry. Sherry's sisters April, Cathy and her husband Bill and Charlene were here as well. It is a difficult night, but we rejoice that he is not suffering anymore. To see him laying peacefully with a puppy under his arm is a beautiful sight.
Thanks for your love. As soon as decisions are made regarding any type of service, we will let you know.
The family
Thanks for your love. As soon as decisions are made regarding any type of service, we will let you know.
The family
The Time Has Come...
Dear Family and Friends,
At approximately 4:00 today Larry was given only a few short hours to remain on this earth. Obviously Hospice came at the right time. Family is gathering at the apartment tonight for prayer and vigil as Larry "graduates" from this life to the next ~ whenever that officially takes place.
Melody and I along with Larry's granddaughter Kaity, are headed to Portland right now as soon as we get Melody stabilized for the trip. Should we not arrive in time, we will rest in knowing that Melody was able to say goodbye via phone about an hour ago. Sherry held the phone to Larry's ear, Melody said her goodbye's. Larry opened his eyes at hearing her voice. It was the first time all day Larry showed any response and opened his eyes. Thus is the love between a daughter and her father. Kaity was also able to say goodbye to her grandpa. Larry responded then as well. Greg, Larry's son will be in Oregon on Thursday from Tennessee.
Thanks for your prayers for the family tonight and the impact you have all had in Larry's life on earth. Maybe he will hang on for a little while longer - but we would sure like him to stop suffering.
Love,
Steve and Melody - for the family.
At approximately 4:00 today Larry was given only a few short hours to remain on this earth. Obviously Hospice came at the right time. Family is gathering at the apartment tonight for prayer and vigil as Larry "graduates" from this life to the next ~ whenever that officially takes place.
Melody and I along with Larry's granddaughter Kaity, are headed to Portland right now as soon as we get Melody stabilized for the trip. Should we not arrive in time, we will rest in knowing that Melody was able to say goodbye via phone about an hour ago. Sherry held the phone to Larry's ear, Melody said her goodbye's. Larry opened his eyes at hearing her voice. It was the first time all day Larry showed any response and opened his eyes. Thus is the love between a daughter and her father. Kaity was also able to say goodbye to her grandpa. Larry responded then as well. Greg, Larry's son will be in Oregon on Thursday from Tennessee.
Thanks for your prayers for the family tonight and the impact you have all had in Larry's life on earth. Maybe he will hang on for a little while longer - but we would sure like him to stop suffering.
Love,
Steve and Melody - for the family.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
"Takin' A Walk Thru Glory"
Having read the title to this chapter of the blog, "Takin' A Walk Thru Glory", some may have thought that Larry had indeed moved on. He hasn't yet - these are just a few of the simple words he spoke today aloud to Sherry. He is slowly slipping away. Today was rough - pretty much the daily expectation, I guess. Sherry remains externally strong amidst the sorrow she feels deep inside her soul as she watches her best friend sleep~breathe~sleep~breathe. His comfort and rest come from being held in the arms of his Savior - the One gently preparing to carry him home forever. Well, that and a few drops of morphine on the tongue are pretty helpful, too! Larry also muttered "I don't know all these people". Perhaps he was envisioning himself walking through the gates of heaven and seeing the crowds who had come to welcome him home. Larry is such a great friend to so many.
Hospice will be coming by the house on Friday at 1:30 to check on Larry and discuss his care. Sherry has asked a couple of her sisters if they could be there with her so she does not have to try and understand the process alone. We are proud of Sherry for asking for this help. Sherry has said that with the care she is able to give Larry she can tell that his systems are starting to slowly shut down. I cannot imagine being in her place right now. She also says that he is showing signs similar to when her mother passed away several years ago.
Larry and Sherry's son Greg will be here next Thursday. Originally he was going to come out in two weeks, but as things are now, the family felt it necessary to get him out here sooner. Sherry told Larry that Greg would be out in a couple weeks and could he hold on until then. Larry quietly replied, "no". Larry knows his time is short.
We wanted to express our thanks to the pastors who have come by for a visit and to pray. It is so refreshing to know that the family of God is joining together to care for this deeply hurting couple.
Well that's about it for tonight. We will update Friday night as soon as we hear about hospice. Melody and I, along with our daughter Kaity, are planning on driving to Portland Saturday afternoon to spend some time with Larry assuming Melody is able to make the trip. We need him to know we love him and that he has clearance to let go of this world and go "take a walk in glory". Sounds profound, but Larry never listened to me before, why start now!!
Until next time....
Steve (for the family)
Hospice will be coming by the house on Friday at 1:30 to check on Larry and discuss his care. Sherry has asked a couple of her sisters if they could be there with her so she does not have to try and understand the process alone. We are proud of Sherry for asking for this help. Sherry has said that with the care she is able to give Larry she can tell that his systems are starting to slowly shut down. I cannot imagine being in her place right now. She also says that he is showing signs similar to when her mother passed away several years ago.
Larry and Sherry's son Greg will be here next Thursday. Originally he was going to come out in two weeks, but as things are now, the family felt it necessary to get him out here sooner. Sherry told Larry that Greg would be out in a couple weeks and could he hold on until then. Larry quietly replied, "no". Larry knows his time is short.
We wanted to express our thanks to the pastors who have come by for a visit and to pray. It is so refreshing to know that the family of God is joining together to care for this deeply hurting couple.
Well that's about it for tonight. We will update Friday night as soon as we hear about hospice. Melody and I, along with our daughter Kaity, are planning on driving to Portland Saturday afternoon to spend some time with Larry assuming Melody is able to make the trip. We need him to know we love him and that he has clearance to let go of this world and go "take a walk in glory". Sounds profound, but Larry never listened to me before, why start now!!
Until next time....
Steve (for the family)
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
A Little Closer To Home...
What a day. There is much to update tonight so I will try to do it as clearly as possible while I struggle in my own heart the ramifications of it all.
Today Larry went to see his doctor...for the last time. I am to understand that he said "goodbye" to his doctors and nurses since the plan, at this time, is to stop the chemo and any other treatments as they have become ineffective. The doctors have called Hospice and Larry and Sherry should get a call from Hospice in the next day or so to get all of that set up. For now, hospice will come to Larry. At some point he may be taken to Hopewell House which is a fantastic Hospice House in Portland. Sherry's mother was at Hopewell in her final days several years ago. A wonderful facility. Larry is in pain and is having trouble breathing so the doctor prescribed some morphine drops that Sherry is to put on his tongue. This gives him some comfort from the pain and allows him to rest and breath a little easier. He is using oxygen. Larry did take a fall today in the house when they got back from the doctor. Fortunately, Chuck and Charlene were there to assist in getting him up and into his comfy chair.
Sherry had a doctors appointment this afternoon as well. At this point her doctor believes her recent symptoms are due to "stress and trauma in her life". Really?? Ya think??!! Her issues could be related to other things but with all that Sherry is dealing with right now, her doctor felt she will be okay in time as this situation with Larry runs its course. They will touch base later this year.
The doctors have recommended that Larry and Sherry should immediately seek out assisted living. They are at a point where they can't take care of each other let alone themselves. It would relieve a huge burden from Sherry by being in a place that she could get a little help if needed - if she fell, or needed help getting in and out of her power chair. etc. Until real recently Larry helped with all that - but those days are gone. The thought of moving them right now seems crazy, but as I stated in an earlier post - we will do whatever is best for the two of them to enjoy their remaining time together. Sherry is looking into a place in Canby, OR, which is close to where Chuck and Charlene live.
Larry and Sherry's daughter Melody is very hopeful to get over to see Larry this weekend. This is a point of prayer since Melody is recuperating very slowly from surgery and some complications from it. She so much wants and needs to see her dad. There is also some family looking into getting Larry and Sherry's son Greg out to Oregon from Tennessee. That's a little trickier given limited resources, but Sherry's sister Cathy and her husband Bill have donated toward this cost. We are grateful for this. We'd like to get Greg out here in the next week or two. We just don't know how much time we have.
We are a family of faith. One that believes that there is "another time and another place" where we will spend eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when He chooses to call us home. There is no question the deep love that Larry and Sherry have for each other, and it is that love that will sustain them in these next days, weeks or months.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support for our family...
Steve and Melody
Today Larry went to see his doctor...for the last time. I am to understand that he said "goodbye" to his doctors and nurses since the plan, at this time, is to stop the chemo and any other treatments as they have become ineffective. The doctors have called Hospice and Larry and Sherry should get a call from Hospice in the next day or so to get all of that set up. For now, hospice will come to Larry. At some point he may be taken to Hopewell House which is a fantastic Hospice House in Portland. Sherry's mother was at Hopewell in her final days several years ago. A wonderful facility. Larry is in pain and is having trouble breathing so the doctor prescribed some morphine drops that Sherry is to put on his tongue. This gives him some comfort from the pain and allows him to rest and breath a little easier. He is using oxygen. Larry did take a fall today in the house when they got back from the doctor. Fortunately, Chuck and Charlene were there to assist in getting him up and into his comfy chair.
Sherry had a doctors appointment this afternoon as well. At this point her doctor believes her recent symptoms are due to "stress and trauma in her life". Really?? Ya think??!! Her issues could be related to other things but with all that Sherry is dealing with right now, her doctor felt she will be okay in time as this situation with Larry runs its course. They will touch base later this year.
The doctors have recommended that Larry and Sherry should immediately seek out assisted living. They are at a point where they can't take care of each other let alone themselves. It would relieve a huge burden from Sherry by being in a place that she could get a little help if needed - if she fell, or needed help getting in and out of her power chair. etc. Until real recently Larry helped with all that - but those days are gone. The thought of moving them right now seems crazy, but as I stated in an earlier post - we will do whatever is best for the two of them to enjoy their remaining time together. Sherry is looking into a place in Canby, OR, which is close to where Chuck and Charlene live.
Larry and Sherry's daughter Melody is very hopeful to get over to see Larry this weekend. This is a point of prayer since Melody is recuperating very slowly from surgery and some complications from it. She so much wants and needs to see her dad. There is also some family looking into getting Larry and Sherry's son Greg out to Oregon from Tennessee. That's a little trickier given limited resources, but Sherry's sister Cathy and her husband Bill have donated toward this cost. We are grateful for this. We'd like to get Greg out here in the next week or two. We just don't know how much time we have.
We are a family of faith. One that believes that there is "another time and another place" where we will spend eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when He chooses to call us home. There is no question the deep love that Larry and Sherry have for each other, and it is that love that will sustain them in these next days, weeks or months.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support for our family...
Steve and Melody
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Wednesday is a big day...
We covet your prayers for Larry and Sherry on Wednesday, April 7th. Larry has an appointment at 11:00 to discuss his future care and to gain an understanding about hospice. Many of us know a bit about hospice and the wonderful care that these folks bring to the terminally ill in their final days. Then at 2:30, Sherry has a doctors appointment to address some physical issues that she is battling. These are trying times for these sweet people.
Today was another difficult day. Sherry was not able to go to work again ~ just too hard when she feels she needs to be at home helping Larry. Sherry told us tonight that often times today Larry didn't seem "present" and feels that he is slowly slipping away. When Melody talked with him on the phone tonight it was very evident that her dad was not doing well. He was short of breath and his speech was quite slurred.
We know the time is short. We know that there is much to be figured out in the coming days and weeks regarding Sherry's well-being after Larry goes home. If anyone is aware of any services that may be helpful to Sherry, please send us a note at doug5fam@yahoo.com. We'd appreciate any connections we can make that might help ease Sherry's burden.
We will update much in the days ahead...
Steve and Melody Douglass (Larry & Sherry's daughter and favorite son-in-law)
PS...again we must thank Charlene and Chuck Howard for their service to Larry and Sherry in getting them to these critical doctors appointments Wednesday. Charlene and Chuck ~ a special crown awaits you in glory for your selfless love and sacrifice. We love you.
Today was another difficult day. Sherry was not able to go to work again ~ just too hard when she feels she needs to be at home helping Larry. Sherry told us tonight that often times today Larry didn't seem "present" and feels that he is slowly slipping away. When Melody talked with him on the phone tonight it was very evident that her dad was not doing well. He was short of breath and his speech was quite slurred.
We know the time is short. We know that there is much to be figured out in the coming days and weeks regarding Sherry's well-being after Larry goes home. If anyone is aware of any services that may be helpful to Sherry, please send us a note at doug5fam@yahoo.com. We'd appreciate any connections we can make that might help ease Sherry's burden.
We will update much in the days ahead...
Steve and Melody Douglass (Larry & Sherry's daughter and favorite son-in-law)
PS...again we must thank Charlene and Chuck Howard for their service to Larry and Sherry in getting them to these critical doctors appointments Wednesday. Charlene and Chuck ~ a special crown awaits you in glory for your selfless love and sacrifice. We love you.
Monday, April 5, 2010
A Birthday Celebration!!
On Sunday, April 4th, Larry celebrated his 68th birthday. Many people dropped by the house - some of whom Larry didn't even know. We are so grateful to the family and friends that came by to offer a hug or handshake to Larry during this time. At one point Sherry said the place was so full she couldn't even move! It is bittersweet to say the least - but we know that just based on the number of people that made a visit - Larry is deeply loved and cherished. It was a tough day for Larry - he was pretty worn out by the end of it!! Originally the plan was for some family to go out for an Easter lunch, but Larry was not feeling well enough to do that so Sherry prepared a simple meal at home. Larry's daughter, Melody, has been having some complications from a recent surgery so she was not able to make the trip to Portland for the day.
We are grateful for some long-time friends of Larry and Sherry, the McBee's, who are looking into getting Sherry's van equipped to better handle her power chair. This is so important given Sherry's physical needs and limitations and her ability to load the chair and unload it on her own. We specifically ask for prayer this week for direction and clarity in decision making as Larry and Sherry meet with the doctors on Wednesday to discuss Hospice and how they will manage Larry's health care for his remaining time here on earth. While we knew at some point this time would come - now that we are here - it seems overwhelming. There is much to be decided in the coming weeks, but we don't want to get so caught up in those details that we fail to enjoy Larry. His is a legacy worth savoring and we are all better people for having known him. He has brought so much into so many peoples lives. The man who was often the one to give help is, more than ever, in need of some of that same help now.
Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers....
The family
We are grateful for some long-time friends of Larry and Sherry, the McBee's, who are looking into getting Sherry's van equipped to better handle her power chair. This is so important given Sherry's physical needs and limitations and her ability to load the chair and unload it on her own. We specifically ask for prayer this week for direction and clarity in decision making as Larry and Sherry meet with the doctors on Wednesday to discuss Hospice and how they will manage Larry's health care for his remaining time here on earth. While we knew at some point this time would come - now that we are here - it seems overwhelming. There is much to be decided in the coming weeks, but we don't want to get so caught up in those details that we fail to enjoy Larry. His is a legacy worth savoring and we are all better people for having known him. He has brought so much into so many peoples lives. The man who was often the one to give help is, more than ever, in need of some of that same help now.
Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers....
The family
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