That ordeal (the infection) was pretty frightening, but again we made it through. I'll be on an antibiotic and homevac machine for a few weeks, then it will be behind us. God's protective guard once again prevailed.
This will truly be a memorable Christmas. Our friends, the Spelders, brought dinner over to the house on Christmas Eve, so I could sit in my "comfort chair" while sharing the joy of the evening. Connor was able to be with us, too! We attended mass at St. Bernadette Christmas morning (our home parish). I saw so many familiar faces, it moved me deeply. We were then invited to Christmas dinner across the street at our good friends, the Hand's.
My chemo treatment has been postponed to next Wed, Jan 2nd. The doctor is giving me an extra week to recover from the infection, which I am grateful for. Every day I feel stronger and am moving around better.
I thank God for the strength He has given me, and for the prayers you all extend. May He bless you all with joy and good health in 2008!
Maureen
| Wonderful News! So happy that you are home! Nancy McFarland | |
| Maureen, That was best best gift ever to hear that you were home with your family and friends for Christmas. Our continued prayers that you will be feeling 100% soon. God Bless you and your family. Love, Nancy McFarland | |
| Glad you are home Tom Helland | |
| Mary and I are so glad you're back home with your family, our Christmas was nice, took our daughters skiing Sunday at Terry Peak, not quite Telluride, but brought back fun memories of last year. You, Mike and they kids are always in our thoughts and prayers! Tom and Mary Helland | |
| Merry Christmas Caseys!! Cathy Edwards | |
| Hello there!! We were praying for you to make it home in time to celebrate the most wonderful holiday season of the year!! We thank God that he answered all of our collective prayers. We are so grateful to hear that you all continue to be surrounded by the love and caring acts of those around you...may 2008 be a year full of continued blessings and GOOD HEALTH!! With love, Cathy & Webb Edwards | |
| Merry Christmas Michelle Schirado | |
| Maureen and Mike - what a special gift...to be home for Christmas! I read the carepage whenever there is an update. Jeanne gave me the information quite awhile ago and I follow it at home and at work (Wells Fargo Investments). Our family prays for your health and recovery. You have such a special family....Merry Christmas and may 2008 bring wonderful things your way...you deserve it! God Bless you always, Michelle Schirado Harrisburg, SD | |
| Merry Christmas from the Clancys. Chad Clancy | |
| We're all glad to hear that you are doing better and that you were able to make it home for Christmas. Keep up the good work (that goes for your entire family)! | |
| Great news! Molly Casey | |
| Maureen, Such great news! I'm so happy to hear of your homecoming. I know your boys were glad you were back in your "comfort chair" instead of the hospital. I can't report of any snow here in Austin...but it is sure nice having my parents in town for the holidays. They head back north on Friday. We were missing Ryan who is in Florida with Erin's family. Sending lots of love from the Lonestar State! Love, Molly | |
| merry christmas Tom Sadvary | |
| Maureen Mike and family, We were so delighted to hear that you were discharged from the hospital in time to celebrate Christmas with your family at home. Wishing you a speedy recovery and a blessed Christmas season. | |
| Glad tidings Joanne and Joe Rusche | |
| Thank you for the updates, Maureen and Mike. We are glad you were able to spend Christmas together. May each day forward find you stronger in body and spirit. Keeping and holding you in our daily thoughts and prayers. Love, the Rusche's from Eagan | |
 Merry Christmas Caseys! Catherine Billion | |
| Caseys, You are a true inspiration to our family! We are sooo glad that the infection is behind you; now recovery will be more speedy! Thanks so much for the great news! Enjoy this little break from the chemo. God bless you, Maureen. Love, The Billions | |
| Happy Holidays! Randy Gullickson | |
| Maureen: We're glad that you have overcome another hurdle and are on the mend--and that you were able to be home with your family and at your home parish for Christmas. We hope that you, Mike and the boys enjoy this holiday season and that 2008 will be a year of health and happiness for you. All of our best to you and your family. Randy and Kirsti | |
| AND A BLESSED CHRISTMAS IT TRULY WAS Patti Herf | |
| how wonderful to have been able to come home on Christmas Eve !!! truly a blessing !!! GLAD YO MADE IT TO CHURCH TOO !!! hope the winter germs all stayed on the opposite side of the isle !! ALL GOOD WISHES FOR A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR AS YOU REST AND RECUPERATE AND GET READY FOR # 3 !!! we'll touch base soon, love, patti | |
 Happy Christmas Anne Wolf | |
| Maureen - So happy to see your posting. Thank Mike for the updates, but much happier to see something from you and from home! We looked for you and Mike Christmas Eve, hopeful that we might see you. I'm so glad that you made it on Christmas morning. I don't know which priest you had, but we had the new visiting priest that is retired in the diocese. We've had a him a few times and really like him. His homily was based on the theme, "Do not be afraid." He noted that the phrase is found 366 times in the Bible, one time for every day of the year + one. The answer is always the same, "For God is With You." It was a great homily and one that was important for our family. I know that you may be fearful at times, but I do not believe that you are afraid. You know that God is always with you. Merry Christmas Maureen and love to all your boys and Katie. Welcome Home. | |
| Wishes for a happy & healthy 2008 Lisa Lavely | |
| Maureen, As you and Mike have mentioned in your writings, 2007 was a year full of great highs and lows for all of you. Our family wishes you a 2008 full of joy, healing and much love. You are a wonderful & amazing person, such a great friend and inspiration - thank you for just being you! Much Love, Lisa & Tom, Cameron and Madison | |
| Truly a great Christmas Terrie Jorgensen | |
| Maureen - We are so happy that you could be home for Christmas Eve and it sounds like you were well taken care of. I haven't checked my emails for over a week, so I didn't know that you had surgery. I'm very thankful that you are okay and getting stronger Prayers continue to come from Minnesota - you are truly blessed! Love, Terrie | |
| Another prayer answered... Jeanne Hassel | |
| So happy to know that you were HOME for Christmas. We have been praying throughout each day for you. Thank you Lord for this gift! We love you! Jeanne, Greg and girls | |
| Good News and Great Joy! Cynthia Sampers | |
| The landscape here in the Midwest is beautiful this Holy Season. The trees are frosted with snow all the way from the South Dakota border to the Twin Cities, a drive I'm sure you made many times! I sit here in Quiet looking out at the trees and keep you all in my heart and prayers. Midnight Mass at STB was all us 'Ole Time Folks': the Rusches, the Kempfs, the Grimwoods, etc only the Casey's were missing! All of us praying for healing for you and others around the world. I'm happy to see that you have a local community praying and supporting you there as well. I know that God's healing presence will get you all through this. Epiphany is coming soon, and "We Three Kings" provides some wonderful words: "Star of Wonder, Star of Night, Star with Royal Beauty Bright, Westward Leading, STILL PROCEEDING, Guide us to thy Perfect Light!" Probably even Mike's Verse! The journey is long, and more difficult for some, but with thy Perfect Light, we all get there! We pray that your family is continually guided and surrounded by Thy Perfect Light! And filled with Peace and Joy during this Holiday Season and Always, Love from the Sampers | |
| Best wishes for a healing and happy 2008! Steven Gallagher | |
| Great news that you were home for Christmas Maureen. You were in my thoughts and prayers over the holiday - I hope the new year brings you healing and good health. Steve | |
| Sending prayers to you every day Joan Buckley | |
| Hi Maureen, It's me, the other Joan. I just got off the piano (take a moment and visualize me sitting on top of the piano - just like my kinderkids would visualize - chuckle here...) after trying valiantly to sing "Holy is Your Name." It just didn't work without your voice, so I stopped singing and just played the chords and heard you sing inside of my heart. Well, thank you for that gift of song! Today is January 2nd, and you mentioned a chemo time starting today. I will hold you in double prayers. God bless you and your family! | |
| from Vicki Vicki Hand | |
| We are wishing you good health and joy in this new year - thinking of you every moment of the day. We LOVE YOU, Maureen! Tom and Vicki | |
| Maureen - The Blessing of another day in 2008 Joan Lentner | |
| Maureen - I have returned from my Christmas holidays with my elderly folks and it was great being with them and sharing some wonderful memories. When I returned my desk looked like a disaster and that's why I haven't written - I really wanted to. When I was at the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day masses I lifted you in prayer and have continued with my mission of daily prayers to get you well in 2008. Sounds like that was quite the infection, but then you made it thru that awful experience and by the time you read this you will be starting another round of chemo. My heart goes out to you, my prayers continue many times a day and I'm wishing mega strength to get thru this treatment...with no side affects. You are an inspiration to me as I read the updates. Yes, God does give us all we need, but I think you have had more than your share and you need a break...time to feel really good. It is coming and until it does you can count on my prayers. You will continue to make it - one day at a time. You are so special!! | |
| Blessed new year Virginia Casey | |
| Hi Kids! I am thinking of you and praying for you all; particularly, of course, your healing, Maureen. I wish I could show you the courage that you have shown me this year. With God in our heart and mind, we will go on, and have a blessed new year. I love you so. Auntie Gin | |
| Hi Mike and Maureen! Kathy Miller | |
| Steve and I want to wish you all a Happy New Year, and we are missing you terribly. Getting home to Florida and opening your beautiful Christmas card was so touching. What a beautiful family you have. Our prayers are with you in the New Year as they were in the old year. We are here for you! Love to all! Auntie Kathy | |
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