Gran's Arrangments

Everything has been planed out for Gran. The viewing will be Monday, services Tuesday's and we fly to New Orleans for burial on Wednesday.

Crazy two weeks.

Another Loss

Last night, my dear grandmother, "Gran", past away. It was so very sudden and we are all still in a little bit of shock.

God had a plan and it was for her to be up here with me and the family during Christopher's illness. She turned 88 on October 2nd and had a full and beautiful life with so many memories that I will hold on to forever. She will be missed.

So Many Things, So Many Memories

Before Christopher pasted he wanted for the last year to give his Cousin our dinning room set and his Mom china. Over a year ago Christopher packed up the china and was making plans on how to get the dishes and furniture to them in El Paso. When his Aunt and Cousin came in for the services they were able to take everything back with them. I wish Christopher could have been there to see the twinkle in his cousin's eye when she saw the greatest gift he could ever give her, but since he couldn't I was just happy that she could have this wonderful gift before her wedding day in November.

It had always been Christopher's plan to make the dinning room Ethan's play room, so with the room empty we spent the day putting Ethan's drawing table and other toys in the room. The empty room reminded me of the memories of us coming to the house when we were building it.

I found a bag of ties that he had planned to take to the dry cleaners - they had his after shave smell. I miss that smell. I miss him.

One Week Ago...

This morning I woke up and asked God to help me get through today (one day at time). As I prayed I thought, one week ago today I lost my best friend, my soul mate, my love; Ethan lost a father, playmate, and best friend.

The days don't seem to get easier, but I try to stay busy to keep my mind off of things. Last week seemed to go by so easy, but then again there were things to plan, people to meet, it took my mind off of things.

Today's plan of attack: make it through the day.

I want to again thank everyone whom have helped me for the last month. Thank you Lauren and Mitzi for being there to help with things that I just could not handle. Thank You mom for being here this last month to help, Thank you Amber for showing me me that even though we are 1,000's of miles away - you love like you were across the street. Thank you Spring Creek BBQ for doing everything you did and to The Thomas Agency for everything they did for me. Thank you all for the dinners, cards, flowers, donations and kind words. Without any of you I don't know if I would have made it through this week.

Pax,
d

Services for Christopher

A Note from Denise: "Yesterday and today have been long days. And I want to take this time to thank everyone for there kind words of support and prayers. I still don't think I could ever thank every one enough."

Denise has been getting a lot of calls from loved ones wanting to attend the viewing/wake and funeral mass. Below is the information as of tonight:

The viewing/wake will be held Thursday evening at Allen Family Options (2120 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Tx 75023) from 6pm-8.

The funeral mass will be held Friday at 10:30am at St. Francis of Assisi (8000 Eldorado Parkway Frisco, TX 75034) You can find a map & directions to the church at their website. The burial will immediately proceed the mass at Ridgeview Cemetery which is directly behind the church. Afterwards, a small luncheon will be held at the church.

Again Denise is requesting that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the American Cancer Society in Christopher's name or to the Seibert Family Fund for Ethan's future.

Thank you to everyone who continues to pray for the Seibert's. They are being felt by Denise and Ethan.

Thanks again for everyones support.
Amber

With a Heavy Heart

It is with a very heavy heart that I write this morning to let everyone know that Christopher passed away this morning at 6:53am. He was at home with Denise beside him, as she has always been. Christopher put up an incredible fight for both his beautiful wife, Denise, and his beloved son, Ethan. We will all miss him dearly, and know that he will watch over all of us and keep us all safe.

Denise has requested that in lieu of flowers, she would prefer if everyone would either donate to the American Cancer Society on behalf of Christopher, or donate to the Seibert Family Fund to help Ethan for his future.

Once the day and time of the funeral has been decided, I will update the blog to let everyone know. Please make sure to show your love to this wonderful family, for they need all the support they can get right now.

Thank you to everyone, and especially her neighbors Lauren and Mitzi, who are with Denise as I type this blog from Alaska. They are able to give her the hugs she needs that we can't give her right now.

With the deepest gratitude to all who have helped the Seibert's in this time,
Amber Abney

The Yard Sale

On Saturday (October 11), from 8-11, our neighbors are having a community yard sale for us where all the proceeds will go to help pay for some of the medical bills. We are so blessed to have these people in our lives who care about us so deeply. I have been so over whelmed with every thing they have done for us. Christopher, Ethan and I could not have asked for better neighbors.

Guys we love you all so very much. Words can't express the thanks we have for you all.

Pax,
Denise

Spring Creek BBQ

Today Christopher had visitors from his work. The GM and the AGM (two other managers that he worked with and were close to) came by. They were touched that I called them and told them that if they would like to see Christopher they were welcome too.

While Christopher didn't wake up while they were here; I'm just glad they came by to tell him hello and that they missed him at work.

Christopher did wake up this morning and I was able to feed him a plate of fruit that he really enjoyed. At one point I place a piece of pineapple in his mouth and he said, "Oh, pineapple. Alright." Shortly after I finished feeding him, he went back to sleep.

I would also like to thank everyone for the cards ans sweet notes that have been arriving in the mail. It means so much to me that there are people out there caring and praying for us. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Pax,
Denise

The Bed

Yesterday the hospital bed arrived around 3:30ish. Mom and I had moved the living room furniture that morning to make room for it and I have to say it's odd to see a hospital bed in the middle of our living room.

Once it was set up we quickly moved Christopher into it. I think he's fighting how he's suppose to lay in it - but at least he's in it and I can help him in and out of it better. The bed came with a table that rolls up to the bed, so that's nice for him to eat his meals off of.

Other than the bed there still is no major changes. He's still sleeps most of the day and only wakes up for 15 minutes to say he needs the bathroom or something to eat. Mom has been a big help with Ethan, I could not imagine trying to care for Christopher and Ethan at the same time.

I want again to thank everyone who has helped us out. The out pouring of love to our family is over whelming and I can't begin to thank you all enough.

Sonic

Yesterday (Tuesday), Christopher slept for most of the day. However around 5ish Christopher woke up and wanted food! So I made him a plate of fruit and a grilled cheese sandwich, which he informed Mary-Ann (the woman who comes out once a week to give us mass at home) that I make the best grill cheese. :}

After his dinner and mass Christopher told me he wanted a sundae from Sonic, but he wanted everyone to go: Me, him, Ethan and my Mom. So Mom strapped Ethan in his car seat and I helped Christopher in the car and we were off to Sonic.

On the way home from getting our yummy sundaes and banana splits it was so nice out side that we thought it would be nice to sit outside and eat our cool tasty treats. So I pulled up in the front of the house and we got a chair for Christopher and some blankets to keep him warm (there was a little nip in the air) and he sat out side and watched Ethan draw on the sidewalk with his chalk.

That little outing did tire him out and he went back to bed after wards, but I think he enjoyed.

Monday Update

I know everyone flocks to the blog to see how Christopher is doing, so I would thought I would share what the nurse told us yesterday.

On Saturday Christopher slept for most of the day and almost all day Sunday. This didn't really shock me because Christopher's doctor explained to me that this would happen and this would be the "end stages of the liver failing". Christopher would sleep more and more until the point that we could just not walk him up.

Rosemary, our nurse, came out Monday and suggested we get a hospital bed to make it easier for him to get in and out of. Christopher now weighs roughly 224lbs, but that's mostly fluid built up in his body. The bed would make it easier on him and us to get him to and from the bathroom and other parts of the house. The bed (as far as I know) will come some time today.

Christopher tells me daily he loves me and when he sees Ethan he says, "Hey, Booger". In his mind, he can still fight this. He told me last night that "if he just felt normal - he would be ok"

Thank you all again for your prayers and support,
Denise

Thank You To A Friend

Today when I ventured out to our mailbox to get the mail, we had some cards from friends that brought a much needed smile to my face and there was one card with no return address.

When I opened it I found a wonderful card with a beautiful sentiment written on the inside. There was also a Target gift card and it was signed "From a Friend".

Well my "friend" since you left no return address for me to send you a note of thanks and how your gift warmed my heart. I hope you read this blog and know it meant allot to me and my family. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Pax,
Denise

A Note From Denise

Two weeks ago I was called to pick Christopher up from work. It's crazy how everything can change with one phone call.

I have to say I'm married to one amazing man. We have had conversations that discuss life and death and it always ends up the same way - he puts his hand on my face and tells me I "don't have enough hope." In his mind even though his doctors have told him - there is nothing more they can do for him, he says he can beat it. He won't give up.

Christopher amazes me daily with outings that he wants to go on. (Yesterday we went to Costco.) And yes while after and outing he's tired and needs oxygen - I think in his mind it's a little battle won. Cancer has not kept him from what he wants to do.

We are so blessed to have the people we have in our lives. I think if I thanked everyone every day - I still would not thank you all enough.

Thank you all for everything you do and have done.
Pax,
-d