welovedonna.com

Hello everyone.  This is Aunt Marilyn.  After a very stressful week of trying to make arrangments long distance, and the difficulty in getting the paperwork completed to be able to transport Donna back to Kansas, it seems we now have the final arrangments made.

Visitation will be at Harrison Chapel, 190 S. Franklin, Colby, KS  67701 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 26, 2010.   A vigil service will be that evening at 7:00 p.m.  For those who are traveling from out of town and are not able to get to Colby in time on Friday evening, there will be a limited visitation from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral Mass will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1065 W. 5th, Colby, Kansas  at 10:30 a.m.  Saturday, February 27th.  There will be a meal in the basement of the church immediately following Mass for all family and friends, so please feel free to join us.

Burial will be at the Selden Cemetery, Selden, Kansas  (which is located at the south end of town, and east about 1 mile)  at 2:00 p.m.

Immediately following the graveside service, there will be cookies and snacks at the Parish Hall in Selden for everyone.   These are all CENTRAL TIME.

Thank you all for your love and support and prayers you have shown Donna and her family throughout her illness.  All your comments meant so much to her, and all of us.  I know I speak for all of Donna’s family and friends when I say that we are so blessed to have so much support.  It is truly appreciated.   I believe Donna has touched each and every one of us in a very special way. 

I also want to thank all of you who came by the funeral home or to Donna and Michael’s home  in Las Vegas to pay your respects, and show your love and support for Donna’s family.    Thank you for being so kind.   Donna had a wonderful family of friends in Vegas and across the nation.

This is Donna’s sister Amy and it is with deep sorrow that I write to tell everyone that Donna lost her 32 month battle with luekemia and passed away on Friday, February 19th 2010 at St. Rose Dominican hospital.  As Donna was such an inspiration to all of you who check her website, it is important you know that she was extraordinarily brave and she fought with all her heart and strength up to the end.  Donna will be greatly missed by all of her famiy and her many friends who have supported her throughout her difficult journey.  Thank each and every one of you who left words of encouragement on her guestbook, in emails and during visits.  We know Donna gained strength from your support and enjoyed hearing from you.

Michael, the boys, and our family are doing as good as can be expected at this time and we all appreciate the kindness that everyone is showing.  Donna will be extremely missed by many.

A memorial viewing will be held at Desert Memorial, 1111 Las Vegas Blvd North, Las Vegas NV 89101 on Tuesday, February 23rd 2010 from 2-5 pm.  A funeral service and final burial will follow in Colby Kansas.  The details for the Colby service are pending and I will update the website once finalized.

We love you Donna and will miss you so.  May you rest in peace.  Love, Amy

February 14^th, 2010 

Wow, I think this is the longest I’ve gone without an update. I’m sorry to all you faithful readers. Happy Valentines Day and Happy Anniversary to Pam & Gary Waldren. As you’ve probably guessed, I haven’t been writing because I haven’t had the strength to do so. I have a couple of good days here and there but they are becoming very rare. It’s funny though because what I call a good day now, would have been called a pretty bad day 4 months ago. Right now I’m totally dependant on my husband. I can’t get out of the chair by myself, can’t roll over in bed, can’t even get up from the handicap porta potty. It sucks. My Parents arrived for a visit last Sunday and were supposed to leave today but decided to stay for a while due to my condition. My Sister and Grandma upped there visit to tomorrow instead of the end of the month, and Michael’s brother arrives on Friday for a 4 day stay. I hope this gives a little relief to Michael as he could definitely use one. I am constantly asking for his help.  I don’t really understand why they all want to come out and watch me sleep as that is pretty much my day but they assure me that is ok. We are trying  a new treatment and praying that it’s the one. It’s the magic bullet so to speak. Let’s hope anyway. Michael believes it is working because of  some of the side effects are matching up and I’m expelling what they describe  as dead cancer cells. Time will tell. I did start knitting my Mom a hat today with this new fangled plastic circular device to try to stay awake and give my hands something to do. It’s been an interesting adventure so to speak. May attempt to sit in a real chair and cut some quilt squares. No guarantees though. I have developed a cough that is relentless as well. On the other hand, the fever seems to be under control so I’m not extremely worried. The worst part right now are the sores and the swelling. My leg skin can’t stretch much more and the arms are now partaking in the swelling so that just adds to the frustration.  Especially because it’s worse in my left arm and that is the side the end table is on and that makes it hard to grab things without reaching across myself with my right hand. Anyway, that’s been the life in the Handy household. I’ll try not to go so far in between updates. I just haven’t had my computer open in ages. No energy. Please don’t give up on me though.