Today is Her Birthday...conversation with her....

I'm slightly jealous....cause I know you are eating cake and eating it with most wonderful man!

Well, today is your birthday and I sit hear shedding tears because I cannot physically hug you. Yes, you can say I am having my moment now.

You were and will always be the most greatest nana in the world....you will definately not be forgotten.

Remember when we were sitting in the Dr's office one day once your visits started to occur...I made a promise to you. I promised that your people (Pupie & her two boys) will be taken care of. I promised you that they would be taken care of. I am carrying out that duty today and everyday. I know you are very proud of them as they have came a very long way....its been rough, but Pupie is getting use to living on her own and being independent. Its a struggle at times, but she is loving every minute of it. She is ever so thankful for us helping her to get to this point. Matthew is doing really well in school. =) Unfortuantely we had to take him out of private so that he could get the attention that he needed.

On the other hand, family dynamics aren't so great as you already know whats goin on. But I am sure you are not surprised of the events that took place shortly after you departed. You know it truly hurt me that there were such nasty accusations against me from other family members. People get so ugly after loved ones leave the earth. Its a shame. And I actually thought my family would be exempt from such craziness....NOT! As long as I KNOW that you KNOW whats up and that I would NEVER create any harm to anyone in my family. Never. But this too you already know.

I just wanted to say that I LOVE YOU and truly TRULY miss you. I think about you daily...most of the time at night or when Bre does something funny. Everytime she does something silly I just wish I could pick up the phone and call you and say, " NANA! Do you know what this girl just did!?" She has grown sooooo much and developing so well, and is the biggest clown ever. Well who's her parents? She learns from the best! Even though I can't pick up the phone to call you...I know you see everything. You are a witness to it all, and I know she keeps you in tears from laughing at the things she does.

4th of July is coming up, one of your favorite holidays. We will make sure Pupie and her boys pick out some fireworks as you always would pitch in for the big kahunas! Well, we don't have them this year, so we will just buy from the stands.

It has been so hard being without you. The holidays that have passed the birthday celebrations and so forth. We just celebrated moms birthday, mom and dads 23rd wedding anniversary and Big Reggies, Little Reggie and Stans Fathers Day in Vegas this past weekend. Everyone had a ball. Ebony flew down and even Tommy, Mickey, Thomas, his wife Nichole and their new baby girl Eilianna drove from Arizona to visit with us. She is too cute! The traffic from Vegas was horrific...6 long hours. Long enough to think about flying next time!

So...anyway...I just wanted to start my day off by telling you how much I miss you. But you already know that though. You left to fast....everythnig happened just too fast. I LOVE you Nana....now go back to your birthday party sweet thang!

Happy Birthday Beautiful!

Your Grandaughter,
Tricia

What Do YOU Know About This!?

Yes Lord!
Its that good ole' Eggnog & Ice Cream Baby! Drizzled with a little bit of nutmeg!

You either like it or you don't...alot of people don't really care for eggnog, but if you are an Eggnog drinker, you must try this....(I eat with a spoon, when ice cream melts, of course drink it!)

• One of your favorite mugs
• However many scoops of Golden Vanilla your heart desires
• Pour Eggnog directly over the ice cream
• Finally top it off with a few sprinkles of Nutmeg OR you can try Cinnamon.

So...this was one of my most favorite treats that me and my Nana enjoyed having together. Dang it! I can't believe she is gone still....but still here and forever here within spirit!

Love you Nana...CHEERS!!!!

Enjoy!

She Came to Tell Me Bye...

My nana finally went home to the Lord yesterday morning around 3:30am....yes, I was in Arkansas waking up to get to the airport.

I miss her already...

We were two hours ahead of my Cali family, so I had my alarm set at 5:00am...well it was a short sleep because we didn't get to bed till about 3am anyway...
Well, I woke up a little prior to my alarm going off by a little brush of air....I turned to look behind me to see if Breanna was up or Reg, but they were sound asleep. It was my nana...telling me that she was going home and that she is flying free. I didn't realize it was her until we touched down in Denver and I received the news when I called my mom. I immediately remember feeling that brush of air around 5 my time around 3 their time. It was her. I am okay with this because it was not a total surprise and I know where she is....and I will definitely see her again one day. I knew this day was coming, but it just came too fast. We were going to try and have Christmas early for her to have one last Christmas, but she was ready to go home.

Is it ironic that she waited for me to enjoy my trip to visit my dad and that wonderful retreat I went on a few weeks ago? Nana knew how excited I was about my retreat I was going on, because she knew I needed that time, and she really knew how excited we were to go to Arkansas to see my dad. So...it is ironic to me that she waited to go the day I would depart Arkansas. It happened so early in the morning so that I would not see her in the condition that remained.

I am TRULY TRULY blessed to have such wonderful memories of a strong black woman in my life. She grew up in the era of racism and such and had encountered to much as a child. She faced so much growing up but overcame. She gave birth to 5 children which only 3 are still here. From the 3 she has 4 grandchildren and 3 great grand children. I am so glad that she got to love all of us and especially happy that Breanna was able to have fun times with her. Bre may be too young to remember Nana, but there will be wonderful stories to tell her when she gets older.

Thanks you so much for all your constant prayers, thoughts and encouragement...it has been a short journey, but glad it was not prolonged.

With much love,

Patricia V. Jones

Prayer Chain...

Okay folks...I need YOU tonight! 8:00pm we are doing a prayer chain for my nana...please take a minute and join us in prayer 8:00pm! Thanks!

XOXO
Trisha

Update...

We just got back from the Dr's today...and it went as expected. OH...and must I mention how difficult it is to be the "Family Reporter?" What a responsibility....but that's okay..its now my job and take with much pride!

basically, the known site is "unknown." She went through a series of test from the past 2 weeks:

• Needle Biopsy of the Liver - checked out fine (with the exception of the 14 holes...with this biopsy, they were able to confirm that indeed she has cancer.)
• Chest X-Ray - Checked out fine...no lung cancer
• Pelvic Sonogram - Checked out fine...no ovarian cancer, the mass in her pelvic area, not cancer.
• Colonoscopy - Checked out fine...nothing.

So needless to say....the Dr's are most definitely stumped, and stated she was quite complicated. They did say 15% of all cancer patients are diagnosed as "unknown" What they did say was that it can possibly be Cancer of the Bile Ducts...but then again they aren't sure because they are still stumped as to where it may have originated from. Her Oncology Dr stated that for now they will treat as if it is Cancer of the Colon and go from there.

Dr. really didn't want to do chemo but my nana kinda insisted on it...so they will start with a pill form. I am sure most of you may know why he was against it for obvious reasons...there will be high chances of her getting weaker. The Dr could see right away that she appeared slightly weaker, which there is no denying that....she is getting weaker. So with that said...what I need from you that are praying and have prayer circles going on for us is STRENGTH!

I thank you again for your continued support and prayers...I wish I could thank each of you with a hug...so I am sending a ((((cyber hug)))). If I work with ya, just come collect your hug, cause I owe ya.

Okay...done for now before I cry! BYE!

One more thing....if you have read the entire thing...THANK YOU!!! If anyone is wishing to leave a prayer, good notes, funnies, or a blessing, simply leave it here in your reply OR you can email me at: LuvJones78@msn.com. I am printing out all get well wishes for her to read.

Okay..I am gone for real!

Quick Update..

Thank you again for your constant prayers and kind words...reading your posts really do make me smile. Matter of fact, I am printing all posts and giving them to my nana to show her how much people who you may not know even care and are praying!

So really quick...We went to see the Oncology Dr. on Tuesday, and he did inform us that the cancer is in stage 4. He did say he can treat, but cannot cure, which we already know that right? So anyway...she gained 5 lbs which is good, because she really hasn't had too much of an appetite. We need to get her beefed up somehow.

Anyhow, we still have one more test to do so they can proceed on where and how to treat.

My nana is still in good spirits...me on the other hand, I am REALLY having a hard time. I really try hard with holding it together, but it is just so hard seeing the one you love uncomfortable. I just cannot stand to see anyone suffering, especially a loved one. So, I am really trying to find my faith and keep it strong, I am continuing to pray every day around the clock.

So...with that consider yourself updated. =)

I love you all and thank you again...

Trisha

Good News and Not so Good News...

Okay well which do you want first?

How about the bad news..no one really wants to hear or be in the position that I was in on Friday morning....we all have loved ones and you all now how special she is to me. I was sitting in the Dr's office with my nana when he delivered the news. She does have cancer. Which type? Not sure. Why aren't we sure? Well...the Dr. indeed knows that it is not in one place, in fact it is widespread. He showed us the clear results of her catscans (and boy technology...I tell you...is a mutha!) Anyway...he showed us first her liver....the worst of all..has 14 holes in it...not good (was never an alcholic or smoker), then he showed us she has alot of fluid in her tummy, not good...then the mass in the pelvic area. She has a series of test to go through so they can possibly pinpoint a more specific area as to where it may have originated. So we should be goin back to the Dr. this week. Dr. also will be referring her to the Medical Oncology dept. to get her started with chemo ASAP.

So...on to the best news. She is in the best of spirits. My nana is a woman of faith, a strong woman, mother 0f 5, among the 5, 3 are still living. She has 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Did I mention I am the only (biological) granddaughter. Yeah...so you know she spoiled me especially. =) Maybe that's why she is my girl! Anyway...She is a woman of strength and has accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her savior. My nana has a really positive outlook and that is EXACTLY what she needs right now...we know how that all works right? Positive outlooks, positive results. She is a remarkable woman...also a breast cancer survivor (back in the 70's)

So...that makes me feel just a wee little better...not alot but a little. =) I think she almost took the news better than any of us.

I took it really hard, but really had to hold it together for her...
So now it is truly my time to step up my granddaughter duties and take care of her the best way I can...I truly feel I am about to step into some big shoes, as I will be pretty much the one taking her to her appt's, keeping up with her Dr. visits etc. The only bad part about this is she lives an hour away...We have her going to the hospital out here since there are more of us with transportation out this way.

With this extra responsibilities and duties that will be approaching, I will DEFINITELY need my support line! I need you all to pray, for those who believe! Please pray for my strength as well...to stay together and keep it together for myself, Bre and other family members. My oldest cousin is not taking the news well at all. She has done so much for us, and now it is time for us to do for her.

Also...can someone pray that she PLEASE RESIGN??? Yes! She is still working...LOL! She is a supervisor for Los Angeles County Department of Social Services (welfare)...so you know what kind of headache she has when she comes home. But hey...that may be what keeps her goin...

THANK you to all my friends and even ones I have never met that left positive thoughts on my previous blog...means the world to me, from the bottom of my heart.

Cherish today and cherish the ones you love...

Love Always...
Trisha

I Believe in the Power of Prayer...do you?

If so...I really really need your prayers right now. It has been a busy last few months and among them all my nana (grandma) has not been feeling good. For those of you know me personally, SHE IS my rock...and the rock of our family.


She has been having severe pain in her tummy and has not been getting clear answers. She did finally have a catscan and her Dr. called and informed her today that it IS indeed a mass and will be referring her to another Dr. So....with this...


I am asking that you please pray for my nana..I would truly truly appreciate it....


Thanks so much from the bottom of my heart..I will keep you posted.