- Goal:
- $1,750.00
- Achieved:
- $2,439.86
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
ALS Success!
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Never Forgotten
He led a strong fight against ALS by personally battling the disease, so my sister and I are taking over his legacy and leading the battle for ALS personally with our team called Freckle Fairies. Our team has worked hard to raised almost $2,500 for the ALS walk on Sunday, September 30th. Check out our team page and donate today or register to walk with us tomorrow.
click on http://www.alsa.org/ and search for Columbus Walk or find our team page:
https://secure2.convio.net/alsa/site/TRAPIPreview?page_type=fr_team_page&fr_id=8156
Monday, September 17, 2012
Freedom
Here is a copy of the obituary which will appear in the columbus dispatch tomorrow.
SCHLESINGER Justin Schlesinger, age 68, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 16, 2012. Preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Esther Schlesinger. He is survived by his wife, Marcia; daughters, Eileen (Todd) Elswick and Erica Schlesinger; son, Howard Schlesinger; grandchildren, Addison, Andrew, Brooke, Zachary, Dyllan, Shane, Samantha and Damien; brother-in-law, Bernie (Bobbi) Stevens. The family will gather with friends at 12:15pm on Wednesday, September 19th at the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Chapel, 5600 E. Broad St. with a graveside service to follow at 1:00pm with Rabbi Cary Kozberg officiating. Family and friends are welcome to gather for Shiva at the Schlesinger residence on Wednesday and Thursday from 5-8pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association - Central and Southern Ohio Chapter www.webcsoh.alsa.org.
Online guestbook at www.epsteinmemorial.com Epstein Memorial Chapel3232 E. Main StreetColumbus, OH 43213614.235.3232
We would also like to encourage those who can, to join our family and friends to walk with us on September 30th for the annual Walk to Defeat ALS Columbus Walk in memory of dad. Location:Fred Beekman Park, OSU. Registration is at 10 am, walk begins at 11 am. Dad was really looking forward to attending and it brings us such sadness to know he will only be with us in spirit. Register online -ALS Association - Central and Southern Ohio Chapter www.webcsoh.alsa.org. Click on Walk to Defeat ALS and search for our team-Freckle Fairies.
I love you daddy!!!! I miss you terribly. Life is just not the same...
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Prayers
My heart is breaking...dad's health has taken a turn for the worse. He toughed out 9 weeks of his injury and we are not sure how much longer we will have him. Please say a prayer. The suffering is unbearable.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Take Me Out to the Ballgame!
Sunday, September 9, 2012
O-H...
-Zusman Hospice
-Medicaid caregivers
Saturday, September 8, 2012
September 8-Kindness from Kentucky
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
September 4-Celebrating 2 months!
Lou Gehrig's Disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of an ALS patient averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis.
Please help defeat ALS by donating to this organization and help us reach our goal of $1,000.
Check out my personal page for Walk to Defeat ALS:
http://web.alsa.org/site/TR/Walks/CentralandSouthernOhio?px=3541696&pg=personal&fr_id=8156
If you can walk with us, please send me a message or a comment. We would love to have a large team of family and friends support dad as he fights this difficult disease.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Day August 25-Birthday Wishes and Miracles
Happy Birthday Sis! Loving the new hairstyle, but this could be the sign of a midlife crisis.
I am so glad to have such an amazing sister in my life. I have learned to identify any miracle that life throws our way. Miracles are like a cup of coffee, the perfect "pick me up" when we feel like there is no hope. Miracles are amazing. One of the best miracles is having my sister through this difficult journey to talk to, make decisions, and laugh with.
Other miracles of the week....
Dad gets to take a break from his neck collar for a few hours a day and while eating. What a relief!!
Mom and Dad got approved for Medicaid. This means mom will get home health care 37 hours a week (7 days a week) in addition to 10 hours of hospice care. The program through Medicaid is called Passport and it all starts tomorrow. It looks like dad will have an aid to help start his day, an aid from noon-4:00, and an aid return to get dad to bed. I am so thankful for Medicaid to help out and not let us down. It only took 7 weeks of endless documents faxed to the office, but hey, it worked!!
August 24th-Commander Justin-Night Ops
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
August 20th-Sticker Chart
Gearing up for car ride to the Dr. -1st time on our own transporting dad |
Smile Chip-N-Bones! |
Cracking up! |
Hold that pose! |
Chip-N-Bones Photo Shoot Session |
C1 Neck Fracture-3 breaks about 5-6 mm each (7-4-12) |
Monday, August 20, 2012
August 19th-Wanted: Happiness
It's been one of the worst weekends. I am usually positive about dad's recovery, but he is quite ill and doing the best he can-a phrase that puts it all into perspective, thanks to Helene, -a dear family friend who helped me sum up his latest condition. This damn ALS is making the finer things in life we take for granted like eating, swallowing, and talking a struggle. He has lost weight and the stomach pain is relentless.
To make the situation worse, he was placed in a long term nursing home unit at Heritage for 2 days. No one knew how to care for dad and all of his needs. I am sure its a great facility, it's just not for dad who needs a low nurse/aid ratio. Very upsetting.
So on a positive note, we are desperately seeking happiness. Any amount will do.
Happiness this weekend was...
1. A surprise visit from George while at Herirage -an aid who helped dad when he was in the rehab unit for 6 weeks. They have such a great bond that he calls mom and dad "uncle justin and aunt marcia" as he is their newly added nephew! My dad lit up the room when George strolled in. I can't thank him enough for the happiness he brings with him.
2. Eating spaghetti o's
3. Hanging out w dad and watching The Three Stooges movie and laughing until he cries.
4. Getting his teeth brushed
5. Enjoying a Wendys Frosty :)
6. Sleeping through the night-first full nights sleep since July 4th
7. Jello
8. Yogurt
9. Spending time with his daughters...lol
10. Being home again!
Friday, August 17, 2012
Aug. 17 -Return to Sender
Well after being home for two days, dad is heading back to Heritage for the weekend. He's been feeling sick, vomiting, and has intense stomach pain. I'm hoping he will feel better by late tomorrow or Sunday. He's in a room w no tv or clock! Poor dad, can't catch a break.
Day 42-Home Sweet Home
Dad finally is home today. It's August 15th. The medical supplies were delivered early this morning so he has a hospital bed, hoyer lift, and other needed supplies. Right now, mom only gets a home health aid for an hour in the morning and at bedtime. It's going to be a challenge!
Check our dad's balloon in the pic. The other pic shows dad arriving home in style...via ambulance.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Day 38- That's how we roll!
My birthday was August 8th and Erica's is August 24th- celebrating a birthday just isn't the same without dad. So, my sis and I brought the party to him. We surprised him with one of his favorite dishes (spaghetti) and desserts! Good times! Thanks Mary, Danny, Kent, Shay, and Sarah for joining us. Dad loved it!
Erica's homemade meatballs |
A dinner feast-sure beats nursing home food! |
One proud Papa |
Gangster in a neck brace? |
Never a dull moment! |
Sorry, not a good look dad... |
I love you two! |
Shay and Kent (expecting a baby girl any day now!) |