We want to warmly welcome you all to a celebration of the life of Karla, my mom. It will be Saturday, January 3rd at 10:30 am at City of Grace Church Mesa Campus (in the Family Life Center) 655 E. University Dr. Mesa, Arizona 85203. We would love for you all to join us.
Thank you for your prayers, support, care, and love for all of us through this. We treasure you all.
Blessings,
Heather Hofman
Monday, December 29, 2008
Update 12/29/08
Karla went home to be with Jesus about 1:15 today (Monday). It was a peaceful time with each family member having time to say good-bye and express their love to Karla. The family is currently meeting with pastors and making plans for her celebration service. The blog will be updated with service information just as soon as arrangements are made and once again, I know that the Tesch family is so grateful for the support you’ve given and appreciates your thoughts and prayers at this time.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Karla's Update - Evening 12/28/08
I just got off the phone with Dave & Heather and they asked that I update you this evening on Karla. The doctors have said that she does NOT have pneumonia as earlier thought but is fighting infection in her body. They have her on antibiotics but need to have a clearer diagnosis to attack the infection with specific medications.
Karla was having difficulty in her breathing this morning and doctors made the decision to put her on a ventilator. Each family member had a chance to spend time with Karla and communicate their love with her before the ventilator went in and Karla was no longer able to verbally communicate. She is, however, still responding with hand squeezes and toe wiggles.
After a period of very low blood pressure and several tries to stabilize it, the doctors were able to find a medication to stabilize her and bring her blood pressure back to a normal range. The doctor was amazed at her ability to communicate even at a point of such low pressure. He said that medically she should not have been able to do that. We serve a great God!
Tomorrow is Jack & Karla's 39th wedding anniversary. Karla told Jack today that her gift to him is her life and that she wants to be alive tomorrow. As they have served each other faithfully over the years, Jack is now having the opportunity to serve his wife in sickness and in health. And may I add... I think he is starring! May they both have the strength tomorrow to appreciate the day and their love for each other.
Dave reiterated that the next 12-24 hours are critical. Please pray that the doctors can successfully diagnose the infection and treat it effectively and her body would respond to the antibiotics, that her blood pressure and other vitals will remain stable, and that each family member will have the strength and peace of God through this. Again, with the most genuine sincerity, both Dave and Heather expressed their gratitude for your prayers, your visits, your love and concern. They know you are praying and are seeing God at work. So, on behalf of the Tesch's once again, thank you, thank you, thank you. May you be blessed.
Pamela Schurmann
Karla was having difficulty in her breathing this morning and doctors made the decision to put her on a ventilator. Each family member had a chance to spend time with Karla and communicate their love with her before the ventilator went in and Karla was no longer able to verbally communicate. She is, however, still responding with hand squeezes and toe wiggles.
After a period of very low blood pressure and several tries to stabilize it, the doctors were able to find a medication to stabilize her and bring her blood pressure back to a normal range. The doctor was amazed at her ability to communicate even at a point of such low pressure. He said that medically she should not have been able to do that. We serve a great God!
Tomorrow is Jack & Karla's 39th wedding anniversary. Karla told Jack today that her gift to him is her life and that she wants to be alive tomorrow. As they have served each other faithfully over the years, Jack is now having the opportunity to serve his wife in sickness and in health. And may I add... I think he is starring! May they both have the strength tomorrow to appreciate the day and their love for each other.
Dave reiterated that the next 12-24 hours are critical. Please pray that the doctors can successfully diagnose the infection and treat it effectively and her body would respond to the antibiotics, that her blood pressure and other vitals will remain stable, and that each family member will have the strength and peace of God through this. Again, with the most genuine sincerity, both Dave and Heather expressed their gratitude for your prayers, your visits, your love and concern. They know you are praying and are seeing God at work. So, on behalf of the Tesch's once again, thank you, thank you, thank you. May you be blessed.
Pamela Schurmann
Karla's Health Update 12/28/08
Heather called this morning and asked me to pray and update you on Karla's status. Karla was moved into ICU at Scottsdale Osborn last night. It looks that she may have pneumonia and the doctors have communicated that the next 24 hours are critical. Heather and Dave are on their way to see her now and will bring another update when they are able.
Please continue to pray for Karla and I know that the Tesch family is grateful for your support and prayers.
Pamela Schurmann
(Friend)
Please continue to pray for Karla and I know that the Tesch family is grateful for your support and prayers.
Pamela Schurmann
(Friend)
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Karla's Health Update 12/27/08
Mom needed some morphine today along with her other pain medicine. She is in a lot of pain and continues to be quite shaky and tired. We are grateful that she continues to want to fight and get better as we see the challenges she faces.
We find ourselves stepping into the hallway to cry as when she sees us cry, she cries too. We step back into her room and find strength from our Lord to be strong for her and maintain a peaceful, comforting atmosphere for her. She rests much easier when someone is sitting by her bedside. She likes when we say encouraging things to her and pray for her. She enjoys our company and humor.
Thank you for your continued prayers and loving support through this time in our lives.
Most grateful,
Heather Hofman
We find ourselves stepping into the hallway to cry as when she sees us cry, she cries too. We step back into her room and find strength from our Lord to be strong for her and maintain a peaceful, comforting atmosphere for her. She rests much easier when someone is sitting by her bedside. She likes when we say encouraging things to her and pray for her. She enjoys our company and humor.
Thank you for your continued prayers and loving support through this time in our lives.
Most grateful,
Heather Hofman
Karla's Health Update 12/27/2008
Good Evening,
Adjusting to new places and schedules is never easy. Mom is doing her best to adjust well. The new facility is a bit busier and quiet times are less frequent. She commented that the food tasted better than in the hospital and ate a little more than usual. She is trying her best to sit up with assistance. She is so happy to have family and friends visit that it often brings her to tears. She appears to be more alert but the strength to carry long conversations drains her. She is so thankful for the assistance given to her. Please continue to pray for increased appetite and desire to eat. Pray that strength and added mobility would return and be of encouragement to Mom to further work through this difficult time. She is a real trooper and feels more at rest when family or friends are near and sleeps better during these times.
She appreciates your continued thoughts and prayers as well as our entire family.
Dave Hofman
Adjusting to new places and schedules is never easy. Mom is doing her best to adjust well. The new facility is a bit busier and quiet times are less frequent. She commented that the food tasted better than in the hospital and ate a little more than usual. She is trying her best to sit up with assistance. She is so happy to have family and friends visit that it often brings her to tears. She appears to be more alert but the strength to carry long conversations drains her. She is so thankful for the assistance given to her. Please continue to pray for increased appetite and desire to eat. Pray that strength and added mobility would return and be of encouragement to Mom to further work through this difficult time. She is a real trooper and feels more at rest when family or friends are near and sleeps better during these times.
She appreciates your continued thoughts and prayers as well as our entire family.
Dave Hofman
Friday, December 26, 2008
Karla's Health Update 12/26/08
Good Morning,
It was decided that it would be best if Mom was moved to a better facility that can better meet her needs right now. She was moved to Scottsdale Nursing and Rehab last night. She will have physical therapy three times a day for now. Her dilantin level went down to 19 yesterday. We are grateful for this continuous improvement. She is very limited in her strength and mobility at this time.
It was a tough day watching Mom continue to struggle, be in discomfort, and cry. She continues to be determined to get better, beat the odds, and bless those around her. She attempts to do small exercises while in her bed such as finger walks up to lifted knees, ankle pumps, pulling her arms above her head, etc. She is still very appreciative and grateful. She is quick to thank you for anything you do for her. When her nurse, Jenny, at the hospital was leaving her shift, she introduced Mom to the next shift nurse. Mom told Jenny how much she appreciated how gentle and caring Jenny had been to her, with tears in her eyes. Jenny then told Mom she just had to give her a hug as she also cried. Mom continues to be the sweet loving person she is.
Dad has been very strong. He is tired and not liking coming home to an empty house. It has been a difficult few days for all of us. But, we are grateful we have the Lord helping us with this all, we have each other, and we have you. Thank you dear family and friends.
Please continue to pray for Mom's health to improve, dilantin levels to continue to lower, that she is protected from the cancer spreading/worsening while off of chemo for now, she gains more strength and mobility, discomforts stop, and she remains positive.
Many blessings to you all,
Heather Hofman
It was decided that it would be best if Mom was moved to a better facility that can better meet her needs right now. She was moved to Scottsdale Nursing and Rehab last night. She will have physical therapy three times a day for now. Her dilantin level went down to 19 yesterday. We are grateful for this continuous improvement. She is very limited in her strength and mobility at this time.
It was a tough day watching Mom continue to struggle, be in discomfort, and cry. She continues to be determined to get better, beat the odds, and bless those around her. She attempts to do small exercises while in her bed such as finger walks up to lifted knees, ankle pumps, pulling her arms above her head, etc. She is still very appreciative and grateful. She is quick to thank you for anything you do for her. When her nurse, Jenny, at the hospital was leaving her shift, she introduced Mom to the next shift nurse. Mom told Jenny how much she appreciated how gentle and caring Jenny had been to her, with tears in her eyes. Jenny then told Mom she just had to give her a hug as she also cried. Mom continues to be the sweet loving person she is.
Dad has been very strong. He is tired and not liking coming home to an empty house. It has been a difficult few days for all of us. But, we are grateful we have the Lord helping us with this all, we have each other, and we have you. Thank you dear family and friends.
Please continue to pray for Mom's health to improve, dilantin levels to continue to lower, that she is protected from the cancer spreading/worsening while off of chemo for now, she gains more strength and mobility, discomforts stop, and she remains positive.
Many blessings to you all,
Heather Hofman
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