Bruce's Celebration of Life in Pictures

Bruce's Memorial 020, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Thanks Melinda for posting your thoughts and impressions! Here are some pictures to go along with them:

Bruce's Celebration of Life

I went ahead and put comments under many of the pictures so that you might know who's who.

PRAISE! Praise!

This is Melinda writing without MBA's permission... I just had to say something about today's Celebration of Bruce's life at LaSells Stewart Center. My husband was moved to tears before the event even started when he looked back and saw what looked to be every seat occupied, and people sitting in the upper balcony. What a testimony of what Bruce meant to others! At the end, Duane said it was the best and most meaningful memorial he had ever been to.

It was, once again, a God moment. Very, very powerful; the displays, the refreshment and standing tables, the order of the program, the music, the video tribute -- seeing and hearing Bruce laugh hard was awesome! -- Spencer's essay about his Superman dad, the special song about Bruce, the speakers -- Oh my gosh! The speakers were fabulous, especially Mikaela! -- the account of God's strong presence in Bruce's hospital room, the football chant, and the mingling in the lobby with those who love Bruce was so very special.

I am sure pictures will soon be added to the blog. Let us rejoice with Bruce in singing hallelujah and praise to the King of kings and Lord of lords.

~Melinda

Directions to LaSells Stewart Center and Closest Hotel

Here is a link to a map of the OSU campus and also driving directions to it for those of you coming from out of town.

Click Here: LaSells Stewart Center Directions

Most of the parking lots around the Center are pay lots at $1 per hour. The lot right across the street from LaSells can be accessed via Western Blvd. There are two pay stations in the lot. The nice lady at the LaSells Stewart Center asked me to tell you that the one on the south end, closest to Western Blvd. takes credit cards, paper money, and coins. The one on the north end closest to Reser Stadium will take credit cards but is not too happy with cash or coins, even though it says it takes all three!

HOTEL CLOSEST TO LASELLS STEWART CENTER

The Hilton Garden Inn (click for website), located on the south side of Western Blvd and 26th, is across the street from LaSells Stewart Center. Non-guests of the hotel are asked by OSU to be good neighbors and NOT use the Hilton Garden Inn parking lot while attending the memorial service.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

More information will be posted later but I wanted to get the day and time of Bruce's celebration service so friends and family can plan accordingly:

MONDAY, APRIL 28th AT 1:00 pm AT THE LA SELLS STEWART CENTER IN CORVALLIS.

The Alexander Family has been so loved these last 18 months and continues to be!
We are blessed and sustained daily by your prayers, compassion, acts of kindness and words of encouragement!

THANK YOU FROM THE A TEAM!!

"BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD"

Good & Faithful Servant...

Hello dear friends. This morning at about 6:20, Bruce passed on to truly a better life with Christ. He was VERY peaceful when he left us. Some family was with him. Mary Beth has tremendous peace. The whole family (including Charlie the dog!) had a very precious and special time with Bruce last night.

There are so many God-things to share; His timing is absolutely perfect. Lives have been deeply touched, including the nurses who worked with Bruce. Praises and thanksgiving are lifted up to the One, true God of Love.

The 'A' team has need for family time; they send their love to all. Thank you for caring deeply.

Melinda

A Good Night

Bruce had a shift of people throughout the night. His pain is managed well with high doses that make him unable to communicate. He still has hiccups though.

Mary Beth's brothers gave him a good shave last night. The night nurse was so impressed that his brother-in-laws would do something like that and show such loving care. She said, "Bruce must be great guy!" I was able to tell her a hearty "YES!" to that and told her about the wonderful gathering we had for Bruce in February. He is so loved, and he is a great guy!

Mary Beth came in this morning with coffee in hand. She looked well-rested after a night at home and "pretty in pink" even down to the Pink Converse All-Stars.

She will be talking to Dr. Neville this morning about easing up on pain medications so that Bruce might gain more lucidity. Please pray for wisdom.

Carol

Short note...

Mary Beth hopes to update the blog very soon. She left the hospital last night to sleep, which was a very good thing. Friends are tagging to sit by Bruce until she returns. MBA's brothers, Marco and Mike, took the first shift soon after they arrived from WA. More to come...
~Melinda

Still working...

Hi all. There has not been internet access on the floor of the hospital where Bruce is staying. Thus, we are a little behind on the posts.

Mary Beth has spent the last two nights and all but a few hours during the day with Bruce. In my honest opinion, she is doing very well as Bruce's strongest advocate. She still nicely orders people around, making sure Bruce gets the best care possible in the busy hospital setting. She listens attentively, asks great questions, and sounds like a doctor or nurse when she exchanges medical terms with them.

Last night Pearce used the cell phone to take a picture of MBA and him; it is priceless. If I can figure out how to load it to the blog, I'll post it.

The last two days have been spent with doctors and nurses working to get the right combination of medication into Bruce that would remove his pain and make him lucid. He had a "slick" (MBA's term) and successful epidural placed to try and reach the balance. The doctors said it would take a few days to see if the epidural works toward the balance.

MBA's mom has been such a gem in being with the kids; she is well-versed in this role, and a HUGE help and blessing to Mary Beth. Friends have stayed with Bruce so that MBA could take some much needed rest away from the hospital. Answers to prayers are continually happening; it is such a faith-builder to see God respond to such specific requests. THANK you for them!

Love from Mary Beth and her 'A' team.
~Melinda

Message from Mary Beth...

Mary Beth's Sunday with Bruce began at 10 a.m. She took a couple of hours away this evening to be with the kids and to get ready to stay the night with Bruce. MBA's sister left today and her mom is still here to help.

Bruce is heavily sedated and sleeping comfortably, which is the goal while he is in the hospital. There have been a few episodes of agitation and discomfort. There have also been some "funnies" by Bruce that had me laughing aloud. One of them occurred before MaryBeth arrived this morning. I had just gotten off the phone with MBA, while sitting with Bruce. He was trying to find a comfortable position when I told him MBA would be here in an hour (which was the truth). With his eyes closed, and in his quiet voice, Bruce said, "MaryBeth said she'd be here in an hour four hours ago." I did a double-take, then asked Bruce if he just said the above statement. He said, "Yes." I laughed and said, "She did NOT!" He said, "Yes, she did." The whole time his eyes were closed and he said that on purpose. It cracked me up.

A CT scan was done today; it was difficult for Bruce to get through because of the pain. They will meet with doctors tomorrow to figure out the next step.

Your love and prayers are greatly appreciated. MBA's requests are:

* Please be sensitive with the questions you ask the kids regarding how their dad is doing.
* Pray Bruce may come home;
* Pray for rest (for all);

~Melinda

Bruce is resting...

and so is Mary Beth. It's been a long and rough day at the hospital. Finding the balance of medication to match Bruce's pain took a long time. He is now heavily sedated, sleeping soundly, and under watchful eyes of a tag-team of friends throughout tonight while Mary Beth rests at home with her mom and sister.

Keep praying in any way the Lord leads you.
~Melinda for the Alexanders

Please No Drop-In Visitors...

Mary Beth requests that no one stop by the hospital to see Bruce unless she invites you. The update from her is that Bruce had a rough night and morning with pain and nausea. He will not be coming home today.

MBA's mom and sister are in charge of the kids today; Charlie and the kids LOVE having them here! Mary Beth had a good night's sleep and strong cup of coffee, and is doing well for now.

Thanks much to those of you who emailed with available days/times to help the Alexanders. Email more and I'll keep a running calendar for MBA to use.
Melinda

Bruce Checked In and Resting

Quick update. Bruce had to wait a few hours, but he was checked in at about 1:30 today.

We chatted about old Navigator friends and about the ABC Primetime Report last night about "The Last Lecture." It was quite timely for them to watch it. Just click here if you missed it:

The Last Lecture

Keep praying!

Carol

Another Update...

This is Melinda writing for MaryBeth. If you haven't seen yesterday's post by MBA, you may want to read that first.

Duane and I got to see the Alexander family last night, as we dropped off Dream dinners (Thank you ALL who continue to keep their account stocked each month!). MBA showed off the AWESOME job her brothers did in the garage and patio. Wow!

We visited a bit, watched "Idol" with them, and the report is the family is living life together knowing that God is in control. Bruce was his cordial self; the kids are sweet (and bug each other every now and then); Mary Beth was honest about areas that she needs help.

This morning as Bruce waited for his radiation appointment, his pain increased to where the doctor decided to admit him. Mikaela is with the boys; Carol W is with MBA (brought her a coffee, of course); MBA's mom and sister will arrive tonight.

What can you do?
* Please pray for EACH person's health (physical, emotional, spiritual).

* If you have windows of time free to "jump", when called, for any errand MBA may need (kids picked up, quick goody run for Bruce, sitting with Bruce...), please email me at ameele@comcast.net with your phone number and the day and time frame in which you are free. This will be at MBA's disposal when she needs something.

Take care; God is worthy.

UPDATE

Bruce has been having lower back pain for a couple weeks. Dr Neville increased his pain meds and started him on a new one last week. They haven't helped much with the pain but have made him drowsy enough to help him sleep....which has been good...even if for short periods of time. His pain increased enough to go in to see Dr Neville, his oncologist, on Tuesday. X-Rays did not reveal anything, so an MRI was ordered. The MRI would show us if the cancer was causing the pain or not and help determine if radiation would be an option for an effective form of pain management. Bruce went in this afternoon to have his MRI, but was unable to complete the scan due to the excruciating pain involved in laying still and flat. There is talk of possibly being admitted to the hospital, getting IV pain meds for quicker pain relief so he can get comfortable enough to complete a scan. While talking to hospice and hospital admitting, Dr Neville called to say that radiology had just called and they had enough imaging to show that, indeed, there is evidence of cancer in the bones in the pelvic area. Dr Neville wants to start radiation as soon as possible to give Bruce the needed pain relief and we should hopefully hear from the radiation dept on Thurs to get things rolling. ..... Well, I just hung up from the radiation center and Bruce is scheduled for radiation at 9:30am tomorrow. Talk about amazing personal medical care!! Literally, all this unfolded while I was typing this post....I started this post after Bruce's MRI attempt to ask for prayer.....and every time I started typing, I would get a call, change the sentence, get another call, change the sentence, and so on....I'm not expecting any more phone calls, so this is where we stand right now: we will keep Bruce as comfortable as possible here at home and start radiation tomorrow at 9:30.

Please pray that Bruce would get some pain relief, have a decent night's sleep (me too) and that our kids would once again be prepared to handle this news and have what they need to work through it. Bruce and I are doing well. We are not surprised by the news, just saddened by the reality of cancer and the impact it is having on Bruce's body and our family.
Thank you for your prayers.

In His Care,
Bruce and MBA