Arrangements

Friends & Family,

First and foremost, thank you for your countless thoughts and prayers these last few days.  We are definitely feeling them. We have finalized the arrangements for our Mom and wanted to pass them along.

The visitation will take place on Friday, July 25 from 3 - 6 p.m. in Peoria. There will be a brief memorial service immediately following at the funeral home. All are invited to stay or come back for it. There will be a private burial on Saturday at Clarendon Hills Cemetery in Darien, IL.

Visitation - Friday, July 25 / 3 - 6 p.m.

Woolsey Wilton Mortuary

2408 W. Willow Knolls Dr.

Peoria, IL 61614

309-691-3456

We're recommending the Wingate (near The Shoppes at Grand Prairie) in the event you need hotel accommodations.

Wingate by Wyndham 

7708 N. Route 91

Peoria, IL 61615

309-589-0033

Memorials can be made in the name of Susan Taylor to the American Cancer Society at:

4234 N. Knoxville

Peoria, IL 61614

If you have any questions, please let us know.  We will be back in Peoria on Thursday and can be reached at 309-839-1334 (Bridget & Bob's home number) or 309-648-7254 (Bridget's cell).

Thank you again for all your love and support. 

Bridget & Bob, Patrick, Hank & Rebecca

Friends & Family,

It is with incredible sadness we share with you that our Mom passed late yesterday afternoon. There has never been a battle our Mom couldn't win, but unfortunately, this one was bigger than even her. Just six very short weeks ago, we learned we had a long journey ahead of us...that journey ended up being much shorter than we could have ever imagined. We learned on Wednesday that the cancer had taken over our Mom's liver to such an extent that treatment was no longer a viable option. Fortunately for all of us, we spent her last days together as a family sharing stories and love. Our Mom went extremely peacefully. We know she's here with us today watching over us as we continue to honor her great legacy in the beautiful home she and Hunt created for all of us to fill with many memories.

We will post another blog as soon as the details have been finalized. At this time, we are tentatively planning a visitation / memorial for our Mom on Friday in Peoria.

We can't begin to express our sincere thanks for all your prayers and love. Please keep them coming as we need them now more than ever.

Much love,
Bridget & Bob, Patrick, Hank & Rebecca

Oncologist Visit

This update is from Bridget...

Hello all,

I just returned from Winter Park tonight after spending the weekend with my mom and Hunt. I flew down Friday night to visit and go along with them to the oncologist today.  

We really liked her new doctor, Dr. Kayaleh. He is very kind and gentle and after spending just a short period of time with him, we are convinced that my mom is in the best of hands.  My mom has had a rough week and hasn't felt well since returning to Winter Park.  That was immediately evident to Dr. Kayaleh when he met her and because he was concerned about alleviating her pain and getting her strength back, he decided to admit her to the hospital this afternoon.  We're not yet sure how long she'll be there, but again, his number one priority is to help her feel better quickly.  Fortunately, MD Anderson is affiliated with Orlando Regional Hospital so she didn't have to leave the building to be admitted.

He also discussed treatment options with us and confirmed my mom will undergo chemo. While he didn't say when she'll begin, we definitely get the impression she'll start sooner than later so they can begin to shrink the lesions in her liver and get her feeling better. 

I talked with my mom and Hunt a few hours ago after returning to Peoria. My mom already sounds better.  Hunt is doing well also and was just getting ready to head home to be with the dogs for the night.

We'll keep you posted once we have a better feel for when she'll be able to come home. Keep those prayers coming!

Slide Show

The folks at Sander's got together some pictures and made a slideshow.  Thank you to them all.

Here is the link

http://www.sanderstools.com/customer/satosu/images/ebay/susanandhunt.wmv

Will have to cut and paste above link.

Back in Winter Park

Hi, Friends & Family,

I'm happy to say we have safely arrived home in Winter Park.  Friday made for a long day, but we've managed to have a restful and quiet weekend with Hank and Patrick and "the boys." Harry, Winston and Wookie are happy to be home, although they do miss Lola and Lupe'! We all watched a movie Saturday night. Hank flew home earlier this afternoon and Patrick will be here until Tuesday. 

Hunt and I are planning a quiet week. We're looking forward to a visit from my nephew and niece, Shawn and Margaret and Elyse and Holden next week. It will be great to see them!

Talk to you all soon.

Love,

Susan

This update is from Bridget...

Hello everyone! 

It's been a while since we've updated you all and we have much to tell you!  After a much unexpected extended stay in Peoria, Mom and Hunt are flying back to Winter Park tomorrow night.  Hank and Patrick left this morning in the car, along with Harry, Winston and Wookie. They'll be there in time to pick Mom and Hunt up from the airport tomorrow night and will stay through the weekend with them.  

We saw Dr. Knost, an oncologist from the Peoria Cancer Center, last week.  He told us that MD Anderson, a well-known cancer center,  has a location in Orlando and referred Mom to one of the colon cancer specialists there.  We're all very excited to hear she'll be under such great care and so close to home.  Her first appointment is July 14 and we'll keep you updated.

Bob & I are really going to miss having a house full of family and friends!  We hope you'll all continue to visit us even though Mom and Hunt are leaving. We're especially going to miss having our live-in help, Hunt.  Our house will never be this clean again! Thanks, Hunt!

Mom plans to send another update this weekend once they get home...so stay tuned.

Have a safe and happy fourth of July.  As always, thank you for your continued warm thoughts and prayers.

Bridget  

Hi Friends & Family,

Things are coming along well and each day I am feeling a little stronger. Hunt, my best buddy, and "The Kids" have been terrific. I have been in the best hands ever. My sister and Jim arrive this afternoon and I am looking forward to seeing them.

I have an appointment with an Oncologist this Wednesday and I will keep you informed of our game plan.

Once again thank you very much for the prayers and positive support.

Love to all of you---Susan

Ellie's Doing Fantastic...

This update is from Patrick and Bridget...

Hank and I got down from Chicago on Friday around 5 p.m.  We were treated to dinner that was brought over by Larry, Mary and Betsy (and Paige & Tucker).  It was very nice of them and great to see them all.   The Rassi's delivered a delicious breakfast this morning.  Needless to say, we're staying very well fed!  Thank you!

Ellie is doing well and is feeling better and better every day.  Yesterday was a great day...we did some shopping and we're headed out for more shortly!  She's resting and recovering here at Bridget and Bobby's -- what a God send their new place has been.  There's room for all of us to be together in Peoria.  

Mom said she'd post another update later today or tomorrow...stay tuned!  Thank you for all your love and support!

June 16, Doctor's Appointment

I seem to be healing pretty well and the doctor is impressed with my progress. I will see an oncologist on June 15th and will see what future actions will be taken at that time. They have made great strides in treatment of cancer. Rebecca's father is an oncologist and seems to be on top of the situation. Hunt, Bridget, Bobby, Hank, Rebecca and Patrick have been a God send. We should have some sort of a game plan in the near future. I shall keep you all informed of our plans.

Thank all of you for your support and love,

Susan

Hi Family & Friends,  

There has been a huge change in our lives since we left Winter Park.  I am happy to say I did come home from the hospital on Thursday and I am mending as I write.  It  will be a long journey, but with all the support and love I will give it my best shot.

Thank all of you for the flowers and love.

I have a Doctors appointment on Monday and will keep all of you informed of my progress.

First blog

This is the first entry on Ellie's blog.  It will be a work in process!