I just want to say thank you to all of you that attended Ric's service yesterday.  It really meant a lot to have you all there, and enjoy the much love Ric and I shared.  I am just going to post my speech, and Chelsea's speech for all that could not make the service yesterday.  For you all that could not attend...we do have a DVD.  I sent it to Regina, so my grandmother could view the service in the comfort of her home.

I remember a lot about daddy...But the thing I remember the most about him is when he would go downstairs every Saturday and play the drums.  One day, just me and daddy went mini-golfing, I got a hole in one!  I MISS daddy so much, I REALLY wish he was still here so I could give him a big hug.  He has a special place in  my heart.

Ric is a remarkable human being.  He is a  son, a brother, a husband, a father, and a loyal friend.

When I think about Ric many words come to mind...loving, caring ,tender, courageous, strong, wonderful, beautiful, peaceful, intelligent, brave, musical, dignified, gentle, warm, handsome, inspirational, and sports enthusiast.

The last 9 months have been difficult, although not as difficult as the day I lost him forever.  My heart sank so deep on the 26th of March, the morning Ric took his last breath.  I miss his warm touch, his tender smile, the gentle way he carried himself.  I tell my girls we must keep telling our stories about their daddy, as this will keep Ric alive in our hearts.  As Ric fought this ugly beast we call cancer, he never ever said "why me!"  He said "why not me?"  He was never angry with his diagnosis.  Ric is one of the bravest men I have met!  He fought with all he had, he is so courageous.  I am very proud of the dignified fight he fought.  I just wish it had a better outcome.  I will miss you Ric, I will never forget you!!

I also want to say thank you so very much to Ric's cousin Warren Pearce...who did a wonderful job as presider.   Thank you to Kelly and Chris Craig for playing some music prior to the service.  Thank you to Mark Bergen for your wonderful photo tribute...and thank you so very much Peter Morrow for your tribute to my wonderful husband.  Thank you to Sharon for catering...food was lovely.  I hope I covered everyone, and apologize if I forgot anyone.

I just want to let anyone know that whoever did not get a service folder at the service, I have plenty here at the house...I could mail them out, or if you are around you may pick them up.

I am deeply saddened  to report that Ric has passed away early this morning.  I just want you all to know that Ric did not suffer in his final hours.  He will be dearly missed by his little girls and his wife; and all his family and wonderful friends who supported us through this difficult journey.  We will have Ric's celebration of life on the 31st of March at 10:30 am.  The service will be held at the Chapel of the Bells, located at 2720 Centre Street North in Calgary. 

I just wanted to send out a very quick post to update you all.  As you all know this has been a very emotional time for the Day family...Ric was supposed to go to hospice this week...this week has come and gone, Ric is still at home with me and the girls.  Ric has chosen to stay at home...and I have to stand by my man!  This may mean his final days may be at home with us...but this is what Ric wants and I want to honour that request for my loving husband. 

Ric and I want to express our gratitude to all of you who keep reading and supporting our family in this particularly hard time.  We are also grateful to all of you who supported the patient transport, and set up a trust fund for our family.  I can't begin to say how much this means to my family.  I also thank you all for being there for me...when I needed that shoulder to cry on...I will really need that shoulder, if not many, over the next couple of days as this continues to get tougher and tougher! 

First I would like to explain this is not Tracy writing this post. Like all of you who faithfully read this blog I consider Ric & Tracy very dear friends. I have been amazed by their strength, courage, grace, and love for one another as Ric battles brain cancer. Often in times like these one wants to help yet is unsure how. Also, I know many of the Day's dear friends/family are not geographically close enough to offer hands on support.

As you know Ric's Symcor family, and neighbors have been fundraising to ensure that Ric and Tracy have safe transport to and from appointments. Due to overwhelming response a Trust Account has been established in Tracy's name at Scotiabank, Tracy has sole signing authority for this account. For those who would like to contribute/support the family in this manner a donation can be made at any Scotiabank. Simply reference the following account # 92569 01853 88, and confirm the account is the Day Family Trust. Our thoughts and good wishes as always to Ric, Tracy, their girls and the rest of Ric's team. Thanks to Tracy for allowing us to post this, and to Scotiabank Tuscany for their assistance. Thanks also to those who have assisted in coordinating efforts to support the Day's and all of our fight against cancer.

Colin & Sheila George

It is very sad for me to report that Ric will be moving into a hospice sometime this week.  Our homecare nurse said it is time...as Ric has very limited strength.  We have managed fairly well, within the past few days however;  there has been many challenges...his bladder or bowel are no longer funtioning properly.  We wanted to have to weekend together with family as I was not ready for the move prior.  I know Ric will be well taken of...as I will spend as much time as I am able to with him once this transition takes place.  This was very hard for me to tell the girls that there dad may never return home...I hear the staff and facilities are wonderful for families.

If anyone wants to send there coments or for me to pass any messages along to Ric...just write them in the blog...I will do my best to pass them along to him.  Telephone calls are appreciated...although Ric does not communicate much these days...he does listen.  Private emails are always welcome. 

Don't know what I just did there...must be the lack of sleep!  I just want to say thank you to Ric's co-workers and some very nice neighbours for our new method of transportation.  I just wish palliative care covered some of that cost! 

Ric is still very week!  He has had several falls, due to lack of energy.  The last couple days have not been good as Ric is struggling with nausea and vomiting.  We just started giving some anti-nausea meds for this, but Ric is not eating much, if at all!  I am hoping this will change...as it stresses me out!  The days are a challenge for us, we are getting some help from my mother-in-law.  She will get here tomorrow, could use the help now in the home.  As time goes on, I spend any moment with Ric I can...so of course the girls are off playing too much on the electronic devices in the home.  I am trying to get them involved with Ric, I do think they are scared sometimes, especially when Ric is sick, or is in pain.  We try very hard to control his pain, the unfortunate outcome of this is the drowsiness from the meds.  I am glad to say Ric is laying next to right now, it seems he has not been in as much pain today, or yesterday...maybe radiation is starting to help.

I will try my best to post a bit more, I cannot promise anything, as some days are crazy, and I am truly exhausted by the end of the day.



 

We have had a very busy week and a half.  Just getting in to treatments and meeting with all the homecare team...the girls had there first meeting with a lady who is in charge of support for young kids, she works for  hospice Calgary.  We have a great new means of transportion to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre...a patient transport team comes to pick Ric up via stretcher, loads him in the vehicle and takes him and I to and from the T.B.  We tried a taxi service but Ric had a fall when we got home on Tuesday after radiation.    

Just want to give you all a quick update...Ric's radiation therapy has been bumped up to the 24th, tomorrow.  This has been bumped up due to the increased pain in the neck area.  Home care took care of that for us.  Ric will be seeing a speech therapist tomorrow, he is choking on  some foods.  We discovered over the weekend that Ric cannot push his tongue into his left cheek.  We hope speech can help with this.

Just want to say thank you to all of you who continue to help us in the ways you do...we are so grateful to each and everyone of you.