It’s your birthday – and everyone is remembering you and celebrating the blessing you are to the world!!
The last 2 weeks have also been an incredibly hard time for Oma, Opa and our family. Below is the email that Oma wrote to our family today.
You understand that Opa is sick and that Oma needs our thoughts and prayers to take care of him. Your prayer last night was:
“Thank you God for the food we eat.
“Thank you God for the birds that sing.
“Thank you God for everything.
“Thank you God for making Opa better.
“Thank you God for helping Oma take care of Opa.
“Thank you God that Amy is there to help.
“Thank you God for Jojo and birthdays
“And iPod cases that sparkle.
“Amen.”
On the next one, pay special attention around 2:07 – That is when you start reading your own story of Christmas traditions – You can see Oma’s face recognize it and then Opa’s enjoyment at the end. You rock!!
Oma and Opa spent Christmas with us in Rochester – reading to you, playing with you, meeting your friends at school, having special dinners… This is a time we will always treasure!! Remember when Opa fed Jojo beer?!?!? And Jojo LOVED it!!!!! We laughed SOOOOO HARD!!!
From: Mom and Dad
Date: Sun, 17 Mar 2013 06:16:08 -0500
To: April Luehmann, ranae rohe , Mary Rohe , Bruce Friedrich , Kelly Johson , “MARK.LUEHMANN@cmsenergy.com” , “js_1923@hotmail.com”
Cc: Muriel and Gene, Mom and Dad Lloyd Luehmann , Jessica Stark , John & Julie Falkers , Jonna Stark , Jenessa Stark , Bianca Luehmann , Amy Strande , “gusf@me.com” , shelly rohe , Alka , ruth , Beth , “bettydiersen@gmail.com” , “bjturock@me.com” , LaRae & Clay Fromm , “eunicelow@charter.net” , Cassandra Pierce , “hsylviahall@comcast.net” , jeremiah stark , My Jim , “jnmussell@yahoo.com” , “klongland@sbcglobal.net” , “lfromm@spartan.org” , marilyn friedrich , muriel and gene stark , Rachon Rohe , Uncle Wally
Subject: HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY, MAYA!HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR MAYA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!GOD’S BLESSINGS TO YOU
GOD’S BLESSINGS TO YOU
GOD’S BLESSINGS, DEAR MAYA
GOD’S BLESSINGS TO YOU!I began this email yesterday morning. I was sitting at the computer when I heard a thud from our bedroom. Lloyd was on his way to the bathroom and had fallen. Amy and I helped him to the bathroom, where he passed out. We called 911 and the ambulance came to take him first to the Austin hospital and then on to St. Mary’s in Rochester, where he is now a patient.
Lloyd was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/dementia last May. Shortly after that he quit driving and we sold his car in July. He continued to be very active and involved. Last summer he biked well over 1,000 miles, we continued to go to water aerobics nearly every morning, we volunteered, went to plays and concerts. About two weeks ago, things began to change rapdily and drastically. Lloyd was no longer Lloyd.
Last Sunday morning he tried to leave the house at 2:30 in the morning. When I couldn’t change his mind, I called 911. Police officers arrived and he was taken to the hospital for observation. He spent Sunday and Monday in the hospital and returned home on Tuesday morning. He continued to be very confused and agitated. Amy arrived from Seattle on Wednesday. It has been such a blessing to have her here with me the past few days. Mark arrived from Michigan last night.
The goal at St. Mary’s is to try to regulate a new Alzheimer’s medication he started on Monday night. For Lloyd, this medication has caused increased shaking, weakness in his legs, and increased agitation. The doctor in Rochester has prescribed a different dosage and time for taking the medication. We pray that he can return home, but he will need his meds to be working for him. Right now, they are not.
Sounds like Maya had a very special birthday, with lots of celebrating. She was in our thoughts yesterday as she celebrated her 8th birthday.
Please continue to keep both Lloyd and me in your prayers. It is such a devastating disease.
We send our love,
Miriam
