60

Mom would have been 60 today. Married 34 on Saturday.
We miss you.

Ma

I was there when you left. I saw you go.
When will I see you again? I simply do not know.
Will my children know you; will they imagine your face?
How can I ever show them your amazing grace?
A shining star, a lighthouse shining home
No matter where I go I know I am never alone.
We are closer now than we have ever been
I hold you in my heart forever - locked in.
I saw the rainbow – surely you left it as a sign
Knowing immediately that you, at last, were fine.
I love you now, and I always will
You're legacy continues much left to fulfill.
Until we meet again, on that special day
Together we will be, for all I have to do is pray.

Thanks Mama!

An hour after my mom passed away we walked outside to start making our phone calls. My sister looked up and pointed out a beautiful rainbow that had graced the morning sky.

Merk said "Thanks Memaw". And as quickly as it appeared it went away.

We took some pictures with our phones and I wanted to share them with you.

Christie Blevins Torbett

Beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend went to be with her Savior on May 25th. Christie was preceded in death by her father, Reverend John Hugh Blevins, brother Steven Blevins, baby grandson Chance Kristofer Bailey and on May 22nd, sister in law Lovella Steever. She leaves behind her husband of 33 years, Billy Torbett, their children; Amy K. Bailey, Adam K. Sullivan, Alyssa K. Torbett-Anguiano and Alan K. Torbett, Sons in law Merk Bailey and Ramon Anguaino and daughter in law Christy Sullivan. “Memaw" to Jordan, Brandon, Merky, Rayce, Mercadies, Caleb, Jacob, Josiah, Brayden, Harley and MacKenna.Christie is also survived by her mother Hazel Pearl Blevins, sister and brother in law, Barbara and Jack Dobbs, brother and sister in law Marvin and Frances Blevins and brother and sister in law Harold and Lou Blevins. Christie also leaves behind her in laws, Buck and Mary Staton, and Herman Steever and Sandy Blevins.Christie had 11 nieces and 9 nephews and many loved cousins.She will be missed by countless friends and colleagues, many of whom have known and loved her for over 40 years. In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable donation in her name to: DREAM Fund,P.O. Box 600593,Dallas, Texas 75360.Funeral Service is at 10 AM Saturday, May 31, 2008 at First Baptist Church of Duncanville, 323 W. Wheatland Road @ Santa Fe Trail. Burial follows at Little Bethel Cemetery. Visitation is 7-9 PM, Friday at Jaynes Memorial Chapel,Duncanville, TX 75137.

It is finished.
We are at peace, and wish the same for each and every one of you. Arrangment information to follow.
God Bless.

Thank you so much for your prayers and sweet thoughts and love for our dear mother. After a very challenging weekend she is resting and we are having some very precious moments with her. Because of these memories in the making we have decided to ask that we have some time to ourselves as a family. Please know that we feel the outpouring of kindness and are so very blessed to have met and grown to love so many new friends and to share stories with you all. Please keep our family in your prayers and ask for our courage and peace for our sweet mom and your friend, and loved one.
God bless !

Finally, a moment to catch up.
This has been a very tough couple of weeks for Mom. Although there are some really good moments, that, unfortunately is what we must focus on, moments, not days or weeks. She did get to go to the Dolly Parton concert, but had some troubles and we had to take her home at intermission, still, it was a wonderful time and we are so thankful for that.
The day after the concert, Mom began having some trouble and refused her medication. Much of her medication is life sustaining and therefore, it was quite troubling for us to accept her refusal. After talking with her, we thought that it meant that she was tired of trying to fight the valiant way she had been, so we simply decided to respect her decision to let nature take its course, for me this was especially difficult because I know the medical misery that decision would cause her in the interim...so I called and had a hospice team come out and we are being assisted by them and their knowledge and professional way to respect mom's wishes. She is now only taking meds which keep her comfortable, and she does not complain at all. She has since made a turn and seems to be willing to eat at least, not much though. It is hard to know what she truly wants because cognitively, she is sliding more and more everyday. We just ask that you pray for us and know that we are doing everything we can to make sure that mom is comfortable and is cared for with the most love one could imagine. Also, note: She is aware of what the hospice team is there for and is cooperating with the nurses when they come. At the end of the day I believe that the call to hospice was a good one, as they have explained to me that the goal is to make life for the patient and family easier, and I feel like I have surrendered, but in a good way. Thank you for all of your love and concern.

The balloon release was cool, and we had some giggles. Adam took us all out to dinner at Luigi's and for the first time in a long time, my parents and all 4 of their children had a meal together, it was really nice. It was a long day for Mom and she had a few issues before bed but she is better this morning. Medication stabilization is a daily battle, but luckily is something that can be worked out.

First of the Lasts

Today is the first last....After today, Mom will not have any more radiation! It has been tough on her to go daily down to Baylor, and endure these treatments. We will be stepping outside shortly after her last treatment today, (approximately 2pm) and releasing some balloons for a symbolic freedom from the dreaded "machine." Feel free to join us if you are in the area and as always visitors are welcome to my house anytime. Chemotherapy should be finished up in 7 more days provided we do not have anymore setbacks such as the past weekend with the E/R and all. ( Mom had to get some IV fluids and some special care because she was dehydrated and very very weak, but is doing better as I write. We are looking forward to Mother's Day and are hoping we will be able to take Mom to see Dolly that night! She is such a fan and we are eagerly awaiting the "hook up" so we can ensure she is comfy at the concert. We will let everyone know how it goes...she is really excited about it. A special hello to DREAM fund members and the many friends that mom has in her media family. We are still so overwhelmed at the outpouring of such grace and love in its many forms!!!
SOC buddies, let us hear from you...she asks everyday when y'all are coming for girls' night again! In fact we are going to try to take her to LUIGI's 2 night! Remember people, mi casa es su casa so come see us! My sister and I could use a little relief even if it is just to go to Wal-Mart! Thank goodness Dad goes home to Grand Prairie to rest on Friday nights and comes back after church on Sundays...he is exhausted too. Thanks for all the prayers and we love you all!
Amy

update

Things are moving right along...she has good days and not so good days but we are grateful for each day. love 2 all!
amy

Weekend

this weekend is a good one for visits, Mom is feeling great and is anxious to "see her peeps" her words....see y'all soon!
amy

This is it! Sooooo Katie Holmes/Posh Spice!

Howdy do!

Mom got some new hair and she is sooooooooooooooo stylin'. A big fan of hair myself I am over the moon! Pix to follow. She is doing about the same and had a girl's night with her SOC buddies lastnight. Thanx ladies, it was nice for my fam to get out for a bit just us. Weekends are especially difficult for Mom because without therapy and radiation, she is bored and seems to want to stay in bed. It is important that we keep her up as much as possible, because as you all know, bed makes your muscles atrophy. Any visits on the weekend will be looked upon as real help. I am trying to upload pix now, so bear with.....more later!
Love,
Amy

Ta-Da! Here's a quickie!
During therapy yesterday, Mom received a gorgeous plant from " her girls" Jen, Kay and Kaelin. She told me to specifically " Put a thank you on the blob" there it is and to you girls I thank you too. Knowing how much you love my mother is a great comfort to me and I think of you everyday and know you are in our corner! Also bearing a bunch of gorgeous photos of Mom and a beautiful flower arrangement, was Toni Rogers Jones. She and Barbara Fugate came to see Mom lastnight and they had a look of relief as they left.... We really are taking good care of her if I do say so myself. Chemo will resume Friday evening, after the big mail-order controversy with the insurance. Thank God in heaven the co-pay is minimal. My boys are being so sweet and Jordan is enjoying making his "Memaw" Jell-O every night. My husband is also designated lifter and shifter when he is home in the evenings. We will figure it out soon! My sister was here and had a hard time leaving, she started for Oklahoma at 5 and made it out the door around 8:30 p.m. She even treated Mom and I to mani-pedi's! I was so glad Mama was able to sit thru and actually enjoy it! She was a big help this week and I hated to see her go, but her kids need her more than I do right now. She will be back next week. Adam is coming out Saturday so that Merk and I can go to Holli's 40th. So So glad I don't have to miss it, I haven't in many many years. For you SOC folks, Holli is my Eileen, or my Pat....We have been friends since Jr. High and I am proud to say that I have several of my Kimball Knight Alumni that I speak to at least weekly. Friends are so important to us all, so thanks so much for being such good ones.
Wow what a love fest this thing is....I am grateful for all the love coming from so many places. Keep it Up...PLEASE!
Love,
Amy

Home

Well, so much for doing better at updates...but we got Mom home and all is relatively well. We are working out the kinks and working on some semblance of routine. Mom has physical thereapy all morning and radiation all afternoon, so visits after that are best. I will give directions when you call, so just give a shout when you want to come out. My number is 214-460-3180. If I don't answer, just understand it is probably because I am with Mom, I WILL call you back. Thanks so much for all the love and I look forward to seeing bunches of folks!
Amy

pix

Hey SOC Golden Bear peeps.....who took these photos of Mama? (the ones posted) We would be so grateful for a print. She loves these pictures of herself and they motivate her! Please respond and let me know how we can solve this mystery of the gorgeous pix!!!!
Thank You!
Amy

Update

Well, as if y'all did not know...my Mom is sooooooo brave.
She took her first chemo pill lastnight, despite her immense fear of nausea. I shook as I held it out to her and she took it and was not ill all night. 1 down 41 to go.
She begins radiation Thursday and then hopefully discharged to my house on Saturday!!!
The effects of the radiation we are told, will not be negative until at least a week or so into it, so we want to get her home, settled and hopefully have a chance to get her nails done, and anything else she wants to do before she gets too tired to run around. Visitors will be welcome, but make sure you call us first, as we might just be out shopping!
I want to thank DREAM fund, and Kaelin, and Kay for the generous gift card to Albertson's. I hope to start cooking to order as soon as she gets home! We are encouraged that she will feel better than she does in that tiny room in the hospital. Rehab teams are going to be working with her as well, each day at the house to help with her mobility.
Thank you all for your prayers and sweet wishes and she loves the funny cards!!! I will do a better updating job when I don't have to coordinate driving to the hospital, and the like!
Love,
Amy

Chillin'

Still bed resting, having a bout of upset stomach, and fighting an infection or two...still have not lost all hope for a pass for a few hours this weekend, but if it does not happen, it will be for good reason...Need to be sure the clot is dissapating and that there are no setbacks.
Mom is scheduled to begin radiation and chemotherapy on Thursday the 20th. She is very apprehensive and we are trying to keep her spirits up.
We are hoping to move some things to my house this weekend after we paint the room where Mom will be spending most of her time, we are trying to replicate her living room at home as much as possible, by bringing her beloved rocker and her table full of "stuff". Alyssa found a really pretty comforter and sham set that should make her feel nice and girly, I am sure Daddy is thrilled...There is plenty of room for him too, so we feel so blessed about the decision to have them at my house during her treatments. Everyday for 6 weeks is tough and Dad needs the help so this was the logical choice.
Mom has been urging us to shop for inspirational bangles or rings to wear for solidarity in this ugly fight, when we find just the right thing we will post a link so if anyone wants to get one, she would really love that!
And last but not least....she has officially become part of the crew....the crew cut club that is....a nurse helped her unify her hair do by clipping off the patches and now it just looks like she has verrrry short hair all over....she likes it and Adam, Alan, Ramon and Merk as well as all my sons are going to honor her with the same cut soon! ( I told her this was a really elaborate way to get Brandon's hair out of his eyes!) hee hee...
We have lots to do to prepare for her arrival, as well as the rehab at home people coming to train us on safety and things like that.
Thank you for your support, we love you all.
Amy

Wednesday 3/10

After therapy this morning, Mom was sent for a test, which determined that she has developed a blood clot in her lower left leg. She has been ordered to bed and will begin some anti coagulation medications to help ensure that the clot does not get worse and wont go anywhere. We are hoping the delay in physical therapy will not keep her from earning her day pass this weekend...yew, that's right....there is a possibility that she will get a few hours outside the hospital this weekend!!!I will be more diligent with the "blob" so visiting can be planned.
Special thanks to Ada Ann for the sweet and thoughtful gifts, and thanks also to Kaelin, Jen and Kay for the yummy food. Susan sent chicken & dumplings...ate em all!!!Thanks for all the cards and flowers too!
We feel your prayers and all the positivity!
Amy

Rehab

Mom is progressing nicely and all the cards, letters, flowers and gifts have really thrilled her! Thank you all so much! Visits are also a treat for her, however she does have therapies for most of the day, 9a-3p so be aware that if you visit during those times your chances of seeing her might be slim! This weekend, we plan to have more grandkids up to visit, and that will be on Saturday. Again, be sure to tell her how proud you are of the progress she is making....we sure are. Maybe staples out of incision today...cross your fingers!
Love,
Amy

Come on down...

Mom has settled into her own room at the rehab hospital and has started her daily therapy, which is proving intense. She is doing great and working well with her therapists. She has 3-4 hours of therapy per day which includes occupational and other types. We are all very excited to see her get more and more independant every day.

We are also looking forward to having visitors this weekend. Today some grandkids are coming up as well as some others. Please come on by when you can this weekend, she would love to see you.

Alan Torbett
214.450.7160

Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation
3505 Gaston Ave.
Dallas, TX 75246

Directions, parking information and phone numbers

Rehab

Mom s making her therapy debut as I write. Although we will be involved in her therapy, we are taking some time away to allow her some much needed independence. This weekend, visiting should be great...we hope she is up to some grandkiddin' . Keep the faith!
Amy

Moving on...

First of all we would like to thank everyone for being so supportive of Mom over the last week and a half during surgery and ICU. She is doing very well; your words of encouragement and love have definitely made a difference.

Second, Mom's surgery went very well on Monday and she was moved to a regular room soon after. We are hoping to get her moved to the rehabilitation hospital today. Once moved we want to give her a day or so to get settled in her new room and familiar with the hospital facilities that she will be using for therapy. The staff at the hospital has advised that visitors are encouraged to come and spend time with her, however, if she focuses more on the visitors than therapy they may cut back on visiting hours.

Right now we are focusing on day to day goals. Today's goal is to get mom to rehab. Tomorrow's goal is to get her acclimated to her surroundings. We would like to ask that visitors please wait until Friday or the weekend to start coming by. Also, please call me before.

Alan Torbett
214.450.7160

Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation
3505 Gaston Ave.
Dallas, TX 75246

Directions, parking information and phone numbers

Post-Op

After a short operation, Mom is recovering in ICU. She is awake, talking and joking. We hope to move to a regular room very soon. ICU waiting area is not optimal for sleeping or any normal activity for that matter....we look forward to being a little more private and able to do a lot more visiting with Mom. Keep the prayers coming as well as comments, they are working!
Amy

Surgery today

Mom is scheduled for surgery this morning to remove the drain from the prior surgery, and implant a more permanent one. This should speed her release from ICU and hopefully by the end of the week, she will be moved to the Baylor Rehabilitation Institute. Surgery should begin around 10am, and I will update periodically as to her progress today.

Amy

Weekend Update

Mom wants everyone to know that she appreciates all of the thoughts, prayers and well wishes posted here. She is continually getting better day by day and we are hoping for a release from the ICU this week. We will post any updates on that as soon as we know more. Thanks to everyone who has shared their feelings and prayers. They are priceless.

Alan a.k.a. "Shag"

I just finished freshening mom up, she even put on her own lipstick! PERFECTLY! with no mirror...She knows of her blog and calls it her "blob" she wants to know minute by minute who says what, so keep the comments coming.
With the weekend coming, we are looking forward to seeing mom's siblings who have not been able to come up yet. Having said that, those are going to be the only visitors the Dr. will allow...flu is rampant and mom is easily tired...she has to work twice daily with the rehabilitation specialists and it is quite frustrating for her to do if she is overtired. The well wishes and sweet comments are great therapy and we are so appreciative. We will see you all when we get her out of ICU!
God Bless!
Amy

Even better today!

Even better than yesterday! She is poking fun her nurse "Gene, Gene the nursing machine" as well as myself. Not much more at this time.....I will try and post again later this evening. Thanks again for the great comments!

God Bless!
Adam

Still doing well!

First, Mom asked us to post a thanks to Rudy and Romana for lunch today. She could not believe that they drove all the way from Gunter to fill our bellies. It was great having something other that hospital food.

Second, Mom continues to amaze us as well as her Doctor's. She sat up a little and had her first meal since surgery. She will most likely spend the weekend in ICU. Having said that, the Doctor would like to limit her visits for all of us to reduce risk of the flu or other possible infection. We anticipate that she will be transfered to a rehab facility early next week. Thank you for posting the kind words, she actually read all of them today. I will print them each morning for her so keep'em comin'.

God Bless,
Adam

The lowdown

Alyssa and I stayed all night in hopes of catching the Dr. and we were unsuccessful....we are back at bat again this morning and are hopeful that we can get some insight as to what to expect in the next few days. Still no change in status...Stable, and sleepy...more in a bit.....
Love,
Amy

This evening we are awaiting a conference with the Neuro-Oncologist. Mom's vital signs are still stable. We had very little wake time with her today but when she is awake she seems inquisitive and somewhat aware of her surroundings. We look forward to having some more information tonight.

Wednesday a.m.

Mom is just about the same this morning. The t.v. has been on in her area since surgery, but today, she told the nurse "t.v." and then held up four fingers....ever the Fox4 fan! She also wanted to touch her head...maybe tomorrow.
If you have trouble reaching us by phone, it is because we are taking care of one another which is such a testament to the mother we have. Christie's kids love her, and to honor that love we are devoted to ensuring that we each have time with mom and time together. Thank you so much for the great response to the blog and we hope to see our mom's dear friends when she moves to a regular room. Keep up the prayers and positive thoughts!

Amy

Thank you!

Thank you so much to my sweet sister- in- law Christy Sullivan for creating and setting up this blog! Knowing you are by our side is such a comfort! I love you sistah! !
Amy

Surgery

Mom had surgery on Monday evening and is in ICU recovering. It is still early and we are still anxious when we talk to the Dr. However, she is stable at this time.

As you can imagine, Mom has lots of fans, and updating by phone is overwhelming and we want to try to devote our energy to taking care of each other and our Dad.

If you know of someone who cannot access the internet, please give them a call for us.

Family and Friends

We have set this blog up as a means of communication for family and friends of Christie. This will allow us to continue to take care of her needs and communicate with everyone minute by minute of where she is at in her prognosis, progress, and answer any questions you might have on a daily basis. Feel free to post comments, questions, prayers and any messages that you have for Christie. She will be delighted to see them.

Please know that as much as we would love to talk to each one of you individually, that is precious time that we need to spend helping her recover. We are truly appreciative of all the support and prayers. We will notify you when she will be able to have visitors.


Thank you for your understanding,

The Torbett Family-
~ Amy, Adam, Alyssa, Alan and Bill