for my Sister (guest blogger - Micki)

Sleep My Sister

© T. Hutchinson 

I wish you sweet sleep, my sister dear.
Although there's so much that you've left bare
I hate that you had to endure such pain
On my mind, your saddened eyes have left a stain.

I want to know what crossed your mind
Unspoken words you've left behind
Undone things we'll never do
No sharing thoughts you never knew.

A peace has fallen upon your head
A taste of sorrow we have been fed
It really is like a hole in our lives
One swiftly dug but carved out by knives.

But I have hope that those sleeping will rise
The Bible says that God will open their eyes.
No suffering, sickness, yes not even pain,
Those who did good, eternal life they'll gain.

So... sleep on my sister, sleep tight
For now with you the sky is night.
But after night will come daybreak
Therefore I will wait hoping to see you awake.

Service & Travel information (guest blogger - Micki George)

Following is information for friends and family that will be attending the services:

For those flying in from out of state:

MOV Regional airport in Parkersburg, WV has numerous direct flights from Cleveland via the Continental carrier.  Several flights throughout the week and on the weekend. The flight schedule for MOV Regional airport can be found here: http://www.flymov.com/flight.html

Two other airports are located a bit outside our area in Charleston, WV and Columbus, OH. If travelling to these airports you will need to make additional travel plans to commute into the area for the viewing and services.

Viewing:

The viewing will be held at Leavitt funeral home, Friday, December  16, located at 801 Victor Street Belpre, OH. Hours for visitation will be 2-4pm and 6-8pm.

Service:

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 1:00 PM at the Porterfield Baptist Church with Pastor Matt Morrison officiating. Graveside memorial services will be held at a later date. Porterfield Baptist Church is located at 39 Hollywood Drive, Little Hocking, OH.

Hotels:

Several hotels are available in the Parkersburg and Marietta area, all which are a short distance from Belpre and Little Hocking where the viewing and services will be held.

1.       Comfort Inn Parkersburg:  Rooms are available at $105.00 per night. This hotel is very near to many restaurants and the Parkersburg mall. They offer a free hot continental breakfast (per their website), free wifi, and an indoor heated pool.  (Address = 401 37th St, Parkersburg, WV)

2.       Blennerhassett Hotel:  Rooms are available here from $139-169 per night. A historic hotel in downtown Parkersburg with very beautiful rooms.

(Address = 320 Market Street  Parkersburg, WV 26101)

3.       Hampton Inn (Marietta):  Rooms available at $109 a night.  Offers a fre hot continental breakfast (per their website) and free wifi. (Address = 508 Pike Street, Marietta, Ohio)

In lieu of flowers, the Rachel requests donations be made in her memory to:

Lynch Syndrome International
PO Box 5456
Vacaville, CA 95688
http://www.lynchcancers.com

Inheritance of Hope
P.O Box 90
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
http://inheritanceofhope.org/

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.LeavittFuneralHome.com.

Obituary - (guest blogger - Micki George)

Rachel George Greenwalt, 35,  passed away on December 10th at her home, surrounded by her family, after a long and courageous battle with Appendix cancer.  

She was born January 31, 1976 in Marietta, Ohio to Robert George of Coolville and Erma Nolan Rutter of Marietta.

Rachel lived and died in her own way and was admired by many for her fighting spirit, generous nature and sense of humor.  She enjoyed time with her daughters & family, making her famous salsa and blogging.  Rachel was a graduate of Belpre High School and earned a degree in Mass Media from Washington State Community College.  She proudly served in the United States Navy from 1994-98 as an F-18 plane captain stationed at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada and as Yeoman to the Command Master Chief with HM-15 at Corpus Christi, Texas.  Rachel’s chosen career was her dream job, morning radio personality on WNUS, entertaining the Mid-Ohio Valley with her quick wit and spunky personality.   Rachel was a certified lactation counselor, rescued two greyhounds, raised money for the American Cancer Society and created awareness about Lynch Syndrome. As a self proclaimed, “Jane of all trades, master of none”, Rachel’s most beloved role in life was that of Mother.

Rachel is preceded in death by her grandparents, Jim and June Nolan of Belpre; grandfather, Lawrence George of Coolville and her aunt, Lucy George Bennett of Lowell.

She is survived by her two beautiful daughters Iris, aged 5 and Vera aged 3; her husband, Jason Greenwalt;  her parents, Robert George and Erma & Spence Rutter; her sisters, Michele George and Eva Rutter; her brothers, Corey, Luke & Sean Rutter; her grandmother, Josephine George;  several aunts & uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the Rachel requests donations be made in her memory to:

Lynch Syndrome International PO Box 5456 Vacaville, CA 95688 http://www.lynchcancers.com Inheritance of Hope P.O Box 90 Pisgah Forest, NC 28768 http://inheritanceofhope.org/ Local donations can be made in person to Rachel George Greenwalt account at Riverview Credit Union, 403 Main St. Belpre, Ohio.

End of a Journey - (Guest blogger - Micki George)

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post.

Rachel ended her long, courageous battle with cancer on Saturday afternoon, December 10th surrounded by her loving family.

No more hospitals (guest blogger - Micki George)

Rachel left Camden Clark Memorial Hospital (CCMH) to return home on Monday, December 5th.  She was admitted to the hospital on Monday, November 28th after experiencing a seizure at home.  Rachel was receiving medications to prevent any further seizures during her stay at CCMH.  She also received hospice services and transferred to a "serenity room" to provide comfort and privacy.  

 Rachel is now receiving hospice care in the comfort of her home.  Her wishes are to be home, where she can be with her girls and be surrounded by their happy giggles and hugs & kisses.

She is being cared for around the clock, never a second is she alone.  Mom and I have been reading facebook posts and cards to her, letting her know how many people are thinking and praying for her.

Rachel has been fighting since May 2009 and her courage has touched so many family members and friends (new & old).   Her long journey is nearly over.  Rachel is resting, her pain is under control.  She will not be going back to any hospital.

~Micki

back tracking (guest blogger - Micki)

I wanted to talk about some events from November.

Sky lantern launch

November 18th, Friday night at Belpre boat ramp behind Hardees was a sky lantern launch to show support for Rachel.  The event only involved 3 days notice due to weather (winds must be less than 6 mph).  We had planned on launching 50 lanterns (each one takes 2 people to launch).  On the 18th at 6:45 pm family and friends began arriving.  There was plenty of help to unwrap the lanterns and direct supporters to write messages of love and hope on their lanterns.  WTAP was there filming for the nightly news and WNUS sent a van with speakers to play music.  The event was beautiful, more than 50 lanterns were launched and the unofficial participant count was at least 100 supporters.   Rachel was amazed at the showing of support when she saw the 11 o'clock news and home video.

Visit from an old friend

November 21st, Monday, Rachel's dear friend, Jamie, arrived from Austin, Texas for a visit and stayed until Wednesday.  He brought Rachel a special knitted pumpkin hat and Iris &  Vera cowboy hats.  Rachel and Jamie enjoyed each others company, snuggling and laughing about their time together in Texas.  Jamie was given the title of honorary "Uncle Jamie" to Iris and Vera.  Jamie's travel schedule allowed him to make a another short visit back to Belpre on Monday, November 28th before returning to Texas on November 29th.  He spent his last night in the hospital with family, while Rachel was being treated for complications from her cancer.  It was easy to see why Rachel held Jamie in such high regard as a friend, he was so devoted to her during his short stay and now I would consider him part of the family.  

This picture was taken on November 22, 2011.

 

Treatment in Texas Early November, Rachel was accepted for a clinical trial at Mary Crowley Cancer Research Center after returning home from UPMC (Pittsburgh) for placement of liver stents (10/27/11).  Plans were made for her to fly with Dad to Dallas for treatment.  After several phone calls with nurses, it was discovered that Rachel had already received the drug used in this trial.  The trip was canceled. 

*more posts soon.

Thanks again for all the messages of support.

Micki