Sherri Connell

A Lifetime in 27 Years

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Mom, I Love You to Infinity and Beyond!

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I used to tell my mom, “I love you to infinity” and she would reply “and BEYOND” (and visa versa). I will cherish this sweet voice mail from my mom forever!

My mom was a loving, caring mom to my sister, brother and me! Though we all had challenges in this life, we remained very close, good friends! My mom struggled with chronic illness since the early 90’s.

In 2011, she was diagnosed with Lung Cancer! Then my brother passed away about 10 months later. The whole family has been beyond devastated! Then my sister got Cancer and went through a horrible battle. We hung onto each other tightly, as all three of us were grieving and fighting for our lives!

When Mom was first diagnosed, she was was given a year to live, IF she lived through the surgery and treatment (which we know without a doubt she would not have). We agreed none of us were ready to lose her to surgery and treatments and life in a nursing home, so we chose to take some alternative measures. Mom didn’t want my sister and me to lose her after we lost my brother, so she fought hard!

For 5 years, she had many close calls, she was unable to care for her own daily needs for months at a time, had lots of visits to the ER and help with rides, shopping, cooking and cleaning. Thankfully, she did have small windows of times in between her treatments when she could heat up her own food and drive a little bit. The last 3 1/2 years were extremely difficult, painful and full of constant crisis, close calls, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted livings and finally in Hospice.

This recording was from when she was in Porter Hospice for 4 1/2 months. We are so thankful she had a couple months there where she was really enjoying life the best she could, sitting in her favorite place in the living room and enjoying a beautiful garden right outside her doors! This voicemail was left when we had just had the alarms on her chair turned off for a month and she was FREE to move about in her room! She was puttering around, organizing things and talking on the phone. I am so grateful for the short time my mom had to enjoy her last days at Porter, before she had to go!

Soon after this voicemail, she went down hill.  Below is a short video of us sharing our “Infinity and Beyond” just a few days before she passed on. 

Mom, you fought an incredible fight and have suffered so long.  I miss you beyond words and I LOVE YOU TO INFINITY AND BEYOND! Forever and ever and ever!

Thank You for Being My Friend

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This week, I lost my sweet friend, Buddy. He was a gorgeous, incredible, loving, smart and fun horse. My heart is broken. I knew it was coming, but I guess I had hoped he would be with us for one more Summer.

I already miss looking out my back window to make sure he is OK and see how he’s doing. I miss asking him to smile and spoiling him with apples and carrots! He was one in a million!

But most of all, I hurt for my dear friend and neighbor, Crystal. She has had Buddy most of his life. They had a once in a lifetime bond; he was her best friend and companion.

When he was diagnosed with cancer, Crystal put up a sign in his barn that said, “How Wonderful Life Is While You’re in the World.”

She lived each day enjoying every moment they had together and worked hard at giving him everything he needed to have the best and longest life possible. … And she dreaded the day she would have to say goodbye. 

Buddy, thank you for being such an amazing fur-baby and for taking such good care of Crystal all of these years. You gave her life so much meaning and unconditional love. Now, watch over her from above and run pain free through the clouds! We will miss you, my friend! 

We Are So Grateful for Porter Hospice Residences!

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Carole at Porter Hospice Residences at the Johnson Center

Mom got to see the waterfall up close! She was so happy!

We finally got my Mom, Carole, outside for a few minutes to see the waterfall in the garden! To look at her in this picture, you would have no idea how much she has been through and how much she deeply suffers daily. But she asked for a little lipstick and flashed a quick smile so we could capture the happiness in her heart … a photo I will cherish for many years to come! 
 
It has been a very arduous road, as my mom has battled lung cancer for eight years! The past couple of years have been a formidable and agonizing fight, with many close calls and crisis after crisis. But now she faces the final chapter. Please pray she does not suffer much more in this life, before the Lord takes her home.

Thank you, Porter Hospice At The Johnson Center, for loving my mom and making her feel so special and important in the last few pages of her life here on earth!
 
Everyone has been so caring, helpful and amazing! My mom is finally at peace, knowing she is not alone, because not only does she have her family and friends, but now she also has her Porter Hospice Team, who have become her family, too! This is a gift in which we will be forever grateful!
 

After seeing the waterfall, Mom is sound asleep!

It takes very strong, yet compassionate people to work in a Hospice environment. May God bless you and your families for the time, sacrifice and heartache you all face daily. We are so very honored and thankful to have our mom in your care!
 

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Thank you, everyone!

Missing My Kit Kat

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I’m missing my Kit Kat! Never thought I would ever say that. She was a TERROR! She was in the birth canal too long and I believe she had some brain damage. So, she never bonded with me and as she got older always wanted to beat me up.

But the last 6 months of her life, I worked with her and she started mellowing. Sadly, when our other goat, JellyBean died, Kit Kat went into a depression and died of a broken heart. 🙁

In this video, Pumpkin (whom Kit Kat hated) is loving on her as she grieved JellyBean. Yes, goats have feelings. So sweet!

Sherri

www.PumpkinAndCookie.com

We Lost Our Baby Snickers

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I have extremely heartbreaking news! Our baby Snickers went to Heaven in the middle of the night. She had a catastrophic stroke, most likely from the probable tumor in her brain that has been causing seizures and some neurological issues.

As many of you know, she wasn’t supposed to live more than a few days in November 2014. She wasn’t eating, her heart rate was 200 and she had a fatal heart condition, with Epilepsy. But I didn’t want to give up yet. I put supplements in a syringe and force fed her with them and she started walking and eating again. Then I made her fresh meats and vegetables. She has needed a ton of hands on care around the clock, including constant feeding since then. Nonetheless, she was happy, eating, wagging her tail and running around like a puppy. In fact, we had to slow her down most of the time!

Anyhow, several people have commented that they noticed we have been through a lot lately. I don’t want to be negative, but it has been unbelievable! The past few years alone, we have had constant crisis after death after crisis after death. 7 deaths, Mom and sister with cancer, 3 more family members really struggling and major crisis situations, in addition to my broken ankle (which a year later is still not totally healed), as well as recent flu, bronchial pneumonia and current torn ribs.

And now, my baby Snickers is gone. I am thankful for the time we had! But Mommy misses you SOOO much! Goodbye for now, my sweet little monkey! Thank you for bringing love and laughter into my life!

 Mommy

Kissing Kit Kat Goodbye

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Sherri and Kit Kat Goodbye CR KB

We had to say goodbye to Kit Kat today. We did everything we could to save her. We were force feeding her with tubes and syringes, but instead of getting better, she got much worse. She couldn’t even digest the liquids and cried in horrible pain for a couple of days, so we had to let her go. She was starving to death, which is not something anyone should have to go through. I let her suffer too long, because I was determined to save her. But I couldn’t. I’m so sorry, my Kitty Kat Puddy Tat! 🙁

Goodbye to Kit Kat September 24: Not out of the woods yet and don’t know if she has a bleeding ulcer, cancer or the exact cause of her starvation, muscle wasting, anemia and anorexia. But the great news is the vet was shocked to find that her kidneys and liver look pretty good and she does not appear to have a lung infection or virus!

This all started with severe depression when her Aunt JellyBean passed away 2 months ago. She cried for 2 weeks straight and moped around for months. She wasn’t eating much nor getting out to play with the babies as she was before, which continued to get worse and worse. This could have precipitated the whole viscous cycle, leaving her with loss of appetite and possible bleeding ulcer, then anemia, severe acidosis (very dangerous to the kidneys), anorexia (she hasn’t eaten in a very long time) and severe muscle wasting. Or it could be a hidden illness like cancer or the ulcer, which was made worse with the depression.

So, our first action is to try to get her eating again. The vet will be giving her an appetite stimulant, as well as electrolytes for the dehydration and sodium carbonate for the acidosis. If she continues not to eat, she will starve to death. We can tube feed her, but without knowing the cause, it may be just prolonging the situation. So, please pray she begins eating on her own today!

Kit Kat LifeSeptember 22: Please keep us in your prayers! Kit Kat (pictured as a baby here), has become suddenly very ill. We just lost her Aunt JellyBean a few months ago.Vet is doing blood tests tomorrow. Doesn’t look good for Kit Kat. This is so unexpected! She was healthy and strong all her life. Thought she would break records!
As you probably know, we just lost Wayne’s mom and my close, close friend, Matt this month. Lost my brother not long ago, as well! So many losses and crisis situations!

Friends please come for a visit.
♡ Sherri Mitchell Connell

Thank you everyone!

 Pumpkin is consoling Kit Kat after losing Aunt JellyBean

I Lost My Friend, the World Lost an Incredible Inspiration

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Matt Barrett and Sherri Connell, wife of IDA FounderToday, I lost one of the best friends I have ever had. And the world lost the most amazing, giving, caring, selfless person I have ever known … Matt Barrett, AKA Gentle Giant.

Matt was like a brother to me. My family loved him so much and he called my mom, Momma Carole. lives will never be the same without him. We must remember his sheer courage and utter perseverance. None can imagine the hardships, discrimination, mistreatment and unfathomable pain he endured for a lifetime!

He was not supposed to be on this earth decades ago. But because of his incredible determination, many lives have been changed by his story, advocacy and giving life. He was the kind of person who would get a gift from a friend and either share it with others to take it down to Tent City where he lived for several years.

I cannot express the devastation and loss I will endure. In order to survive this myself, I have to know that I did everything possible to offer my help, love, friendship and comfort to Matt. Also, I must remember that I was going to lose him very soon no matter what, that he was in unspeakable pain and he is no longer suffering.

Be free, Matt! Be with the Lord! And tell my brother I said you can ride his Harley!

I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!

Sherri

Celebration of Life for Matt BarrettOBITUARY For Matthew R. Barrett

Matt Barrett was born and raised in Colorado. He battled several forms of cancer since the age of 2, survived many operations which disfigured his facial features and left him heavily scarred both physically and emotionally, yet through it all he kept going and had a tender spirit and heart for others, loved music both performing vocally and instrumentally enjoyed playing and watching sports, was an accomplished writer and advocate for homeless, poverty and disability issues. In his youth he won many awards for his singing abilities as well as in sports, he earned his nickname Giant not only due to his physical stature, presence and strength, but because of his heart and giving and generous nature.

During his adult years Matt won praise from Presidents, Congress members and other public figures for his writings, including a published book of poetry, and advocacy for homeless poverty and disability issues. Matt’s writing can be read and his book ordered on his blog: A View from the Street. In 2013 he received a Mayoral proclamation making May 25th, Matt Barrett day in Seattle.

In place of flowers or a memorial service he asked that people donate to one of these three great causes: The Invisible Disabilities Association, Greater Seattle Cares, and The Watershed Center. His ashes will be planted in a tree at the Watershed Center by his dear friend Brooke. He is survived by and will be missed by a vast network of loving friends and family.

RESOURCES:

Celebration of Life Event for Matt Barrett May 25, 2013

Video of Matt speaking at the 2011 Invisible Disabilities Association Awards Gala. 

Invisible Disabilities Association In Memory and Donation Page:www.InvisibleDisabilities.org/InMemory

Greater Seattle Cares: www.greaterseattlecares.org

The Watershed Center: www.thewatershedcenter.org/

Matt’s Blog and Book, A View from the Street: www.AViewfromtheStreet.com

Wayne’s Mom Went to Be with the Lord

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Wayne and Mom

Wayne and I have been spending a lot of time at Hospice with family and saying goodbye to his mom, Karen. She went to be with the Lord this morning. Her laugh and love will be greatly missed. This was so sudden!

We are at the stage in life when we start losing aunts, uncles and parents. It is never easy. It just was so sudden. She was just at our house 5 weeks ago playing with Pumpkin and Cookie. One week later she is in the hospital. A month later gone.

Please keep Wayne and the whole family in your prayers!

Karen and FamilyAugust 30th: How amazing! Karen was awake off and on today! Her siblings and granddaughter and family were able to talk with her! Now most of the family has been able to spend time with her, talk with her and say goodbye. They even sang to her and at times, Wayne said even though her eyes were closed, she was moving her lips as if to sing along!

This whole journey has been SO quick and unexpected! None of us are truly ready to see Karen go!

Nonetheless, I am thankful for the time we have had with her, the fact that most family members have been able to spend time with her and say goodbye, as well as how the family has pulled together to love on her and on one another. Praise God!Karen Growing Up 2

August 29th: Karen’s brother and sister arrived this evening, but Karen had been unresponsive all day. Tonight, I go to bed praying that she wakes up long enough to say goodbye to her siblings tomorrow.

August 28th: Praise the Lord though Karen was mostly sleeping today, her other sons and daughter in laws made it. They were able to talk with her and hold her hand. She struggled with responding, but she heard them and recognized them! Now Karen’s brother and sister are on the way and due to arrive tomorrow night. I don’t know how she will hang on that long, but we pray she does.

August 27th: We just got back from the Hospice Center. It won’t be long till she goes to be with the Lord. I pray she doesn’t go until Wayne’s 2 brothers and sister in law’s get here tomorrow.

Karen Growing UpAugust 25th: As many of you know, less than a month ago, Karen was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer that has spread and causing critical complications. She was in the hospital, a rehab center, one of Wayne’s brother’s house and is now in a Hospice Care Center until they can get her more stabilized with the pain and inability to keep food down.

They will be sending her back to our brother’s house and the family is taking turns spending the nights with her. She had two rounds of big chemo doses, but her markers continue to soar. So, she will not be doing anymore treatments.

Please keep Karen in your prayers that they can help control the pain and nausea and she doesn’t have to suffer so much.

Pray that we find homes for her three cats (one was adopted by our cousin). She loves her cats and misses them so much. It’s very hard for her to be away from them and finding them a new home.

Pray for the family, as everyone spends time with her and cares for her. Pray for peace for us all.

Thank you!

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