Please click on "comments" and share your thoughts and favorite memories of April!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
In loving memory of April (December 15, 1969 - March 2, 2010)
I Wouldn't Have Missed It For the World
I wouldn't have missed it for the world
Wouldn't have missed loving you girl
You've made my whole life worth while, with your smile
I wouldn't trade one memory
Cause you mean too much to me
Even though I lost you girl
I wouldn't have missed it for the world
Ronnie Milsap
Love Song
However far away, I will always love you
However long I stay, I will always love you
Whatever words I say, I will always love you
I will always love you.
However long I stay, I will always love you
Whatever words I say, I will always love you
I will always love you.
The Cure
Contact info
This page is maintained by Robert Gillespie.
robert@kidneyweb.net
P.O. Box 2601
Fort Worth, TX 76113
Phone 817-879-3500
robert@kidneyweb.net
P.O. Box 2601
Fort Worth, TX 76113
Phone 817-879-3500
For a happier page, read about our transplant at: aprilandrobstransplant.blogspot.com
Blog Archive
Hit counter
Followers
Things April Loved
- Escalante's Restaurant (Houston)
- Dunkin' Donuts (cake donuts)
- Sudoku
- Soap operas
- Shoes
- Her house
- Rob
- Bunnies
- Her job
- Children
- Traveling
- Her green Toyota Highlander
- Family gatherings
- Shopping
- Pink
- Fireplaces
- Flannel sheets
- Funnel cakes
- Snow cones
- Cuddling
- Disneyland
- Precious moments
- Backrubs
- Garlic pickles
- Sweet and sour pork
- Gingerbread men
- Snowmen
- Bubble baths
- Christmas
- Conversation hearts
- Teddy bears
Hi Rob,
ReplyDeleteI just received your e-mail about April’s death, and I feel like I’ve been kicked in the stomach. (It came by way of Allison Eddy to the Nephrology Division, thus to Tina Tennant (now Kvale), from her to Suzanne Jones, and she sent it to me.) I am so very, very sorry. I wish you were here, because it would be easier to just give you a hug than to try and find the right words to say.
The last time I saw the two of you we were standing in the Nephrology office, which was in the Bret Boone modular building at Seattle Children's. I felt like the three of us were at a Munchkin convention! April had lipstick on her teeth, and I always felt bad afterwards that I didn't say anything to her, but we were too busy talking. (I believe she was telling you what to do.....is that possible??) You were such a cute couple!
Rob, I will definitely be thinking about you and praying for you.
With good memories,
Ruthie Eargle (now Rebekka Bradford)
Rob, I was shocked by the news Wednesday morning of April's passing. I had just talked with April on Tuesday as she updated me on her labs and how she hadn't felt this good in a long time. I had gotten used to talking with her weekly and getting updates- I will miss those calls greatly. Her message was always so positive even on her worst days. April always demonstrated such a positive attitude, determination, and such an amazing spirit. She never let things get her down. Her passion for life and nursing was infectious and I am thankful that she worked with me and for me. She was a gift to several of my staff whose own children were dealt the diagnosis of diabetes. She was a blessing to so many children and families she cared for. Although my heart is heavy with great sadness, I will think of her often in my days ahead and remember our talk and I hope I will carry her passion for nursing with me to others. Thanks for sharing April with me and my staff. The inpatient hem/onc unit at Children's Medical Center will miss her greatly. May God Bless you and your family. Susan McCollom (clinical manager)
ReplyDeleteThe above comment is by Susan McCollom, although my son Jack was logged into Google, thus...Jack said...
ReplyDeleteI have only known April for 4 years. We met when we were both working as oncology travel nurses at Children's in Cincinnati, Ohio. We both shared the same passion for our patients, and fought fearlessly to advocate for them. We often shared that even though being an oncology nurse was tough, there was no other group of patients we would rather be caring for. It is amazing when you are faced with the reality of cancer, how many other petty things seem to be so insignificant.
ReplyDeleteAfter Cincinnati we both went out to Arizona, her in Phoenix and me in Tucson. I will never forget meeting her one day in Phoenix for lunch and then shopping (we closed down the mall that night). I am not even sure how many stores we visited. One was the Teddy Bear factory, April's eyes glistened with joy as we watched the little stuff creations coming to life and then picked out little outfits for them. I remember she was planning to give them as gifts to her family. Then we visited Hallmark, can't really remember what we got there; but I do remember that at the end of our long shopping day she surprised me with a bunny rabbit she had picked up there (always generous she was). Macy's was another stop we made, she bought all the new dishes for her soon to be new home in Texas. She loved the thought of having guests over and being able to entertain. Think she bought 12 or 13 sets. We also stopped off in the swimsuit section for her future travel with Rob across the ocean. We had fun and laughed, I made her try on a skimpy bikini for fun (but I believe she went more conservative). I was waiting for April to get settled and for myself to finish my Master's degree, then we were going to take Dallas by shopping storm. I am sad that we will not have that opportunity.
April, I will miss our two hour phone calls. I will miss your heart and spirit, that were far greater than mine could ever be. May God Bless You throughout eternity.
Love Always
Barbara
This was an event no one on this planet could ever prepare for. I love April and always will. She was passionate about her work, children, family, Rob and the Lord. I'm so glad I was honored by having her as my aunt for 31 years. I enjoyed having long conversations and sometimes just having a friend to talk to. God really led April into the right line of work. She was able to relate to and inspire many very sick pationts with her positive but straight-forward attitude. One of my fondest memories of April would have to be the countless trips to Snow-wiz as a child. She was a great mentor for me and my family. I have the greatest respect for the way she lived her life and I know the Lord has welcomed her home with open arms. We are all crying for her right now, but I'm convinced we are crying for us. "God blesses those who mourn for they will be comforted" Matthew 5:4.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone...I love the stories...that's my April all right. Barb, I wish I could have seen her in that bikini! She never told me about that. Nick, I remember how much she loved Snow-Wiz. I bought her a snow cone machine for home and she had so much fun with that. Her favorite flavor: Wedding Cake. Thanks for sharing and keep 'em coming! Rob
ReplyDelete~I remember April from High School and she was the SWEETEST!!!! and most gentle spirited person!!! I am so very sorry to hear of this-
ReplyDelete.God Bless.
Lynn Gilman
The greatest thing about being a friend with April, was the reality. As friends April and I were very honest and true about how we felt about everything. We shared similar political views and views about the nursing community. We shared our plans for the future. She wanted to advance her own education, but still wanted to be in touch with the patients. She was so intelligent about so many things. We often debated saline versus heparin flushes of central lines. She taught me so much from her experience and knowledge. I truly feel as though she could have gone so far in life. She had such lofty goals for her future. I am so sad that she will not be here to realize them. The day she died was the day the oncology and medical community lost a valuable person. It hurts me greatly that she is no longer here. Thank-you Rob for this web-site that gives us a venue to communicate how wonderful she was. I only hope to do her memory justice.
ReplyDeleteApril and I worked together on the Heme/Onc inpatient unit at Seattle Childrens nearly ten years ago. She was more than just a great coworker, she was also a loving, caring woman. During the time we worked together, my cousins 10 year old daughter was diagnosed with an agressive form of bone cancer. April bonded with her immediately. During the 18 months she was treated, April took care of her numerous times. My extended family adored her. I remember April showing me a picture of the two of them, and on the back was a message: To April, I will miss you when I don't have cancer anymore. Sadly, she lost her battle with cancer. I know they are comforting one another in Heaven now. Thank you God for sharing April with us and please bless her loved ones as they say goodbye to her.
ReplyDeleteJean Sullivan, RN
Seattle
I remember the first time I met April, about 14 years ago. I was working on my prerequisites for nursing school, and April was a young RN, excited about her career. Her eyes lit up when she talked about nursing, and how much she enjoyed "being there" for the patients when they needed someone talk to or to comfort them. This inspired me, as I realized that nursing is not all about the "science and skills" we learn in our training. For nurses like April, who have a passion for being a warm, comforting, caring, presence, nursing is a calling and a very special art. I commend Rob for starting a nursing scholarship in honor and memory of April. Her dedication to helping and comforting those in greatest need is inspiring, praiseworthy, and will be well remembered. I like to think that April is united in Heaven with the many patients who were blessed by her caring presence during their last days on earth. April fulfilled her calling to help those who needed her. May she inspire us all to do the same.
ReplyDelete