Happy Birthday Jim

Happy Birthday Jim. We love you! Today we will honor Jim and celebrate his 51st birthday. We each have a balloon to write a special message on that we will release and find their way up to Dad in heaven. Every year Jim would have a Portillo's chocolate cake for his birthday, so we will be enjoying that as well. For those who do not live in Chicago...Portillo's has a famous moist delicious, very rich chocolate cake. Jim introduced us to it and has consumed many.

The sun is shining and the snow is sparkling brightly!

Happy Birthday....we miss you.

Patty, Becca and Jack

6 Months

It is hard to believe that Jim has been gone for 6 months today. They say time heals...however we continue to have the good days and the bad. There is not a day that goes by where one of us will say something about Jim...what he might be doing, or what he would say. Jack is so much like Jim, I just have to smile....or shake my head at times!

Our experience on Thanksgiving as we helped to serve over 1800 people dinner was the best medicine for us. We were so thankful to be helping others and I was so proud of Becca and Jack. We are constantly reminded of how many people are struggling in so many different ways.

The kids are doing well and very busy with their schedules. Becca is playing club volleyball and Jack plays basketball. They seem to be growing up so fast. I know that Jim is guiding them along the way from Heaven.

I hope the new year brings everyone some peace. I am still in awe of the community of people who have and continue to support our family in so many ways. We feel very lucky to have you in our lives.

God Bless

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to thank you all for your cards, well wishes and prayers for our family. I woke up very sad this morning just thinking about all the "Thanksgiving feasts" we would have at our house. It was one of my favorite days and I loved cooking with Jim and creating our traditions as a family. He would be putting the turkey in the oven about now and basting it religiously while it cooked. We always watched the Macy's parade with the kids, Becca and Jack would help set the table and wait anxiously for our guests to arrive.

Today will be much different, however special in many ways. Rebecca, Jack and I are going to a restaurant to help serve a meal to those less fortunate. They close for business every Thanksgiving to do this for their community. I am looking forward to this and feel it will be a blessing for our family and a great way to start this difficult time of year.

Tears are streaming down, so I will close for now. Enjoy family, be thankful and celebrate life.

God Bless,
Patty, Becca and Jack aka Team Lambo...Keep The Faith!

Missing Jim

I have not had the energy or strength to update this blog. As we approach the 3 month mark of Jim's passing, we are sad in a way I can not explain. The reality of our loss becomes more permanent and the pain more great. Rebecca, Jack and I struggle to find structure or "normalcy" without Jim. I do smile when the kids talk about their dad on a daily basis..remembering something funny or what he would have said in a particular situation. As Halloween approaches, Jack is keeping up Jim's love for the day and has decorated in his honor. Some of you know the "famous toilet costume" that consumed Jim's time in the garage for many hours. It was quite an amazing creation! Jack has made some adjustments so he can wear it proudly this year. It is on display for those who come by and Jack is so happy to show everyone.

Volleyball is winding down for both kids and new sports will begin. The focus on sports does help them keep their minds busy. As new seasons approach, I think of all of the chores that Jim would be doing outside. I have definitely let that slide as I am not talented in this area.

I feel much better this morning after taking time to write about Jim. I hope you all continue to enjoy the updates. If anyone did not receive a memorial card and would like one, please email me and I will be very happy to get one in the mail to you.

We continue to "Keep The Faith" and try to remember that Jim is in a wonderful place free of pain and suffering.

God Bless

Another busy week at our house and never a dull moment. Jack needed stitches and has a big black eye. No I did not hit him! He was injured at basketball tryouts of all things and took an elbow to the eye. Needless to say, he looks pretty bad, but all is OK. It was another long night in the ER as we got home at 11:45. Jack enjoys telling stories when people ask what happens.

Becca is knee deep in volleyball and loving it. It is six days a week with tournaments on Saturday's. Jack is also playing volleyball for St. James, so I am sitting in the stands a lot. Jim would be so proud, as he inspired both of them to play.

I have had some calls or a note sent telling me their favorite memories of Jim. I LOVE hearing all the stories!

God Bless

We have a week and a half of school under our belt, which has been a good distraction for all of us. The kids seem to be happy and adjusting to our new routine. The calendar has been very busy with activities. I am working hard to keep the kids organized and hopefully on track. Our friends and neighbors have been wonderful with helping us adjust, by bringing meals, inviting us to dinner and helping me around the house. We are so grateful for all of the families that are "adopting" us and giving so much support. I often tell the kids that they have 10 Mom's and Dad's and they need to listen to all of them. Jim was alsways my sounding board and helped so much with Becca and Jack. It is much more difficult to do this solo and I frequently look to the heavens and ask for help.

On Friday afternoon we had a private family ceremony for Jim at Wheaton Cemetery. It was a very sad day for us all, but Jim is in such a beautiful place...under a tree, right next to the Golf Club of Chicago. The cemetery dates back to the eighteen hundreds and hold a lot of history. We will be adding a bench in the spring for visitors to sit and reflect.

Please keep Becca and Jack in your prayers as they begin a new start. Both are excited and looking forward to new schools. I look forward to getting involved and watching the kids in their sports this year.

Thank you so much for your support. Keep checking the website for updates and new pictures to honor Jim's memory.

God Bless

It is hard to believe it has been 2 weeks since Jim's funeral service. Family has surrounded us for most of the time, which has been a wonderful blessing. Becca, Jack and I are now trying to forge ahead, knowing that Jim is guiding us from above. It has certainly not yet sunk in as I know it will in the months ahead. I am grateful that school is starting soon, so the kids can get in their routines. They will both be starting new schools this year. Becca will be a freshman at Glenbard South and just made the volleyball team. She is very excited! Jack will be going into 7th grade at St James the Apostle school. He too is looking forward to a fresh start and a new environment. When I look back now, I see the plan that was already in place to help us through this very difficult time. It brings me comfort to see how the Lord takes care of us....

Thank you for the outpouring of love and support you have given our family. As I had wrote earlier, I will try to keep this blog going to honor Jim and keep everyone updated on our family. I encourage you to share your stories of Jim with Becca, Jack and me. If you are not comfortable posting a message, you can send it directly to me at pattylambert@comcast.net. I plan to one day make a book for the children with all of the entries from this journey. There father was an amazing person that touched so many people.

God Bless

Thank You

I would like to thank everyone who came to celebrate and honor the memory of Jim with our family. It was of great comfort to Becca, Jack and me. I loved to hear all of your stories and comments about how Jim touched your life. He was such a vibrant man with a passion for everything! My heart aches, but I know that with time and support from all of you, our family will heal.

We have decided to honor Jim by updating this blog on a regular basis. Becca, Jack and I will share stories and we hope you will continue to share yours with us. This will be a cherished account of Jim's life for Becca and Jack, which they too can share with their children one day.

God Bless

Funeral Arrangements

Wake will be on Thursday at Hultgren's Funeral Home in Wheaton on Main Street. Visitation will be from 3:00 - 9:00 p.m.

The funeral Mass will be on Friday at St. James Catholic Church on Park Boulevard in Glen Ellyn at 12:00PM.

We look forward to celebrating Jim's life with everyone...
God Bless

Jim is with The Lord

Jim passed peacefully this afternoon with family by his side. Arrangements are still being worked out, but here is the tentative schedule. Please check the blog tomorrow morning for final confirmation.

Wake will be on Thursday at Hultgren's Funeral Home in Wheaton on Main Street. Visitation will most likely be from 3:00 - 9:00 p.m.
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The funeral Mass will be on Friday at St. James Catholic Church on Park Boulevard in Glen Ellyn. Tentative time is 12:00 noon.

Please send on information to others who may not be aware.

God Bless.

Jim is in God's Hands

The doctors have done everything they can and at this point Jim is resting comfortably,
pain free. Most of our family is gathered by his side and Jim is having special moments with each of us.

Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

God Bless

Back to ICU

They moved Jim back to ICU today after he was having labored breathing during dialysis. He is still having problems with his mental status and has not spoken in several days. They did an Echo this afternoon to check for blood clots in the lungs...no info yet. Also doing a Doppler of arms and legs checking for clots. Jim still needs to have his MRI of the brain and a spinal tap to check for infection in the spine. Lots going on with lots of waiting and praying.

"Be anxious for nothing says the Lord"

God Bless

Jim had his liver biopsy first thing this morning and all went well. We should have results on Friday. The doctors feel his mental status has gotten worse in the last few days, so they have ordered additional testing of the brain. Jim just had an EEG and will have an MRI of the brain this evening. They are looking for seizures or bleeding in the brain.

Waiting for more information....it's a struggle some days to wait.

God Bless

The doctors are going to do another liver biopsy tomorrow. Jim has been in a holding pattern for several days and the liver refuses to improve. They want to make sure they are not missing anything and will go to a different area of the liver for comparison to the previous biopsy. They will be looking for an infection or the possibility of Host vs. Graft disease.

Jim has not been alert or really awake today. He received 2 units of blood during dialysis. His platelets are at 22, so they will be boosting those up to 50 before the biopsy tomorrow. We are all hopeful that something will be found that can be treated, so we can work on improving Jim's strength.

The last few days have been very emotional for me and I struggle with allowing the Lord to control this situation. I know in my heart that God will take care of Jim. I also have not given up hope that this condition can turn itself around...if it is part of Gods plan.

God Bless

Jim is settled back in at Prentice and trying hard to recover from the events of last week. The tube feedings seem to be going pretty well. I hope and pray that Jim will gain strength this week and have peace each day............ that is about all I have the energy to write for today.

God Bless

Jim is out of ICU

I am happy to report that Jim moved back over to Prentice this afternoon. He still has a long road ahead, but to be out of ICU is great for his mental attitude. As I have said before, Prentice 15 is the transplant floor and it is our home.

Last night Jim had a CT scan of his stomach to make sure there is no more bleeding going on. They have started to give him small feedings in his tube today and hope it will be tolerated.

That's it for today...God Bless.

Another Crazy Day

Woke up to a phone call from the interventional radiologist this morning to get my consent for an angiogram of the vessels around Jim's stomach. We had thought the bleeding problem had been fixed, but obviously not. Once they got in there it was not readily apparent where the blood was still coming from. After looking from side and back views, they found the source and quickly put a coil on to stop the bleeding. It is 3PM and this seems to have worked so far...praise the Lord! Jim also pulled out his breathing tube again last night at 8PM. He has been off ever since...so there you go! He is working hard to make his own decisions, which makes me smile and cringe at the same time. God Bless him for his tenacity to do it his way...

They just came in to do dialysis and someone will be with him for the next 4 hours. I have decided that this is a good time for me to leave and know that he is in good hands.

Please pray for Jim to continue to fight this battle his way. He obviously knows exactly what he is doing. Please pray that Jim regains some strength and endurance this weekend to move out of ICU and back to our "angels" on 15 Prentice. I have met wonderful "angels" here as well....but the 15th floor is our home. We continually thank God for all of the wisdom and knowledge of the doctors who compassionately treat him.

And we can not thank all of you enough for helping us along the way...we are very lucky people...thanks to you!

God Bless

A Rough 24 Hours for Jim

Just when you think things are going to start turning around..something else happens. As you have read, Jim decided to pull out his breathing tube Tuesday evening. After about 2 hours Jim was starting to have trouble breathing and his blood pressure shot up. The team asked him if he would like the tube put back in and he said "yes" (thank the lord). When I came the next morning, he was getting is 2nd unit of blood and his nose was bleeding non stop. The platelets had dropped to 27 and he would need several blood products thru out the day. As I watched the IV drip blood in the tube, his nose continued to drip the blood out. Finally this morning the bleeding was under control from the nose. Now he was coughing blood from the vent tube, which they think is coming from the back of his throat. We just got him cleaned up ad he is resting nicely. They have taken him off of sedation and he has had his eyes open several times through out the day.

Jim still has the rhino virus in his nose and lungs, this may also be hindering the progress with the liver. He seems to be having a very tough time shaking this, even with all of the antibiotics he is on.

Some goods news for the day: we can finally use the PEG tube in his stomach. They have given him medication and all has gone smoothly. Later this afternoon he will have his first nutrition feeding. They are also trying to get him off the ventilator. Today he is on pressure support, which means he is doing most of the breathing with a small amount of help from the machine. If Jim tolerates this well, they will try to wean him off tomorrow. Both big steps to help get him out of ICU and back to the 15th floor at Prentice.

I can't believe tomorrow is Friday and we have been here for 6 weeks already. I am working hard to keep my mind on "one day at a time." This week has brought some anger for me, but I am over it now. Just want to be on the road to recovery.

Keep praying and believing...I am.

God Bless

Jim was somewhat alert and restless yesterday, moving his legs and opening his eyes a few times. Last night at 11pm he managed to pull out his breathing tube for the ventilator. They had to bag him and put a breathing mask on until they can reinsert the ET tube this morning. This latest episode will set things back a bit. They plan to do another endoscopy today as some bleeding is still happening in his stool.

Not sure what the plan is will be today...will update later today.