Linda's Funeral - Tuesday, December 9th

In Loving Memory – Linda Almeas

Funeral Services- 10 AM (Tuesday, December 9th)
Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel66 Old Short Hills Road • Livingston, NJ 07039(973) 422-0600 • (800) 938-6372 http://www.bernheim-apter-kreitzman.com

Cemetery -
Beth Moses CemeteryWellwood Ave. Pinelawn, NY (South Shore, Long Island)
631-249-2290

Directions to cemetery: (there will not be a funeral procession)
Turn right out of the parking lot onto East Cedar Street. Travel ¼ mile and at light make a right onto Northfield Avenue. There will be a North Hills Dry Cleaner on your right. Travel aprrox. 13 traffic lights, approximately 3 miles. Follow signs to Interstate 280 East, follow signs to the New Jersey Turnpike North to George Washington Bridge to Cross Bronx Expressway to Throggs Neck Bridge to Clearview Expressway to Long Island Expressway (East) to Exit 49S. Follow service road to Pinelawn Road (third traffic light). Turn right and continue on Pinelawn Road, which becomes Wellwood Avenue (approx. 3 1/2 miles) to cemetery on left. * Meet at the cemetery’s office at 12:45pm

Shiva - The Almeas family will be sitting shiva at the home of Roberta & Ira's home on Tuesday 12/09 upon return from cemetery (approximately 3pm), then Wednesday and Thursday between the hours (1 - 5pm) and (7-9pm) with Minyan services 7:30pm nightly

Roberta & Ira Almeas
4 Terry Terrace
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 992-3667
* Please go to Map Quest for directions

Donations - Those interested may donate to:

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
· Your donation supports a comprehensive approach to fighting pancreatic cancer through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. Your generosity creates a sense of hope and community to those affected by pancreatic cancer.

Secured online donation form: http://www.pancan.org/

If you would like to make a donation by check, please make checks payable to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and send to:
· Pancreatic Cancer Action Network2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000El Segundo, CA 90245
To donate by phone, call Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at 877-272-6226.

- Or to the wonderful and loving Hospice staff at St. Barnabas Hospital:
Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center, Livingston, NJ

The Dash -

A good friend sent me the following poem today and it is appropriate right now in my life. All tombstones have a beginning date and an end it's the dash between the dates that reflects who you really are during your life.

In July 2006, a short 3-minute movie was launched on the Internet called The Dash. Since then, over 40 million people from around the world have watched it; and over 20,000 a day continue to watch it as a result of people passing it along. The movie has been more successful than we could have ever imagined. More importantly, however, it has inspired many, many people to reflect on their lives and ask that all important question, 'Are my priorities where they should be?' I hope you enjoy this movie and share it with those who are close to you. Click This Link to View: The Dash Movie - http://www.dashpoemmovie.com/

Time is not on our side...

Too fast - too soon...
Less than 6 months since Linda's diagnose and hospice has informed us that there is little life left inside of her. Mom is now on morphine and resting most of the day. She has little energy and has been unable to sit up for a few days.

I still read her emails and letters and share stories from her loved ones. Today I just held her hand and watched her breath, breath ever so slowly. My family all said their goodbyes and told mom that we'll be okay if she is ready to leave us. I found it difficult to say goodbye. Am I selfish to not want to say goodbye? The other day, while swimming early in the morning, I thought to myself maybe we didn't do all we can do to keep mom strong. Why do I doubt the doctors? Did her course of chemo prolong her life or set her back by draining her energy? On the other hand are we on this earth for a cause and once we fulfill our task we depart? I have decided to take the high road and just accept mom's fate. She might not be here but she will always be here - if you know what I mean.

When I think of my mom - this is what comes to mind:

• A big smile that lights up the room.
• Unconditional love.
• Pride in her family and her traditions.
• Sounding board - listening & providing advice.
• Honesty & ethical.
• Reliable - always there for you anytime.

OK, so you have been reading my blog. It's my personal diary and I'm pleased to share my thoughts with anyone that cares to read these words. Now, I want and need your feedback. I want you to add your comments to this blog. I find it therapeutic to write your feelings out especially when we are all emotional. I would like to include some of these comments in my eulogy. I suggest writing a brief story that you will most remember about Linda or just a few words that best describe Linda.

Thank you in advance for your feedback, but most importantly for your love, support and caring. My dad will need every one's support most and I know this will not be an easy task. Please continue to call him or write to him (he hasn't mastered email yet) - his heart is broken over my mom and it kills me to see him in this funk.

LINDA'S THANKSGIVING VIDEO

Mom is so grateful for everyone who has mailed her letters, sent flowers, emailed messages and prayed for her health. The power of love has been overwhelming. It's been difficult to talk on the telephone with her lack of energy. Everyone that know my mother knows that she never likes to be the center of attention - so this has been tough for her to accept. I asked her to say a few words of thanks from the bottom of her heart.

Thanksgiving has a new meaning to me this year. I still have an anger inside of me towards this dreadful cancer. So part of me says "why should I be thankful?" I realize that although I know I'm loosing my dear mother soon, I have so much to be thankful for. I have a loving and wonderful family and I was raised by loving and caring parents. I am so very thankful for what I have learned from my mother throughout my life. I see that what goes around comes around in life. I see that so many people are deeply concerned about mom's health maybe because she has always been there for others and truly is interested in the well being of her friends and family.

Wishing all a happy Thanksgiving.

Pain, Pain Go Away...

The second nerve block was successful for mom. Finally, the never-ending cancer pain has left however mom's level of energy is pretty low. She has very little energy to walk and runs out of steam just walking a few steps.
Today mom and I went to the Cancer Center. She is dehydrated and needed vital fluids. Her Biliruben count is still high and her liver is just not functioning. The oncologist has decided to take her off her chemo since it has been determined that it will not benefit her anymore - cancer has conquered.
The goal now is to be at peace, without the pain, without the poisons from the chemo, to rest. Actually, the body will start slowing down and sleep will take over.... My mom is strong event though her body isn't strong. She hasn't given up but she is a realist. So many milestones coming up - my parents 50th anniversary on 21 February and my son Jacob's bar mitzvah on 28 February. Mom still worries more of others than herself - she feels she's disappointing others with her fate.
I'm going to loose one of my best friends, my mentor, my business partner. However, mom will always be with me. This is the strength that will get me through these next few days, weeks, months...

Linda Almeas - Current Events

Pancreatic Cancer Sucks!

It has not been an easy journey for my mom since being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer this past June.

Mom had not been a patient in the hospital since my birth and rarely ill all these years.

We have all learned more than you can imagine about this cancer. I know:

• It's not genetic
• It's difficult to detect
• It moves very fast
• Normally it's terminal

We did the due diligence routine and received opinions from the best New York City oncologists. The course of action was all the same - nothing radical going on in pancreatic cancer studies...

The pain, the pain, the pain...

Mom has been in constant pain for the last few months. Tomorrow she is receiving her second dose of nerve block. We are praying that this procedure relieves her agony and allows her some quality of life. The pain medication has not agreed with mom. She eats very little and food doesn't excite her anymore. Is this my mom?

Pancreatic cancer spreads...

The initial chemo regimen worked fine in slowing the growth of cancer in the pancreas, however it didn't do much to curb the spread of the cancer in her liver. Mom has advanced metastatic cancer on the liver - not too good. The chemo regimen needed to be changed this week. Her wonderful oncologist was able to get a chemo drug that isn't FDA-approved for pancreatic cancer. This direction is her last hope to slow the damage to her liver and prolong her life.

So, what's next?

We're all hoping that this course of action - the new chemo regimen and the nerve block gives my mom the much needed quality of life she needs and deserves. We all know the outcome and realize that this is not what anyone ever expected from a healthy 69-year old woman. Personally, it pains me to see my mother in pain. I feel helpless - what can I do? Mom has little energy to get on the phone, she only goes out for treatment and barely eats meals. I want her friends and family to know that she is aware that people are praying for her & wishing her well.

I promise to update this blog and provide updates to all her well-wishers.

NYC Condo - moving on up

We're excited, it looks like we're going to own a piece of New York City!
235 West End Avenue (at 71st Street) This pre-war building has charm, river views all packaged in 1,000 sq ft in he center of the Westside.