Boogie's Last Post

This blog has served its purpose. Shan and I tried our best to keep all those who loved and cared for Mom informed on how she was doing while courageously fighting melanoma. While doing so, I hope you got a glimpse of how deeply we loved our mother. Thanks for loving my mother too. Please stay in touch. My two email addresses are:
goddard.hampton@us.icapenergy.com
boogiehampton@gmail.com

Here are my words (yes, Shannon had to read them for me) from the service on Saturday:


A devastating storm blew in this past week and my lights went out. My lights are back on now, but my world will forever be a little less bright. There is a little less love. The world will be a little less fun, a little less forgiving, a little less compassionate, and a little less encouraging. Without my mom, how could it not be?

She made vacations more memorable.
She made holidays more joyful.
She made her friends feel more special.
And her family so much more loved.
She made me.......such a better person.

Our mothers shape and mold so much of our character and personalities. Im proud to admit Im a lot like my mother. There is a lot of her in me.

When I get overly excited about something and jump in head first without much thought --that's Mom in me.
When I dream huge, unrealistic dreams--that's Mom in me.
When I take wild, uncalculated risks--that's Mom in me.
When there are threatening skies overhead and I still dont have a worry in the world--that's Mom in me.
When I want to party and have a little too much fun--that's Mom in me.
When I dont sweat the small stuff--that's Mom in me.
When I trust strangers too much--that's Mom in me.
When I leave the doors unlocked at night--that's Mom in me.
When I think you're better than you really are--that's Mom in me.
When Im not offended by you when maybe I should be--that's Mom in me.
When Im selfless and generous, that's Mom in me.
When Im mentally tough and resilient, determined to persevere--that's Mom in me.
When Im naive to other's bad intentions or evil motives--that's Mom in me.
When March Madness overtakes me and I cheer out of my mind for the Louisville Cardinals--that's Mom in me.
When I walk by faith WAY more than I do by sight--that's Mom in me.
When Im totally relaxed on a beach, with the wind in my hair, the sun on my face, the sand under my feet, and a cold, fruity drink in my hand--that's Mom in me.
When I passionately defend a friend or family member, that's Mom in me.
When I am at my most caring, my most tender, and my most loving--it is Mom in me.
She will always be in me.
And while I have always trusted God that heaven is a wonderful place-in some way-I know it is now even better. And I will yearn even more to go there to be with my mom and my Lord when my days here on earth are done.

Last Entry from Shannon

This will be my last entry. I thank everyone who prayed for my mom. I still believe in miracles and I will tell anyone to never give up hope when things seem completely hopeless. Through all your prayers and support for our mom I truly believe God gave her the strength and courage to get through the hardest 8 months of her life. This is my tribute to her from Saturday.


I thank everyone for coming today --- it is beautiful to see how mom was loved so much. I cannot express my gratitude to all the people that sent cards to mom to encourage her, brought endless meals, written on our blog, and simply showing her love through these past 8 months. How can you put into words or on paper how much you love your mom. This is difficult for me. My mom was such a beautiful person but even more she was a fabulous mom for us. Mom was the type of mother that would call me, Sarah , and Jenn about 5 times a day just to see what her grandbabies did for that day. She always called me and asked is Nate doing any new tricks today? Mom was always involved and in our business even if we didn't want her in it which was seldom. That is the type of mom she was. She always had a plan. Calling Jenn and planning our beach trips. There is just so much I could say about my mom, we could be here forever. But I think the most I will take away from my mom's life is how she was always behind me 100% in every possible way. Even during my rebellious teenage years, my mother loved me even when i didn't deserve her love. She was the only person that stood by my side when I disappointed everyone around me. She built me up, held my hand, pushed me and made me the incredibly strong woman I am today. People have called me a survivor, and I can only give credit to my mom that created the survivor in me. We had been through everything together. I would not want it any other way. Thank you Lord for blessing me with my mom.
I will stand up here once again and say God is GOOD, and everything he does is for GOOD. I am going to miss my other so extremely much, but I know without a shadow of doubt I will see her beautiful face again. I know, like I know my own name that there is a God in heaven that sent his son to die on a cross for our sins, that it is by our FAITH in Jesus Christ that we can spend eternity with him and with those that believe and love Him. I know my mom loved Jesus. I do have that hope and peace in my heart that we will share eternity with each other. I pray that it is soon. I pray also that if you do not know and have a relationship with our Lord that you ask and receive him today----I know my mother would want everyone she loved and knew to love the Lord.

I will end today with some lyrics from a song that I had heard a couple a months ago. A dear friend had sent me the words through email not knowing that I had loved it. I hadn't heard the song on the radio for a long time and this morning I heard it while I was driving over to mom's house. It describes my emotions clearly and how I am surrendering to the past 8 months.

Jenny Owens

"If you want me to"

The pathway is broken

And the signs are unclear

And I dont' know the reason why You brought me here

But just because You love me the that You do

I'm gonna walk through the valley

If you want me to

Cause I not who I was

When I took my first step

And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet

so if all of these trials brings me closer to you

Then I will walk through the fire

If you want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen

When you lead me through a world that is not my home

But you never said it would be easy

You only said I'd never go alone

So when the whole world turns against me

And I'm all by myself

And I can't hear You answer my cries for help

I 'll remember the suffering that Your love put YOU through

And I will walk through the darkness

If you want me to

Cuz when I cross over Jordan

Gonna sing, Gonna shout,

Gonna look into Your eyes and see You NEVER let me down

So take me on the pathway that leads me home to You

And I will walk through the valley

If you want me to

YES, I will walk through the valley

if you want me to.

Love to all -- thanks for praying for mom

Shannon Duff

A Celebration of Life

On Friday evening after the visitation, Gabby told Shannon that she wanted to sing for Gig's funeral service. Knowing that Gig would love it, Shannon told her to go ahead. With the help of Caroline, Jaclyn, Alli and Emily they created a gift that will be treasured forever.

This is their demostration of Love to Giggy at the end of the service. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

They are singing "I Miss You" by Miley Cyrus.

(If the video is not working, here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3jQ5qbVUC0)

Gavin

Thank You for your prayers and words...

Many have asked recently about where to send flowers and we appreciate your sentiment and love.  Vicki had many passions in her life and out of those loves we would like to recommend two of the following organizations to send a gift to in lieu of flowers:

- The World Race, a simply amazing mission dedicated to spreading His word.  This was Sarah's mission for the past year as she traveled the world.

- The Brown Cancer Center at the University of Louisville, the individuals who serve at this great facility are dedicated to finding a cure for this awful disease.  The link will take Mint Jubilee, a charitable foundation dedicated to ensuring comfort for those diagnosed with cancer and their families.

Thank you so much for all each of you have done.

Visitation and Funeral Arrangements

There will be visitation on tomorrow, Friday, from 4-7pm at Pearsons Funeral Home on Breckinridge Lane, Louisville, KY. And a Celebration of Life service on Saturday at 4pm at Pearsons Funeral Home.

For anymore info contact:
Shannon @240-298-4457

Victoria Ann Turner (May 12, 1947-Sep 17, 2008)

Mom left us to go home to be with the Lord around 7:30 pm.

God Bless everyone for all your love and prayers,

Boogie

Mom is still sedated and on the ventilator.   She has been coming in and out but not very coherent at all.  She just lifts her arms a bit and moves her head.  She has been spitting up a brown, mucous fluid but hasn't done that for a few hours.  We did find out that mom has had a mild heart attack and a possible embolism in her lung.   We are waiting for Michael, mom's brother to get here from Atlanta.  Continue to pray for all of us and esp. for our sweet mom.

Love to all-- shannon

Wed. in the AM

"There is nothing, no circumstance, no trouble, no testing that can ever touch me until first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ, right through to me.

If it has come that far, it has come with a great purpose, which I may not understand at the moment, but as I refuse to become panicky, as I lift up my eyes to Him and accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great blessing to my own heart, no sorrow will ever disturb me, no trial will ever disarm me, no circumstance will cause me to fret, for I shall rest in the joy of what the Lord is."

- Alan Redpath

A beautiful woman sent this to me earlier this year.  I have held it close to my heart.  I am sitting in one of the waiting rooms on the sixth floor of UofL while a team finishes up an ekg on mom's heart.  Sarah, Gavin and I spent the night here last night.  Mom woke up for us early, early this morning and I got to see her eyes and talk to her.  I knew she was scared.  She couldn't talk because of the tube in her throat and she kept trying to lift her hands possible to take it out.  She is restrained.  Mom has always had a fear of being held down and loss of breathe so I cannot imagine what was going on in her head.  I held her hand, softly spoke to her and tried to explain what was happening.  How do you calm down from that?  I pray for God to settle her heart and mind.  

God tells us to come to the throne BOLDLY and render our prayers.  My prayer is still for a miracle.  I will pray for that until my mom takes her last breathe.   All I could think of last night while I watched her lay in the hospital bed with every tube possible coming out of her, was if I was laying there and she was at my side, my mom would fight for my life until the end.  She has walked through fire for everyone of her children and grandchildren.  I will do the same.  God is sovereign even in the midst of this battle.  The joy of the Lord is my strength.  That is what I am holding on to.  Please keep praying on your knees for mom.   

Love to all -- Shannon

An Early Morning Update

We arrived safely in Louisville at about 11:30 last night. I dropped off Shannon at the hospital right away, took the kids to stay with friends for the evening and then came back to the hospital to spend the evening with Shan, Sarah, Boog, Julie, Steph, Lacey and more as we learned about what was going on now and what we might expect in the future.

Here are the facts, because besides faith in knowing that the Lord is sovereign that is all I can pass along with any certainty right now.

Vicki is in the ICU here at UofL Hospital after experiencing considerable difficulty breathing. She has a wonderful nurse this evening who is lovingly taking care of her and a team of doctors who use more acronyms than I do. She is on a ventilator delivering 100% oxygen, additionally her heart is being assisted by being pressed (that is no doubt not the medical term, however I can't remember what they said right now). Basically, the assistance for her heart is ensuring that blood continues to flow and distribute oxygen to all of her vital organs. She is on numerous medications, some to fight off infections, some to fight a possible blood clot and others to make her comfortable.

We do not really know what the future holds. The doctors will make their rounds again this morning between 9 AM and Noon and should have something more then, how much more is the great unknown.

Please pray for Shannon, Boog and Sarah as they consider any of the significant decisions they are asked to make. That whatever they do, they prayerfully ask the Lord for guidance and hear His will. No doubt this day will be full of challenges and stress, so pray also for peace and rest when time permits.

Shannon or Boog will update later when they have a chance.

by Grace Alone,

Gavin

Mom's in Critical Condition

mom has been put on a ventilator. I am leaving with all my family ASAP. We need all your prayers.

Shannon

Mom's admitted to University

Well, I really wanted to post about how we had such a great time this past weekend but I am actually having to tell you all that after mom and Sarah got back to KY this afternoon she fell onto the driveway getting out of the car and fell backwards hitting her head and left side. She was knocked unconscious for a few minutes, then finally awoke. Sarah, of course was frantic and dialed 911 which she said seemed to take forever. Julie, my cousin, which is an RN was thankfully there and they were trying to keep mom calm and encouraging her not to get up. The EMS finally arrived and transported mom to UofL. From there, they gave a cT scan on her brain and praise God that there is no bleeding or swelling. They did find lots of fluid on mom's right lung and administered a perithentesis. They got some fluid out which brought up her BP and brought down her HR. Mom is a bit confused though and is has some short term memory loss. She is staying overnight and hopefully Dr.Miller will be in to see her early in the AM. I am anxiously awaiting in Memphis to hear what else is going to be done and praying that she is going to have a full recovery. I am really hoping they do a Pet scan tomorrow so there is no internal bleeding from the fall, but that is only me being cautious.

I will tell you that we had such a fabulous time here in Memphis. Mom was weak coming in but by Saturday she went to Gabby's soccer game and afterwards mom, Sarah and I went and got pedi's and mani's. It was so nice. Then, last night Sarah and i got a great idea and decided that we were going to dye the little hair that mom has on her head. SHe was all for it. So now she is a beautiful chestnut amber fuzz head. :) I was so excited and happy for her because she was really gaining strength. It crushes me that now this has happened and we are starting all over again. Please keep praying for mom. Please pray for Sarah too because she was a mess tonight and feels like she is responsible for mom's fall which she could have not helped it at all.

please pray for strength for our mom -- please keep all of us in your prayers as well. It absolutely tears our hearts knowing mom is going through all of this.

Love to all ---shannon

Mom and Sarah headed to Memphis for the Weekend!!!

Just an update-- mom called me Tuesday night and said she felt very uncomfortable and thought she needed a tap--remember she has not had one since July. She wanted me to call radiology and see if I could get her in. Everyone LOVES mom wherever she goes and we have developed a relationship with the radiology team at Norton Suburban. So when I called the nurses and radiologist's assistant (Brooke) was so happy they would see her. They got her in right away. Mom went in on Wednesday morning and they actually took out 3 1/2 liters of fluid. I was a bit shocked --it always still shocks me that she can loose about 10lbs. in a few minutes. I am still confused why she didn't need one for so long and why all of a sudden her fluid started developing. Please pray that the cancer has not been activated. That is one thing Sarah and I were talking about. Pray against it please. Mom felt so much better and went straight home to bed. Tonight, Sarah is packing mom up and coming down here. Yippee!!! It will be great to have them both here. They drive back up on Monday --short but sweet.

Love to all --keep praying for mom

Shannon

Mom's Good

Hey everyone -- sorry we haven't posted in a while....no news is good news. Mom finally has moved down stairs. It took a while but with some help of dear friends we got things moved and she absolutely loves how Sarah has arranged and decorated the first level. Thanks baby sis! (and my dear friend Christy S.) Mom has been busy with her new hobby cooking and also cleaning it has really wiped her out this past week. She has no energy now. She also did not mention to us that she had bled a bit out of her pores and only told my friend Christy Sipes. Christy called me up and told me about it so of course I got her into Dr. Miller today @ 8am. She had also complained about shortness of breath. Sarah took her to the clinic and everything check out alright. Her Hemoglobin was down to 8, and if it is 7 then she needs a transfusion. Dr. Miller said it wouldn't hurt her to get one so he ordered a transfusion for that same day. I have been wanting Sarah to come visit me down here in Memphis, so she may come down on Thursday and bring mom -- just for a few days. Plans are not definite yet. Contiue to pray for mom. She is really a trooper!!

Love to all -- keep praying for mom

Shannon

Moving downstairs

Mom's hospital bed is being delivered tomorrow. It will be set up downstairs so she wont have to negotiate the stairs nearly as much. I actually think this will help her to be more active than she is right now. Upstairs, she had the tendency of feeling trapped. Now, she will have easy access to the kitchen whenever she wants, and will be more ready, mentally and physically, to leave the house whenever anyone wants to take her out. It wont be such a chore to just get up and go.
This is a big step for Mom. Shan and I have been suggesting she make this move for quite a while. Emotionally, she has resisted moving downstairs for so long because that was Mammy's (Mom's mother) place. That is where she took care of her sick mother the last few years of her life before she passed away. I think the space held memories of sickness and death for Mom. Im glad she has overcome those feelings. Memories and emotions are powerful things that affect us in ways we often dont even recognise. We are going to try to help decorate the room and liven the place up a bit, too. Jenn is a master at the "happy place" decor. I also think Mom will feel more comfortable seeing visitors now too. So, if you are out and about, I suggest just swinging by and popping in to see her.
God Bless,
Boogie