Our Own LORACE — A Message to the Epinions Community Jul 10 '07    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Gifts and Collectibles Pioneer X Pando Magnetic Album From $12 Pioneer Photo Albums Pioneer Photo Albums Magnetic Page 3-Ring Photo Album, 100 Pgs. From $8 The Bottom Line — With heavy heart, I bring you this news. Nearly five years ago, I stumbled across this website known as Epinions and wrote my first product review. It didn't take long for me to start meeting people in the warm, friendly community. One of the first people who added me to their WOT was our wonderful Lorace. She and I became fast friends. Although I haven't written an Epinion in nearly three years, Lorace and I have continued to keep up through emails. Her letters to me were quite frequent. Filled with personality and love, her notes were always a bright spot in my in-box. Then, suddenly, without warning, her emails stopped. The last time I heard from Lorace was on January 26 of this year. Months passed, and I thought of — and worried about — her often. Several times I tried reaching her through both of her addresses, but got no replies. As a last resort, I decided I would try to contact her daughter Jeni. I wrote to Jeni on June 29. Not knowing whether or not Jeni's email address was still active, I was happy to see her reply within hours after I’d written to her. But upon opening her mail, my happiness quickly turned to sadness. Jeni told me that her dear mother had taken a bad fall in March. She had hip replacement surgery at that time, and everything seemed to be mending nicely — but then everything started going downhill. Lorace was transferred back and forth from the nursing home/rehab center to the hospital at least five times. As of Jeni's reply to me, Lorace was in the nursing home once again. Here is part of what Jeni wrote: Mom has COPD (breathing problems) and that has been the main problem — she first could not get off the ventilator — they finally got her weaned from that — then her heart kept having fibrillations because she does not breathe deeply enough to keep her oxygen levels stable. They hope to start physical therapy again tomorrow, and are looking to being able to send her home with nurse assistance. This has been a very dark tunnel experience. I know that God can take her whenever He's ready — and so far, He hasn't, so I am hopeful she will mend and have some sort of meaningful life. The above was very difficult for me to swallow; yet I joined Jeni in remaining hopeful that Lorace would pull through. Then, a week later, I heard from Jeni again. She told me that Lorace was having an extremely hard time getting stabilized with her breathing. She was on a breathing machine and "quite medicated." Jeni wrote, "...[Mom] doesn't wake up much and is not really aware when people are there. The rehab center even called and asked her husband, Richard, not to visit while they are giving her breathing treatments because it wears her out. Before this latest episode, I did tell her that you asked about her and she seemed to understand and know who I was talking about." By now, my heart was breaking. What do you say to someone whose beloved mother is taking a turn for the worse? Somehow "I’m sorry" just doesn't seem like enough. Three more days passed. Then, late last night, I heard from Jeni once again. She has asked me to notify our Epinions community of the latest turn in her mother's life. I feel it's best if you hear it straight from Jeni, so here are her words: Just to update you ... according to the Hospice people, my Mom has a week to two weeks for this world. I knew she would want you to know, and I would appreciate it if you would let the Epinions community know. I visited her Saturday, and it was quite upsetting, as she didn't really know me — she was alert and really related to the television set, but not to those around her..... This will be a difficult time, but I'm glad she is not in any pain and I don't think she is really aware of what is happening. Thank you for your prayers. ♥ ♥ ♥ If any of you would like to leave a note of encouragement, you may write to Jeni. Her email address is on her Epinions profile page. I know the family would appreciate hearing from all of us who love this incredible woman we know as Lorace.

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