tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33702142012-05-21T03:06:38.596-05:00My experiences with leukemia, blindness, and life in generalJohn Slatinnoreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-65099668093986828222009-03-27T18:36:00.004-05:002009-03-27T18:52:36.675-05:00

Anna, Mason, Melissa, Peter, Nevah, Hannah, Jay, and Mafalda have been commemorating the one year anniversary of John's passing in Paris, John's favorite city. We will update you soon. Love, Anna

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-90190715977098832452009-03-10T09:38:00.005-05:002009-03-20T11:34:52.244-05:00

Hi everyone: Reaching out to you with love---I have found myself reliving a lot of beautiful and sad experiences from last year at this time. Peter, Nevah, Hannah, Mason, Melissa, Jay and I will be joined in Paris by Mafalda where we will commemorate the 1-year anniversary of John's passing. In the blogpost before this one, there is a description of our ceremony plans.For March 24th, we will read

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-91815051849890274382009-01-18T15:52:00.005-06:002009-01-18T16:37:34.319-06:00

Dearest friends and family:To mark the anniversary of John's death last March, Peter Slatin, Nevah Assang, Hannah Slatin, Mason Carroll, Melissa Craven, Jay Byrd, Mafalda Stasi and I will be gathering in Paris for the core dates of March 23, 24th, and 25th. You are invited too.We plan some simple events for the 23rd-25th:March 23 will focus on "Past"--with memories of John in Paris, to be held at

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-59160382062431625582008-12-09T13:15:00.003-06:002008-12-10T12:45:33.412-06:00

56 years ago today, john came into this world, to myles and diana at a hospital in buffalo. when he died eight months ago in houston, i climbed into the hospital bed with him, covering us both up with the dayglow lime green blanket......it felt peaceful, surrounded by our family. so much love.soooooo much love and impact he had while here.a year ago, 85 people showed up on short notice to laredo

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-27483308514152774152008-04-30T16:58:00.002-05:002008-04-30T17:14:05.508-05:00

Loved ones: Dillon died at 4:30pm today in the presence of Jay Byrd, Diane Colvard, Jack McKinney, and myself. He had been unable to walk properly since yesterday and spent his time lying on the grass on the front yard and then last night on the grounds of Dancing Waters Inn at friend David Baker's in Wimberley.Jay and Jack carried him into the vet's today on his "blue cloud" rug, while he lay

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-88216514699597305592008-04-28T17:18:00.003-05:002008-04-28T18:02:45.004-05:00

Hi all:It is very sad to see Dillon, who provided so much beautiful service as a guide dog to John (and opened our hearts wide wide wide) growing weaker. I don't think he will be long for this world and I will keep you posted. He has greeted so many people over the last month and continues to love to be petted as he lies down and dozes most of the time.So many of you have helped me and continue

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-32730767605440292102008-04-15T10:23:00.004-05:002008-04-28T17:18:39.113-05:00

Thanks again for all of the loving messages, gifts, and invitations I've received from you guys. Each and every one of these connections has been healing, helpful, and hopeful to me. I look forward to more and more time and lovely conversations with you. A few messages ago, I mentioned carrying forward John's mission. I know that this is already being done by so many of you in the wonderful work

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-69996705753125343742008-04-12T09:49:00.002-05:002008-04-12T09:53:40.086-05:00

Hi there: I just had the grief & joy experience of reading the newly posted words of these 5 individuals who also spoke at John's Memorial Service. You can find their words by going to the edited post on April 9th. I love you all!Anna

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-21821900208076961052008-04-09T14:26:00.012-05:002008-04-12T09:48:42.512-05:00

Dr. Evan Carton, UT English ProfessorOpening Meditation (Malachey Elyon)The Hebrew word for angel is malach. Which also means messenger. One who is sent.Not the cherubic creatures that adorn architecture or valentines. Malachey Elyon, messengers of the most high, may be anyone who is sent. It is required only that there be an errand, a message.One thing separates Malachey Elyon from other sorts

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-21135289185764266642008-04-08T13:34:00.004-05:002008-04-08T15:50:22.821-05:00

Hi everyone: Thank you so very much for your messages of love and support. Many of you are emailing, calling, coming by, and maintaining your lovely connections. Thanks for the touching comments on this blog. You are easing my pain for sure and I am so grateful for your kind acts.We really really are about to post the notes for the memorial service--you will see it tomorrow. Also I have a CD of

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-72982576054446568232008-04-01T14:40:00.012-05:002008-04-02T15:05:06.290-05:00

Hi all: Thanks again for all of your support. It has taken me a couple of days to go in as an "administrator" of the blog (which I didn't know I was:) and set it up to receive comments. I know a lot of you, particularly from out of town, would like to share memories, stories, or comments about John's life. To prevent spam, the comments will be quickly reviewed before posting--probably by Diane

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-30899370606004743822008-03-31T15:57:00.011-05:002008-04-09T16:55:29.058-05:00

In Memoriam, John Slatin, 1952-2008Photo taken of John by Sally Weber, New Year's 2008 at "The Plant," country home of Dana Friis-Hansen and Mark Holzbach in Kyle, TexasLove abounds and John was so exquisitely remembered and celebrated at yesterday's events! I love you all so much!I am asking all of the speakers from yesterday (if I haven't talked to you yet) to email notes so that we can offer

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-43618773887250768212008-03-27T15:44:00.004-05:002008-03-27T15:56:33.509-05:00

Please join us for two events honoring John's life this Sunday, March 30:Memorial Service 2-4pmUniversity of Texas Alumni Center (on UT campus)2110 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin TX 78712Street parking and underground parking available on San JacintoBarbeque supper in the Hill Country (with vegetarian options)5:30 pm onOpen mic for your remembrances of John, and music by LZ LoveSalt Lick Pavillion

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-47845563430980085472008-03-26T07:36:00.006-05:002008-03-26T08:20:32.718-05:00

Hi all: Peter, Myles, Ledia, Mason, Wolf, Melissa, and I returned home to Austin at 7pm to a houseful of loving people to eat, cry and laugh with. More than a dozen angels from our dance group, having heard how traumatized I felt about walking into the house so infused with everything "John & Anna," had re-arranged furniture and wall art in the whole house to make it fresh and comfortable! Larkin

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-35125428557834169482008-03-25T00:20:00.003-05:002008-04-10T09:14:55.867-05:00

John passed away at 10pm tonight in the presence of Anna, Peter, Mason and Melissa. His breathing became softer and breaths further apart as Peter told him it was ok to let go, and we had just started playing Lakshmi's gentle meditation CD. Ledia, Wolf, and Myles joined us in the hospital room a few minutes later.Earlier Lakshmi Jackman, Sharron Rush, Celia Hughes and John Van Strien had visited

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-51410282712133347582008-03-24T14:26:00.004-05:002008-03-24T14:53:30.237-05:00

Today, Peter, Mason, Melissa and I were here when Dr. Jones told us that John's kidney and lungs were shutting down and that the liver and heart were very stressed. Also platelets are extremely low. We made the tough decison to take the doctor's recommendation and pull away all of the medicines that would prolong his suffering. Also they willl do no more blood tests as it would cause bleeding.

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-11615525192090193942008-03-24T04:34:00.002-05:002008-03-24T05:08:50.653-05:00

Hi all: It is very early Monday a.m. I didn't sleep much as John is breathing hard. When the nurses move him or do a breathing treatment, he seems in pain. Then I ask them to give him more pain medication and he breathes more quietly. Although I wake up some here, this is the most restful place for me to sleep. During the day, when others are here I can curl up for a nap now and then. This is

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-1029999858474910642008-03-21T15:04:00.002-05:002008-03-21T15:36:36.625-05:00

Ledia, Mason, Myles, Peter and I have been sitting in John's room, with Ledia and Mason switching out to take care of baby Wolf at Rotary House, as children under 12 are not allowed on this floor. Bill Nemir just arrived this minute from Austin. Mason's girlfriend Melissa plus Allison Orr, Judith Sokolow and George LaSalle will come tomorrow. It has been a peaceful "time out of time" experience

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-44729832273133790872008-03-20T09:39:00.002-05:002008-03-20T11:26:55.083-05:00

Hi sweet ones: It is Thursday morning and we are listening to gentle African music in John's room. Hope Lipnick, close friend and Jewish chaplain here at the hospital, is visiting. Luis, very (sweet and caring sitter from Honduras who comes in every day at 7am and stays most of the day) was just massaging John's neck gently from the side of the bed. I called Jewish Family Services and hired Luis

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-47608594523658891492008-03-17T09:20:00.006-05:002008-03-18T09:24:41.791-05:00

Hi all: The photo here was taken Thurs, when Dillon, Diane, Jack, Morgan, Will (Morgan's guide), and Richard visited with us in the hospital lobby. I love how golden retriever Will looks so concerned for Dillon and John. Just wanted to say a quick hello, and update you that John's pneumonia is worse. They have increased his supplemental oxygen and he is using a clear plastic mask over nose and

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-39039070166152765072008-03-15T07:38:00.004-05:002008-03-15T10:13:42.719-05:00

Since our last post a few days ago, we find ourselves on an even more difficult journey. John's speech has gotten even more slurred, coordination of legs and hands more difficult, and brain going through changes that make it hard for him to understand others and be understood himself. On top of that, John has a very painful bladder condition (they think it is a BK virus common to

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-2747479583348479992008-03-15T03:16:00.001-05:002008-03-15T05:06:24.406-05:00

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-56563906452691452722008-03-10T23:05:00.002-05:002008-03-11T00:57:35.246-05:00

Hi all: We want to start by thanking my amazing sister Patti and our brother in law Dennis who spent a 3-day weekend here taking care of John, me, and Papa Joe (Dennis' dad) who is in his 90s.It has been quite a demanding week and I have to admit feeling a bit overwhelmed and distressed with John's neurological symptoms from the radiation injury. Also, tomorrow he will have a bronchoscopy to

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-26748129200725477942008-03-07T04:43:00.002-06:002008-03-07T05:54:44.770-06:00

Loved ones: Dr. Forman came in yesterday afternoon and informed us that he neurology "tissue committee" met yesterday with a crowd of pathologists who specialize in brain pathology and they concluded the same thing Mason and I figured out (via net surfing on phrases we had picked up from the doctors) to be what is going on in John's brain---good brain cells are being damaged by the radiation he

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370214.post-6890468396411902212008-03-05T15:34:00.002-06:002008-03-05T15:38:23.490-06:00

Hi all: We are back on the bone marrow floor, in Green 1174, under the care of Dr. Andersson and his team (plus many consulting doctors). With the surgery, pneumonia, six or more medical disciplines involved, and the complexity of John's neurological symptoms, we've been constantly in motion since our last post. My part has been talking with doctors and nurses, helping them with John's day to day

annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13417970058921109109noreply@blogger.com0