Eileen Leavy Huber - Norfolk, Virginia - On Saturday morning, April 11, 2002, Eileen Leavy Huber ended her well-fought, five month battle with cancer. A native of Pittsburgh PA, Eileen attended Notre DameCollege, Cleveland and went on to complete her Master’s degree at Cleveland State University. As mother of Phillip, Brian, Brennan and Timothy Huber, she called Cleveland Heights home for the education of the boys as well.
Preceded in death by parents Dr. Philip G. Leavy and Margaret Lawton Leavy and sister, Mary Ellen Leavy, she leaves sisters Margaret Mary Leavy, Kathleen Leavy Perepezko and brother Philip G. Leavy, Jr., M. D..But she leaves also her pulsating legacy of the dedicated, dynamic, caring and much-loved teacher of the students at the International Preparatory School of Cleveland and the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School System
A huge life spark has gone out of the lives of her family. Eileen was all happiness and hope and helping others and if reality is harsh, well let’s get out there and change that. After she was diagnosed she said, "I can’t die. I’m not finished.". But in the wee hours of Saturday, listening to a passage about the forging of fine silver, she suddenly seemed to know that this "exit" was fraudulent and hurried along to begin the business of eternal "finishing". Phillip, Brian, Brennan and Timothy will always be her works-in-progress. It would be a privilege, indeed, for any of us to be on her "To do" list.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Ann’s Parish (Corner of Cedar and Coventry Roads in Cleveland Heights) to celebrate Eileen’s life this Saturday, April 18, 2002 at 11:00 A.M.. Eileen and family request that donations be made to the St. Ann’s Parish School: The Eileen Leavy Huber Fund, St. Ann’s Parish, Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights, OH. Thank you.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Dear Friends,
Some of you may have received a blog last nite, others not. I was not able to get it to "publish". But yesterday, Eileen rested after having had an extremely agitated, oxygen hungry night, with ongoing attempts at getting out of bed. Her first stomach tube feeding was begun at 10:30 & was tolerated well. (They begin very slowly - 10 cc’s/hr - & build, making sure it is absorbed). Today she is at 30 cc’s /min & absorbing well. Dr. Cross advised radiation yesterday to hold treatment until Monday giving the antibiotics a chance to clear her rt-sided pneumonia and continuing to clear secretions & increase physical activity.
Her night was quiet but her oxygen saturation was sub-optimal despite frequent suctioning. Today she had a repeat chest film which showed that the pneumonia had spread to both lung bases along with more fluid accumulation. The day has therefore been spent concentrating on lung treatments so that the clogged lung areas will begin to open. Her rt arm/hand pain has been nicely controlled and the doctor wants to use the IV sedation only when absolutely necessary as it is a respiratory depressant as well.
Tomorrow, Brian, Philip and Brennan are driving down so she is naturally very excited. Hopefully she will get good rest during the night and continued lung clearing tomorrow. She was visited by the pastor from our old Norfolk parish, received communion and wasBlessed with the Holy Water from Lourdes sent by Betsy. We are about to go home for the night. She has enjoyed being with Tim & Jennie this evening and Kath has decided to extend her visit through Easter as well. Til tomorrow, then, Lorane . . . ,
Some of you may have received a blog last nite, others not. I was not able to get it to "publish". But yesterday, Eileen rested after having had an extremely agitated, oxygen hungry night, with ongoing attempts at getting out of bed. Her first stomach tube feeding was begun at 10:30 & was tolerated well. (They begin very slowly - 10 cc’s/hr - & build, making sure it is absorbed). Today she is at 30 cc’s /min & absorbing well. Dr. Cross advised radiation yesterday to hold treatment until Monday giving the antibiotics a chance to clear her rt-sided pneumonia and continuing to clear secretions & increase physical activity.
Her night was quiet but her oxygen saturation was sub-optimal despite frequent suctioning. Today she had a repeat chest film which showed that the pneumonia had spread to both lung bases along with more fluid accumulation. The day has therefore been spent concentrating on lung treatments so that the clogged lung areas will begin to open. Her rt arm/hand pain has been nicely controlled and the doctor wants to use the IV sedation only when absolutely necessary as it is a respiratory depressant as well.
Tomorrow, Brian, Philip and Brennan are driving down so she is naturally very excited. Hopefully she will get good rest during the night and continued lung clearing tomorrow. She was visited by the pastor from our old Norfolk parish, received communion and wasBlessed with the Holy Water from Lourdes sent by Betsy. We are about to go home for the night. She has enjoyed being with Tim & Jennie this evening and Kath has decided to extend her visit through Easter as well. Til tomorrow, then, Lorane . . . ,
Holy ThursDAY -following wildly busy night
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Holy ThursDAY -following wildly busy night
As we begin Good Friday,Apparently position - flat, hyperextended - Leenie had to be in during stomach tube placement caused much congestion and accompanying oxygen hunger during the night. Kath started to leave @ midnight, shortly after Phil & I left w/ Leenie looking/sounding fine, but could not b/c suddenly the congestion, air hunger went into hi gear. Leenie looked appropriately frightened & essentially fought Kath all night. She wanted to leave, & there was no changing her mind. We called Kath's cell @ 12:30 b/c we were worried but she said she was leaving in 15 minutes. Not. By 3:30, I was afraid to call & wake Kath or ?interrupt care. Kath got in @ 5:30 after Leenie FINALLY went to sleep. "Now Eileen, you can't get out of bed. You may fall. The rule is for you to stay in bed. I wouldn't lie to you." Leenie: "Yes, you would. " delivered w/ the coldest of shoulders. And so it went until her oxygen levels finally came up after LOTS of suctioning.During the day, she was comfortable, compliant and had excellent oxygen levels with the help of the staff & big brother tending to getting those secretions out. Dr. Cross said chest x-ray shows new, lg. fluid accumulation in rt lung probably from aspirating food. She is on new IV antibiotics for that, started food/med feedings this evening through new tube & was sleeping w/ a smile after seeing Tim who drove down to surprise her around 11. She can't have radiation unless she can be flat b/c @ a raised angle, it would cause more damage to lungs & less to Henry. So, she will get stronger on tube feeds, move around more (loosen secretions) as she did today - walked w/ cane & rt arm sling from chair to bed and, hopefully, not have any lung crises & be able to be flat for 15 min in comfort for radiation, possibly as an out patient.She knows it's in God's hands, is looking forward to Easter w/ the boys and will do everything she can to get those shots @ Henry. She sports a half pony-tail "do" w/ a bright green scrungy & had a great "watermelon pink" gloss smile on today. She'll receive communion again tomorrow & hopes to walk more and raise the head of the bed less. And less. . . Lorane et al , ,
Holy ThursDAY -following wildly busy night
As we begin Good Friday,Apparently position - flat, hyperextended - Leenie had to be in during stomach tube placement caused much congestion and accompanying oxygen hunger during the night. Kath started to leave @ midnight, shortly after Phil & I left w/ Leenie looking/sounding fine, but could not b/c suddenly the congestion, air hunger went into hi gear. Leenie looked appropriately frightened & essentially fought Kath all night. She wanted to leave, & there was no changing her mind. We called Kath's cell @ 12:30 b/c we were worried but she said she was leaving in 15 minutes. Not. By 3:30, I was afraid to call & wake Kath or ?interrupt care. Kath got in @ 5:30 after Leenie FINALLY went to sleep. "Now Eileen, you can't get out of bed. You may fall. The rule is for you to stay in bed. I wouldn't lie to you." Leenie: "Yes, you would. " delivered w/ the coldest of shoulders. And so it went until her oxygen levels finally came up after LOTS of suctioning.During the day, she was comfortable, compliant and had excellent oxygen levels with the help of the staff & big brother tending to getting those secretions out. Dr. Cross said chest x-ray shows new, lg. fluid accumulation in rt lung probably from aspirating food. She is on new IV antibiotics for that, started food/med feedings this evening through new tube & was sleeping w/ a smile after seeing Tim who drove down to surprise her around 11. She can't have radiation unless she can be flat b/c @ a raised angle, it would cause more damage to lungs & less to Henry. So, she will get stronger on tube feeds, move around more (loosen secretions) as she did today - walked w/ cane & rt arm sling from chair to bed and, hopefully, not have any lung crises & be able to be flat for 15 min in comfort for radiation, possibly as an out patient.She knows it's in God's hands, is looking forward to Easter w/ the boys and will do everything she can to get those shots @ Henry. She sports a half pony-tail "do" w/ a bright green scrungy & had a great "watermelon pink" gloss smile on today. She'll receive communion again tomorrow & hopes to walk more and raise the head of the bed less. And less. . . Lorane et al , ,
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Holy ThursDAY -following wildly busy night
As we begin Good Friday,
Apparently position - flat, hyperextended - Leenie had to be in during stomach tube placement caused much congestion and accompanying oxygen hunger during the night. Kath started to leave @ midnight, shortly after Phil & I left w/ Leenie looking/sounding fine, but could not b/c suddenly the congestion, air hunger went into hi gear. Leenie looked appropriately frightened & essentially fought Kath all night. She wanted to leave, & there was no changing her mind. We called Kath's cell @ 12:30 b/c we were worried but she said she was leaving in 15 minutes. Not. By 3:30, I was afraid to call & wake Kath or ?interrupt care. Kath got in @ 5:30 after Leenie FINALLY went to sleep. "Now Eileen, you can't get out of bed. You may fall. The rule is for you to stay in bed. I wouldn't lie to you." Leenie: "Yes, you would. " delivered w/ the coldest of shoulders. And so it went until her oxygen levels finally came up after LOTS of suctioning.
During the day, she was comfortable, compliant and had excellent oxygen levels with the help of the staff & big brother tending to getting those secretions out. Dr. Cross said chest x-ray shows new, lg. fluid accumulation in rt lung probably from aspirating food. She is on new IV antibiotics for that, started food/med feedings this evening through new tube & was sleeping w/ a smile after seeing Tim who drove down to surprise her around 11. She can't have radiation unless she can be flat b/c @ a raised angle, it would cause more damage to lungs & less to Henry. So, she will get stronger on tube feeds, move around more (loosen secretions) as she did today - walked w/ cane & rt arm sling from chair to bed and, hopefully, not have any lung crises & be able to be flat for 15 min in comfort for radiation, possibly as an out patient.
She knows it's in God's hands, is looking forward to Easter w/ the boys and will do everything she can to get those shots @ Henry. She sports a half pony-tail "do" w/ a bright green scrungy & had a great "watermelon pink" gloss smile on today. She'll receive communion again tomorrow & hopes to walk more and raise the head of the bed less. And less. . . Lorane et al ,
Apparently position - flat, hyperextended - Leenie had to be in during stomach tube placement caused much congestion and accompanying oxygen hunger during the night. Kath started to leave @ midnight, shortly after Phil & I left w/ Leenie looking/sounding fine, but could not b/c suddenly the congestion, air hunger went into hi gear. Leenie looked appropriately frightened & essentially fought Kath all night. She wanted to leave, & there was no changing her mind. We called Kath's cell @ 12:30 b/c we were worried but she said she was leaving in 15 minutes. Not. By 3:30, I was afraid to call & wake Kath or ?interrupt care. Kath got in @ 5:30 after Leenie FINALLY went to sleep. "Now Eileen, you can't get out of bed. You may fall. The rule is for you to stay in bed. I wouldn't lie to you." Leenie: "Yes, you would. " delivered w/ the coldest of shoulders. And so it went until her oxygen levels finally came up after LOTS of suctioning.
During the day, she was comfortable, compliant and had excellent oxygen levels with the help of the staff & big brother tending to getting those secretions out. Dr. Cross said chest x-ray shows new, lg. fluid accumulation in rt lung probably from aspirating food. She is on new IV antibiotics for that, started food/med feedings this evening through new tube & was sleeping w/ a smile after seeing Tim who drove down to surprise her around 11. She can't have radiation unless she can be flat b/c @ a raised angle, it would cause more damage to lungs & less to Henry. So, she will get stronger on tube feeds, move around more (loosen secretions) as she did today - walked w/ cane & rt arm sling from chair to bed and, hopefully, not have any lung crises & be able to be flat for 15 min in comfort for radiation, possibly as an out patient.
She knows it's in God's hands, is looking forward to Easter w/ the boys and will do everything she can to get those shots @ Henry. She sports a half pony-tail "do" w/ a bright green scrungy & had a great "watermelon pink" gloss smile on today. She'll receive communion again tomorrow & hopes to walk more and raise the head of the bed less. And less. . . Lorane et al ,
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - Happy B-Day Philip!!!
Hi,
Another busy day for Leenie. This morning, while practicing how to speak with the trach, she said "Happy Birthday Philip" quite clearly & sincerely, echoing all of our thoughts.
Then we moved into pre-op mode. Dr. Cross visited & ordered medication for today to minimize swelling. Dr. Marcie came in and explained what she would be doing again and why. Then she called Phil at work and got verbal consent and some additional suggestions from him. When it was almost time to go down to the OR suite, we received communion & read the Healing Prayer of the Immaculate Conception. Just about then, the team came and, having just been suctioned and down she went, and was met by the anesthetist, who recognized Phil's name because he had worked in the ER with him. She was in great hands. At 4:10, Kath & I began our vigil which was over in about 40 minutes. We met with the doctor, where Eileen lay sleeping & in no distress. The procedure was a complete success; she showed us the new, small tube coming out from Eileen's stomach waiting for the nutrition and meds which she can now have without any problems of aspiration into her lungs.
She has been resting in her chair, with cucumber slices under her eyes which have almost completely done away with the swelling from the mask. Madame has now been assisted by her siblings back to bed (I couldn't look, such were the carryings-on) and we are settling down after a day of great accomplishment .
I'll keep you posted so PLEASE don't call the room. Something is always going on. Sometimes it's even rest! Til tomorrow,
Lorane ,
Another busy day for Leenie. This morning, while practicing how to speak with the trach, she said "Happy Birthday Philip" quite clearly & sincerely, echoing all of our thoughts.
Then we moved into pre-op mode. Dr. Cross visited & ordered medication for today to minimize swelling. Dr. Marcie came in and explained what she would be doing again and why. Then she called Phil at work and got verbal consent and some additional suggestions from him. When it was almost time to go down to the OR suite, we received communion & read the Healing Prayer of the Immaculate Conception. Just about then, the team came and, having just been suctioned and down she went, and was met by the anesthetist, who recognized Phil's name because he had worked in the ER with him. She was in great hands. At 4:10, Kath & I began our vigil which was over in about 40 minutes. We met with the doctor, where Eileen lay sleeping & in no distress. The procedure was a complete success; she showed us the new, small tube coming out from Eileen's stomach waiting for the nutrition and meds which she can now have without any problems of aspiration into her lungs.
She has been resting in her chair, with cucumber slices under her eyes which have almost completely done away with the swelling from the mask. Madame has now been assisted by her siblings back to bed (I couldn't look, such were the carryings-on) and we are settling down after a day of great accomplishment .
I'll keep you posted so PLEASE don't call the room. Something is always going on. Sometimes it's even rest! Til tomorrow,
Lorane ,
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Tuesday, 04/07/09
Dear Friends,
Yesterday was a very busy one for Eileen. She just couldn't seem to stop moving - from the bed, to the chair, back to bed, up to commode chair and so on. Her lungs are clear but only because of routine suctioning. Her mind was clear as well. This even though she'd had a respiratory crisis in the middle of the night - probably a large mucous plug that was not suctioned out quickly enough and had pulled out her tracheostomy tube this morning. She has three choices at this juncture:
Transfer to ICU and ultimately be placed on a ventillator;
Continue to be treated with radiation and a feeding tube in her stomach so that she will not aspirate the food and medicines we give her. However, if, during this phase, there comes a time that she requires a ventilator or CPR, neither will be offered to her. These are her wishes;
The third choice is to stop therapy and be discharged on oxygen and Home Health Care Nursing visits every few days.
She choses to continue therapy & will have a tube placed in her stomach tomorrow to stop the aspiration of food and meds and give her some strength and will go down to radiation to be re-measured & marked so that treatments can be given with her sitting at a 45 degree angle. She plans to give Henry as many hard, painful shots of radiation as the Lord allows.
She has been flirting with the respiratory therapists, asking one and all for a cigarette and reading prayers to the Blessed Mother. So she is very much here. . . . Lorane ,
Yesterday was a very busy one for Eileen. She just couldn't seem to stop moving - from the bed, to the chair, back to bed, up to commode chair and so on. Her lungs are clear but only because of routine suctioning. Her mind was clear as well. This even though she'd had a respiratory crisis in the middle of the night - probably a large mucous plug that was not suctioned out quickly enough and had pulled out her tracheostomy tube this morning. She has three choices at this juncture:
Transfer to ICU and ultimately be placed on a ventillator;
Continue to be treated with radiation and a feeding tube in her stomach so that she will not aspirate the food and medicines we give her. However, if, during this phase, there comes a time that she requires a ventilator or CPR, neither will be offered to her. These are her wishes;
The third choice is to stop therapy and be discharged on oxygen and Home Health Care Nursing visits every few days.
She choses to continue therapy & will have a tube placed in her stomach tomorrow to stop the aspiration of food and meds and give her some strength and will go down to radiation to be re-measured & marked so that treatments can be given with her sitting at a 45 degree angle. She plans to give Henry as many hard, painful shots of radiation as the Lord allows.
She has been flirting with the respiratory therapists, asking one and all for a cigarette and reading prayers to the Blessed Mother. So she is very much here. . . . Lorane ,
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