Mom and Kay

Mom and Kay

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

'Wonder Woman' labored tirelessly to assist others

FORT WORTH -- After Robin Maness Thayer dressed as Wonder Woman for a party in the 1980s, the nickname stuck, and not only because she was 6 feet tall and had striking eyes and screen-siren hair.

Mrs. Thayer was a super hero because of her tireless energy on behalf of the community, family and friends said Monday.

"Hey, Wonder Woman, get out your magic rope" was among the messages on Mrs. Thayer's Facebook page after she learned last year that she had liver cancer.

"She just loved helping people, and she did it with so much joy," said professional golfer Angela Stanford, who coached Mrs. Thayer's daughter at Trinity Valley School.

Mrs. Thayer, 52, a member of the first TCU women's basketball team, died Sept. 20. Her funeral was Saturday.

She was born July 8, 1958, in Inglewood, Calif., to the late Robert and Margaret Maness. She graduated from Bedford Junior High School, L.D. Bell High School and Texas Christian University.

She met Mike Thayer, who is 6-foot-6, when he was playing with the Fort Worth Rugby Club. After two weeks of dating, the couple became engaged in 1983, although she had been dating another rugby player. "When you know, you know," he said.

It was typical, he said, for her to organize fundraisers for the needy. When their children attended Tanglewood Elementary School, for example, she organized a blood drive for a crossing guard with sickle-cell disease. That blood drive continues today, family and friends said.

Mrs. Thayer was a tireless band booster at Paschal High School and Trinity Valley School, and served on the board of the Angela Stanford Foundation.

One year for the city's Parade of Lights, she personally outfitted the entire Paschal band with purple Santa hats and decorative glow lights for each instrument.

"She was so generous with her time and with other people," said childhood friend Tracy Sterling Bristol. "She was gregarious and friendly. Even if you were meeting Robin for lunch, she'd never be alone. She always had with her an entourage of people."

Phyllis Kwedar, another friend, said Mrs. Thayer was a role model for her children. In letters, Kwedar's children, now in their late 20s, described Mrs. Thayer as "a woman who had been a rock" to them.

The Thayer family suggests memorial donations to the Angela Stanford Foundation, Box 1006, Fort Worth, TX 76114.

Other survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth Thayer; a son, Max Thayer; and a sister, Becky Oder.


Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/09/27/2499162/robin-maness-thayer-52-labored.html#ixzz10poRZNM7

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Flight 921

Robin passed peacefully Monday morning, September 20 at the exact time her Pop took off.

A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, September 25 at 3 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal in Fort Worth, followed by an informal gathering at one of her favorite places, Angelo's barbeque.

Her love and laughter will always be with us.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

A change bringing comfort and peace

Dear sweet friends and supporters,

This morning a scan revealed that the chemo has not been working. This afternoon, Robin was moved to a quiet, spacious room on the hospice floor of Baylor All-Saints. She is resting comfortably with the family nearby. She is receiving meds for pain management.

Because of the medication, she is sedated most of the time but has enjoyed some limited visitation, for which the family is very grateful. Please continue to keep Robin in your thoughts and prayers.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Back to ICU

Last week mom was moved down to ICU because of problems with low blood pressure. After a few days she was moved out thanks to a higher more stable b.p. and back to her recovery floor. She was actually neighbors, with an old friend Alex Williams. Mr. Williams was our security guard at the elementary school, Tanglewood, my brother and I attended. Mr. Williams is battling sickle cell. While at Tanglewood my mom started the annual blood drive, which still continues today, for Mr. Williams a man who we greatly love and cherish. It was so strange that they were both there together in the hospital at the same time. Today my mom will be moved back down to ICU. Her blood pressure has dropped again. She is extremely weak and unable to move from her bed. Since she is neutropenic (I think that's how it is spelled?) she is unable to have flowers or any fresh fruit. Right now jello is the only thing she will eat. Since she has to move and get readjusted to her new environment, visitors will be limited. She is so exhausted and goes in and out of sleep, so she is not really up for visitors. However, my aunt and I have been reading my mom the lovely cards that everyone has sent. It is definitely helping my mom and our spirits, so please keep them coming! We do not feel defeated at all, but we are trying to stay as strong as possible for mom. Stress and emotion has definitely been getting the best of us! We do apologize for not returning phone calls, texts, and emails, but there is just not enough time in the day! As the week goes on and we find out more information we will try to update you all. Thank you so much for you love and support!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Our Path to Fighting Cancer

Dear wonderful friends and family,

Your prayers and good wishes mean so much to us. Please know we are doing everything we can for my mom. There are many unknowns with cancer, and many paths and choices to be made as this unfortunate journey unfolds.

We have heard many kind suggestions for various doctors and treatment centers, but early on, it was my mother's wish to stay in Fort Worth to be close to home—and it is just not possible for her to travel even if she wished otherwise. We have complete confidence in the doctors we have chosen who are treating the very uncommon type of cancer my mom has. Dr Dewar and Dr Senter have been helpful with their guidance and we are so lucky to live where there are so many resources available to us, so close to home, and to you all. Dr. Dewar and Dr. Senter both have children who grew up with my brother and I. They both care very greatly for our families and if they knew that we should be somewhere else then they would say so and send us on. Of course we want to explore every possible avenue for my mom, so please try be understanding and respectful that we feel confident in the treatment plan and medical team she has chosen for her fight. Also, every patient is unique and some hospitals can treat some better than others, with the cancer that my mom has, she is in the right place for right now.Although I understand that people give their suggestions because of their concern and everything is said with the best intentions, but it is very disheartening when we continually receive messages that make us feel like we are not doing our best to find the best treatment for my mom. My mom is my hero, why would I not want the best for her? Please be respectful of this, I know we are all very stressed right now and very worried, however the less stress my family and I have the better.

There are no easy answers here, and a great deal of frustration as we all wait and see what to do next. We will try to keep everyone informed as we see how Robin's body reacts to the chemo. I have also heard wishes for me to be more specific of the treatment of my mother on the blog. However it seems that numbers and conditions change daily. As busy as I am, it is difficult enough to update once a week. Also, my mother gives me ideas of what she wants me to write on the blog. She does not want specifics written because she does not wish to cause any worry or additional stress. If my mother had it her way completely she would have loved to conceal the fact that she had cancer.


Keep praying -- we love you guys and treasure your support!

Go Frogs.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Chemo Round Two.

I apologize for the wait time in between posts! Last Monday mom had her second round of chemotherapy. Yesterday she had her check up with the oncologist who made the decision to admit her once again into the hospital. This is going to be pretty routine after every chemo therapy from now on. It provides the opportunity to regain an immune system, get her numbers back up, and try to keep her rested so she can gain her strength back. Last night was her first night in the hospital since the second round, however today she is doing much better since the two transfusions she had last night. Her labs were looking pretty good today and we are thinking that she will not have to be in the hospital as long as she did the last time (which was about 10 days). Hopefully this time it will just be a few days to get her numbers back up and strength to return home. Visitors are to be limited for the first few days just as a precaution from illness and also to try to keep her rested, she is very weak right now and needs as much peace and quiet as possible. We cannot thank everyone enough for the gift cards that were dropped off the past few weeks. So far those have worked out great and it is nice for mom to have so many choices! Thank you so much! As we continue to battle with this cancer we feel so thankful to have such wonderful people in our lives who constantly support and pray for us. We are so lucky.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Meals

After about a week at home mom has been doing well. Now that she is able to sleep in her own bed she is getting a bit more rest. We are very thankful that so many have reached out and offered to bring us meals. However mom is very sensitive to some smells and it can definitely ruin her appetite so our good friend Kelly Foster came up with the wonderful idea of gift cards! It would be great if mom could have a few choices to decide where she would like food from. If you would like to bring by a small gift card rather than a meal it would definitely help us out a lot! Here are a few restaurants that my mother so far has enjoyed food from: Charlestons, Szechuan, Central Market, Yogis, Jason's Deli, Smoothie King (they make a smoothie especially for cancer patients called "The Hulk"), and prayers would help also!