Monday, January 26, 2009


Phyllis Jayme Chaplin passed away this evening peacefully. She was a wonderful woman who put up a long, hard fight against Hepatitis C and the resulting liver failure. She will be remembered by all those who knew her as a selfless woman who loved to serve those around her. She got her master's degree in counseling (graduating at the top of her class) and it was her passion. Her favorite job was helping at-risk teenage girls get into college. She had plans of counseling at local elementary schools if she were to recover. She loved her children fiercely and was a wonderful Grandmother. I could go on; there was so much more to her life. She had beautiful blue eyes-all of her nurses mentioned them. I am lucky to have that little reminder of her when I look into my kids eyes. She will be sorely missed by everyone, but we are comforted by the knowledge that we will see her again and that she is now free from the pain and suffering that she endured so well this past year.
She went to college at Ricks in Idaho and loved it there. Hiking the Tetons was one of her favorite memories. She will be going back to Rexburg to be buried. She has family there, and it was her wish to be buried there. Funeral arrangement are being made. If you need information, contact us.
Thank you to everyone who loved her, visited her, worried about her, or prayed for her. She was loved and I think that she knew that. As her family, we have been touched by all of you.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Jayme is declining rapidly. When Mike went to see her on Wednesday she wasn't responsive at all and the nurses said that they couldn't get her to eat anything. Mike did get her to eat some ice cream, but just a little bit. The hospice nurse called last night to let Mike know that things were getting worse and to let him know that they would be giving her morphine if things got any worse. They called back this morning to let Mike know that they would be giving her morphine today. I haven't been able to get out to see her with Carter's broken leg, but Mike says that this is the worst he has ever seen her. She has lost weight and is shaky. It really looks like she could go any time now. Right now we are just praying for a peaceful passing. Thank you everyone for your love, support and help through everything that Jayme has gone through. I know it means a lot to her, and it means a lot to us as well. I will keep you posted!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

I haven't posted for a while because there hasn't been much to post about. Considering that Jayme hasn't been on any meds since Thanksgiving and hasn't been eating or drinking much, she has done surprisingly well. She is still in the nursing home. We all decided that would be best for everyone. She has been tired, but fairly stable. Just this week we have started to see some decline, however. She is getting more confused and it is harder for her to stay awake for more than a few minutes at a time. The other day she did complain about some pain for the first time and was given some medicine for it. Otherwise she seems ok. We always ask if she needs anything and she says no. We visit as often as possible, and she seems to enjoy that. I am sorry that she isn't able to talk to you on the phone, but it seems to take too much energy for her. I am sure that she knows of all your love and prayers and she is in good hands. If any of you have any messages you would like me to pass on, I would be more than happy to do so. You can leave a comment here, or leave a message on her phone. I will make sure she gets it.