Donation Information

Many people have asked for this information, although it is in another post I thought it would be easier for everyone to find if I titled the post differently so it would be easy to find. I really appreciate everyones help and support during this time. I am blessed to have such amazing people in my life. I can not begin to thank you enough!

Donation to Nation Institute of Health

To make a donation to NIH, send checks payable to the National Cancer Institute, attn: The Director, The National Cancer Institute, Building 31, Room 11A-16, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892; a donation letter should be sent indicating that the donation is to be used for research at NCI.  

NIH Donation Website

Donation for Baby Bruce

To make a donation for Jon's daughter, send checks payable to First Financial Credit Union, attn: Gabriele Black, 1215 York Road, Lutherville, MD 21093; please include a note on the memo line that the donation is part of the "Benefit for Anneliese Bruce."

First Financial Credit Union

Donation for Dove House

We really appreciate everything the Dove House did for Jon as well as our family and friends. I am excited to participate in this wonderful holiday event in Jon's honor. I have included information below if anyone else is interested. 

Carroll Hospice's Memorial Tree & Pet Tree

Monday, December 5 | 7 p.m.

Carroll Hospice Dove House

Click here to purchase your ornament online. 
In support of Carroll Hospice, you may honor a loved one this holiday season by purchasing an ornament that will be inscribed with his or her name and placed on the Memorial Tree. Special ornaments for our Pet Tree may be purchased as well. Ornaments are $10 each; Dove ornaments are $25 each.

Please note: Ornaments may be picked up beginning Wednesday, December 7 at: Carroll Hospice, 292 Stoner Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157. All ornaments must be picked up no later than January 6, 2012.

2011 Memorial Tree Ceremony

We really appreciate everything the Dove House did for Jon as well as our family and friends. I am excited to participate in this wonderful holiday event in Jon's honor. I have included information below if anyone else is interested. 

Carroll Hospice's Memorial Tree & Pet Tree

Monday, December 5 | 7 p.m.

Carroll Hospice Dove House

Click here to purchase your ornament online. 

In support of Carroll Hospice, you may honor a loved one this holiday season by purchasing an ornament that will be inscribed with his or her name and placed on the Memorial Tree. Special ornaments for our Pet Tree may be purchased as well. Ornaments are $10 each; Dove ornaments are $25 each.

Please note: Ornaments may be picked up beginning Wednesday, December 7 at: Carroll Hospice, 292 Stoner Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157. All ornaments must be picked up no later than January 6, 2012.

November 20, 2011

Dr. Miller met with us Wednesday afternoon to let us know the CT scan did not reveal good news. Although the Zelboraf had slowed the growth of Jon's tumors enough to give us a few extra months together, it had not been able to keep up with the tumor growth.  The extent of Jon's tumors was such that they were no longer treatable.  The doctors had tried everything, and they suggested that we make Jon as comfortable as possible for the time that he had left. On Saturday, we moved Jon to the Dove House in Westminster, a lovely inpatient hospice care facility.  It was truly wonderful there. We were allowed to bring our cat Fisher, and I was able to stay with Jon around the clock. We were in a much bigger room, and the nurses managed his comfort level wonderfully!  It made everything so much easier on all of us.  Jon was comfortable, and I was able to spend special time with him as his wife knowing that extra support was just outside of the door if I needed it.

Once we were settled in the Dove House, they made Jon comfortable, and he rested peacefully. We had amazing support from our family and close friends who were there with us on both Saturday and Sunday. Jon continued his fight through Sunday night and passed away peacefully Monday morning at 4:17 am with his family by his side.

I am doing as well as can be expected during this difficult time. I am doing my best to take care of myself and the baby--just like Jon wanted me to do all along. We have an amazing support system taking great care of us :)

A memorial service for Jon will be held on Saturday, November 26, at Chaplegate Presbyterian Church in Marriottsville, MD at 11:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jon's name to the National Cancer Institute, a component of the National Institute of Health or to an Educational Fund to be used for the benefit of Jon's expected daughter.

To make a donation to NIH, send checks payable to the National Cancer Institute, attn: The Director, The National Cancer Institute, Building 31, Room 11A-16, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892; a donation letter should be sent indicating that the donation is to be used for research at NCI.  To make a donation for Jon's daughter, send checks payable to First Financial Credit Union, attn: Gabriele Black, 1215 York Road, Lutherville, MD 21093; please include a note on the memo line that the donation is part of the "Benefit for Anneliese Bruce."

NIH Donation Website

November 17, 2012

After talking to Jon yesterday Dr. Miller decided to do a CT scan instead of an MRI because it is easier for Jon. She believed she can get what she needs from a CT scan and if not they will do an MRI.

They took him for the scan when I got here this morning, he received extra meds to make him comfortable during the scan. I will post again once we find something out.

November 16, 2012

We brought Jon to the hospital this morning. The vomiting has been happening more and he was dehydrated and dizzy. They are going to do an MRI today or tomorrow. They gave us the option to either stay here and wait for the MRI or go home and come back. We have decided to stay and keep Jon comfy and less transporting.

November 8, 2011

Jon is continuing his fight, he has had some really good days since his last check up October 28th. He did get sick as soon as we got home from the hospital that day but he didn't get sick again for an entire week! That week he was able to brainstorm and consider different foods. We read through a book the nutritionist gave use that helped figure out foods that were easy to digest and compared those with foods that were listed on different websites as cancer fighting foods. He made a list of foods that he was interested in and sent me to the store! That night he ate a WHOLE ham sandwich on white bread with the crust removed (white is easier to digest than wheat) with hummus. Once he finished his sandwich he snacked on pretzels and hummus. Later that night he had some sherbet for dessert! That was a very rare night, he doesn't eat that much on a regular basis. However he has been able to eat a little better variety of foods. Some of which include: avocados with a little salt and ranch, (after Pastor Mike shared how he ate avocados) guacamole with pretzels, hummus with pretzels, poached eggs and tonight had some of an egg burrito. This sounds like he is really eating a lot but remember on most nights he still only eats small portions.

Yesterday and today were a little rough, the tumor fevers returned and made him very uncomfortable and have trouble sleeping. He slept pretty good for a few hours this afternoon and into the evening, and woke up feeling a little better. I sat with him when he woke up and watched a little TV to keep him company, while sitting there Baby Bruce decided to start kicking/moving and Jon was able to feel her for the first time! He was very excited and worried he was pushing on my stomach too hard. He wasn't pushing nearly as hard as they do when they did the sonogram. Today ended a lot better than it began :)

"Baby Bruce" update
We have picked a nursery color, and bought paint thank you Dulaney High School for the Home Depot gift card!! We are also about 95% set on a name for our little girl. However we are keeping it "Top Secret" till she arrives. Sorry! I want to share it but I want it to be a surprise too :) She continues to get bigger and more noticeable. She was extremely active Sunday night when I went to bed, I don't want to admit this but it was almost like she was doing a celebration dance for the Raven's big win (I am a Redskins fan). She is about 1lb. and the size of a spaghetti squash according to one of my apps ;)

We continue to take each day as it comes and be thankful for the small things that make the day a little better.