Felt I needed to drop a line. Thank You to all for the support we have received these last few months. Yes Lisa, the Tree is doing wonderful. I know Tracy is watching us as Mom has had nothing but front row parking in all her shopping this season.
Just wanted to leave something for all. This is a poem Tracy found for her Mom shortly after she passed in Nov. Only fitting I pass it on.
It is called "My First Christmas in Heaven"

I see the countless Chistmas trees around the world below,
with tiny lights, like Heavens star's
reflecting in the snow.
The sight is spectacular, please wipe away the tear,
for I am spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,
but the sounds of music can't compare
with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,
for it's beyond description, to hear the Angels sing.

I know how much you miss me,
I see the pain inside your heart.
But I am not so far away, we really aren't apart.
So be happy for me dear ones,
you know I hold you dear, & be glad I'm spending Christmas,
with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift,
from my heavenly home above,
I sent you each a memory of my undying love.

After all, love is a gift more precious than gold.
What's always more important, are the stories Jesus told.
Please Love & keep each other,my Father said to do,
I can't count the Blessings or love
He has for each of you.

So have a Merry Chistmas, & wipe away the tear.
Remember, I am spending Christmas,
with Jesus Christ this year.

Wow, it's been 3 months today. Seems like so long ago & yet like yesterday. How does that work? I know I miss everything about her like mad. It sure is not the same around here or anywhere.
Any way, at the request of Rhonda, we are going to plant a Memorial Tree so we can watch it grow. I have purchased a tree & will be planting it this weekend, Sunday the 14th at my house. All who would like to attend are welcome. It will be arond noon. We will try to have some food, if you would like a drink or two, I'm certainly not opposed to it, it's part of a well balanced meal. Ha Ha. BYOB
But, doing ok, boys are fine. Have to get up every day because that blasted Sun just keeps rising, every single day. Damn.
Hope everyone is doing well & are having blessed days.
Please come to the planting.
Thank You all & God Bless.
RTCD

OK


Thank you all for responding to the blog. It has been a long road. Yesterday was, well yesterday. Not great , but finished OK. I have been reading seveal books to get me, us through & they have really helped. I encourage you all to read them as they have helped me alot. The first is called " I'm grieving as fast as I can" by Linda Feinberg. It was basically written for young widow/ widowers. wierd to think of that word. single doesn't work either. The other book is called "The purpose driven life" Wow. Please find these & try to read. They will help. I promise. I am much better today, seems like a different place. Have my moments still everyday, but they are ok. some come from a song, some from a comment through normal conversation, they talk about wives & relationships. EEEK.

But I'm OK.

Please call me if you need to talk & please get the books.
The boys are doing just fine. Corey is starting a new job next week & Dillon is doing very weel in band. They are giving him some responsibilty to lead. He's excited.
Love to all.
Ronnie

OK, A long time has gone by. Don't know what to say. Had my first counseling session tonight. Odd. Doing everything I'm supposed to be doing except for spontaneously crying with all of you. Just feel like I need to be stronger than you when you come to see me. That to will change in the coming months. Set up a group session for just us, so whoever wants to come, they are welcome. It is next Wed. at 6:00 pm. in Sun City. Call me & let me know if you want to come. Should be good for all of us. (Corey's coming) Can't give enough thanks to Rhonda & Dana for being so close to me right now. Sanity has a real thin line. Depression has a big fat line though. Sucks. Can't say FUCK MAN loud enough. Suppose you all knowby now Tracy didn''t die. She was killed. That damn thing took my wife.

Just another day. Kids are doing OK. Dillon had his first couple of days at band camp. He is so excited to start school. That too can be a distraction. Corey is finding friends to help. Tring to stay busy working. I had to miss another day of work. Not sure why. What a question. Did find someone for counseling. Will try to set something soon. Can't wait to see you Dana. It's been great to have Rhonda so close. I think she's keeping me sane right now. Lisa, Love you chick. don't stop writing yet. KK, hurry.

I am afraid.

Hey all.
Tried to find a picture to put up but nothing fit the mood. Plugging along. Boys seem to be doing OK. Trying to find their way. School will be tough for Dillon. She loved that he did so well. He'll miss that. Corey's trying to find his way in the real world with a job. Not so easy without a plan.
Just had a phone call from my "girlfriend". Might try to see her this weekend. Last weekend was good for my soul. We cried, drank, cried, drank, laughed, cried. Pretty much in that order. She has a wonderful place in Long Beach. I miss her.
Not avoiding the music anymore. I like it when it makes me cry. Hurts though. Phuq Man. Man.
Hard to find the words to make everyone feel better, cause I don't. People keep asking, " How you doin" LOUSY. It's easier for them to swallow than "I feel like shit that's been run over by a tanker then washed down the drain" sorry.
Back to work.
Love to all.
Thanks for the prayers!!!

It is difficult to keep up this blog, but I will try as it is helpful to read your comments. And yes, she is so beautiful & she is watching over us. She thanked God every day for the life she had. I am trying.

She is so beautiful.

That's all I know.

I miss you too much to express.

I miss your touch, I miss your face. I miss your hair you hated that's in all my clothes. I miss you. I miss you. I LOVE YOU.

In loving memory of Tracy Slater

Services will be held 11am Wednesday July 18th at the Wildomar Cemetery.

Flowers can be sent to:

Wildomar Cemetery

21400 Palomar St.

Wildomar, CA 92595

(951) 678-2451

or to the Slater home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tracy Slater Washington Mutual Fund Account #492-0295460.

Message phone: (951) 688-7243 (PAGE)

Please don't miss the Vegas Night, Saturday July 21st at 5pm.

Proceeds will support the Slater Family.

Hello Everyone,
Tracy came home on Tuesday July 10 and spent time with her family & loved ones. She later passed on Wednesday July 11. Will announce date & time of services in the next few days.
You can call to the following number for info 951-688-PAGE (7243)
Thank you
The Family

Hi Everyone,
This is Tracy's sister-in-law Marianne. I was asked to update the blog. On Wednesday her skin was hurting and in alot of pain. Thursday Doc gave her a pain patch. Friday the 29th Tracy was not feeling good again. She had a Dr. appt but Mom and Ronnie went. They told them that she now has 9 tumors on her brain. Saturday was not a good day. Early Sunday morning (July 1) her skin was on fire and could not take it no more. Ronnie took her to the hospital, she was dehydrated! Came home late on Sunday, felt better on Monday, as the day went on feeling new pain in her abdomen and still having difficulty swallowing. Ronnie called Dr. Monday afternoon to discuss the situation. Needs more fluid in take to keep hydrated, still suffering with pain. Tuesday drinking more liquids, trying to keep ahead of her pain! Early morning on 4th of July and ambulance took her to the hospital. Pain was to much to handle. Thursday was a great day, up all day visited with everyone. Dr Sehgel (her favorite Doctor)and a pain doctor came in to check on her. Short while later she had a seizure. Since than things have slowly declined. Now feeling comfortable with less pain and coming home soon. Please no calls, leave messages on 951-688-7243(PAGE) for more info when she'll be home to make visits.

Hello everybody,
Sorry again for the lapse in staying in touch. Has taken a while to get the pain under control. Dr. got mad at me for not keeping up on that as it makes it harder to fight. But the last two days have been fairly pain free, so I feel better, just waitin' to poop! Ha Ha!

Just want to thanks everyone for coming to the last Cut-a-thon. Especially to my crew for being there & doing such a great job. It was a great success for us. The next one is on July 8th, 9 to 1.
That is a Sunday & we are typically not open on Sundays, so come down if you can. We really appreciate the support.

For all who would like to attend, Marianne is holding a Vegas Night Poker party @ her house. $25.00 buy-in, or a company can sponsor a table for $65.00 & that includes the buy-in, table placard & coupons for drinks & things. They can also sponsor a gift or product for auction. Should be great fun.

Had some more tests this morning & will do another MRI of my head on Mon. The Neurosurgeon is suggesting a procedure called Gama Knife radiation. It pin points radiation right on the tumors in the brain. Will have to see the Radiation Therapy Dr. next Fri. to get the two Dr.'s to consult about it. That's the only other procedure so far that can be done for the brain. No more "Whole Brain" radiation, ever, ever, ever. F'n ever. We'll know more about some of the other things this next week.

Again want to thank everyone who has been there for me, writing letters & commenting on the Blog. Lisa, YOU ROCK CHICK.

Bye for now, Love & thanks.
Tracy

Cut-a-Thon date change.
Sun. June 10th
Sun. July 8th
9 AM to 1 PM
Thanks

Hey everybody,
Saw the oncologist last Thur. & had pretty good news. The cancer count is down. All the blood work looks good too. Started on the Decadron again. Sorry I haven't responded to all the cards as of late, had a down couple of weeks. Trying to get to them now so look for them. There will be a "CUT-A-THON" at the shop this Sunday & next Sunday 9 to 1 so if your haircut can wait, it would make it worth while for those that are working that day. Thank you for the support.
Corey graduates next week. He's so excited.
Please keep up the prayers.
Tracy

Hi everybody, finally did some art work on my head. Dillon wanted to do a sunflower. Looks great. It felt really wierd. Have to do one more week of radiation on my arm pit. Not looking forward to that, but gotta do it. Will find out mon. what the Neurosurgeon has to say. Saw him Fri. but he needed another set of films to make a decision. My new chemo is going ok, just very tired. Tom is in town & wants to go to the swap meet tomorrow, so they are going to rent a wheel chair for me. Pathetic. It should be fun. Hope you enjoy the art, talk to you soon. Tracy

Hey everybody,
Back in the groove again. First day of my new chemo was deadly. I asked "Are they trying to kill me!" Dad said, no, their trying to save you. But, I feel better now. Just had to figure out how & when to take the new meds. Have been making lots of bracelets in my spare time. Seems like that's my new therapy. Makes the days move along. Keeps my mind off of the daily CRAP.
Oh yeah, Corey graduates next month. I made it! That was my first short term goal. So please come by if you can to his Grad. Party on Sat. 6/16 Around 2 pm. He would appreciate it. My new Radiation is going well. Might have to go another week. Will see the cranial doc this Fri. to see if he wants to work on my head. We'll see.
Gotta go.
Please write back.
Thanks for the prayers. Don't stop.
Tracy

Hey gang. Sorry we haven't posted in a while. Last Chemo whupped my butt. Well good news & not so good. All the tumors I did have, shrunk! Yee haaw. Somehow I acquired a few more. One more in the lung, one more in my head (lots of space there ha ha), one in the the Adrenal Gland & one in my Kidney. Damn. So now we are off the chemo drip & going to a pill. A $120.00/pill, pill. Damn again. But have heard good things about it & there is almost no side affects, except I can't be on the Decadron, which keeps me up, up, up, if you know what I mean. Thank You so much for all the Mail you send, & all the comments on the blog. It really keeps me occupied. I love writing back. To date I have mailed 88 Thank You cards. Don't forget, Marianne is having a Fund Raiser Poker Party @ her place real soon. Thanks for all the prayers. Tracy. :) :) xoxoxoxo

My weekend with the sistas.

Well, today is my half way point in the chemo. All of my blood counts are really good & the cancer count is almost half what it was in Feb. So prayer really does work. Thank you all. Please don't stop. My sister is coming into town this week so I will have some pictures to post.
Still feel great most of the time.
Thanks for all the love & support.
Tracy

Raelee, I do know who you are, you're mommy. Thank you so much for the thoughts & prayers. I'll be back to work soon.

Lisa, I keep meaning to get by, but the days get busy, just being at home, wierd. Thanks so much for writing. I love that. I feel great. Rock-on sista.

Bierle Family, you guys are great. dinner was wonderful & the cookies, whoa. (must have recipe)
Thanks so much. See you wed. (I hope)

Paulsens, yes our hairdos are cool. Sometimes to cool, I'm cold & daddy needs a tan. Easter was good & we are staying as strong as we can. Chemo starts again next Mon. Uh boy.

No head art this week. Its still too tender. Maybe next week. Thanks everyone. The Slaters.

Just a quick note, to leave a comment, click on the comment bar, then you will need to have a "google account" click on "sign in here". Provide a username & password, it is FREE, (George Myers). So please feel FREE to leave comments. It truly does help.
Thanks

Thank You to someone who sent the beautiful roses today. Just wish they would have left a name so I could thank them. They are very nice.
Hey Ash, the boys will do some art work on my head this weekend, so look for the pics. Everybody here is on antibiotics, & we will have to change insurance soon to a company group. Any advice?
Thanks again & Love to all.
Slaters

My favorite hat.

Easter was great. Easter came to us with all the fixins. It was wonderfull having the family here, we had a lot of fun. Thank You so much to our family, you've all been so supportive. Just keep the Prayers coming. Thanks to all our friends as well, we couldn't do it without all your help & Prayers.
Love , The Slaters

Here is a new picture of me & the greatest sister-in-law in the world. After she took me to therapy, we spent the whole day together. Then she made us a great dinner. That's my chemo blanket in the background, cool huh. The whole family is coming here for Easter Sunday & we're real happy about that. Finished my first two days of therapy & I feel great, a little puffy from all the fluid they pump in, but still great.

Thanks for all the Prayers & Love,

Ronnie, Tracy, Corey & Dillon

Well, here are some new pictures. we've all acquired a new doo. Except for Dillon, he is still growing his for the cancer foundation "Locks of Love". I think we all look pretty good! Mamas hair finnally met it's match on Tueday evening so we buzzed it to a #4. Then Sunday morning was the last of it. We all buzzed our heads to nothing, then Corey & I shaved them slick bald. Makes her feel better. So try to keep up & please keep sending the Prayers. Chemo starts on Tues, the 3rd.

Update

Well, it's Tuesday. Yesterday was the last radiation treatment on my brain. They gave me a certificate, so I had a Radiation Graduation! Today though it seems as the hair is finally going to fall out. Should be bald by the weekend. Be careful what you wish for. (My next life I wanted to be a 6' tall bald guy. Ha Ha.) I still feel ok, a little nervous about being slick bald. A small price to pay. Chemo starts in one week. Had to pick up six prescriptions today just for during chemo. Hew. Feel like a pharmacy.
Thanks again for sending all the cards & prayers. I really love them.
Till next time.
Tracy, Ronnie, Corey & Dillon

Updates

I am doing just fine today. Feel great & still have all my hair. The last Radiation treatment for the Brain will be on Mon. the 26th. The Chemo starts on April 3rd, my Mom's B-Day. How ironic. Thank You so much to everyone for the cards & the Prayers. We have been so blessed to have such overwelming support.
To all my customers, Thank You for continuing to visit Stew's, I will be back to work as soon as possible, I miss you all.
Please keep the Prayers a comin.
Please reply if you have the time as we would love to here from all of our supporters, positive thinking & friends mean everything.

We LOVE you with all of our Hearts!

This space was created for Tracy Slater, my sister in-law. This is to help you and us with all that is going on. It will be updated by Tracy, family, & friends. We ask that you share with us by using this blog.
Thank You
Marianne Page