Trying to understand and spending time with friends - Living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Its been a very emotional last few months. Watching my stepfather die right before my eyes was about the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I was the one that found him after he passed. My emotions have betrayed me. I am not sure why. I usually can control my emotions but I have been a emotional roller coaster for over a week.

He entered my life  the first time when I was in the second grade. He was my moms date. He dropped out of sight for a few years and then mom and him married when I was in the 5th grade . I am going to be 54yrs old next month. That is a long time to have someone in your life.

I got all my siblings home to see him before he passed away. He did want to see all of us before he died. It was one of his last requests.

So, as I write this update I have a shed a few tears thinking about not hearing his crazy laugh or hearing one of his stories any more.

The good news is we are going to Minnesota on Wed for the FSMA conference. Its just Christen, Lizzy and me. Caitlyn wants to go badly but I am not sure if she can go. We shall see. Packing lunches for the trip and taking a lot of food from home . Spending time with friends is what we are so looking forward to!! Lizzy is so excited she can barely sleep!!!

Please add us to your prayers to have a safe trip there and home!

"We believe in miracles because we live with one!"
www.our-sma-angels.com/elizabeth

Losing some one- Living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy

My stepfather passed way this past weekend. I was with him until his last dying breath.
I have never experienced HOSPICE ever. I have to say watching a person you have known get weaker week after week took a toll on all us. I was the one that found him and had to tell my mom. She had been staying at their home since last week. I am glad we had him do his own funeral arrangements.
I do not think I will ever choose HOSPICE route for me or any of our family. Its was too hard watching him suffer even though he was medicated. Something,  I will never forget.


PONTIAC — Milford Noel, 78, of Pontiac, died on Sunday (June 10, 2012) at 12:55 a.m. at his residence.

His funeral will be on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at  Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Pontiac, with the Rev. Stephanie Soon, the OSF Hospice chaplin, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Pontiac. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until the hour of the service Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Milford’s name may be left to OSF Hospice or Fighting for Lizzy c/o First Financial Bank in Pontiac.

Milford was born Jan. 20, 1934, in Cass County, a son of McKinley and Letta Lowe Noel. He married Janet McCoy Reed on Oct. 7, 1968, in Pontiac.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Noel, Pontiac; five children, Milinda “Mindy” (Kevin) Noel Flick, Dry Ridge, Ky.; Timothy Reed, Lomax; Rory (Carlene) Reed, Kuwait; Jeanna (Paul) Reed Huette, Pontiac; and Rita (Jim) Reed Hoch, Safety Harbor, Fla.; thirteen grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; three brothers, Harlan Noel, Chandlerville; and Terry Noel and Jerry Noel, both of Pontiac; and four sisters, Sylvia Cox, Virginia; Esther Reed, Springfield; Mildred Painter, Havana; and Betty Waterfield, Chandlerville.

He was preceded in death by one son, Wayne Noel in 1986; and four brothers.

Mr. Noel graduated from high school in Ashland. He served our country in the U.S. Navy from 1953 until 1963 during the Korean War, serving on the USS Halsey Powell Destroyer, the USS Francis Marion Destroyer and the USS Klondike Destroyer. He had worked at the Pontiac Chair Factory and Interlake. He worked for the state of Illinois as a prison guard at Pontiac Correctional Center for 26 years, retiring in 1989.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pontiac and a member of the Former Moose Lodge in Pontiac. Milford never met a stranger. He enjoyed gardening and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, Milford’s family was his greatest love.

This obituary may be viewed and private condolences left at www.calvertmartinmemorial.com