So Much to Love about PapAmore, Odee Lenderink

1. Arend Richard Lenderink is his "official/legal" name.
2. He was the oldest of nine.
3. His father's name was also Arend and he too always went instead by Odee
4. He's pretty much completely Dutch.
5. He spoke Pig Latin
6. He performed all of the "stay-at-home-parent" duties for his first 5 girls while always working full time outside of the home.
7. He often left the wrapper around the cheese in their sandwiches, just to "make sure they were paying attention"
8. He ADORED his Father
9. He lived and told the BEST STORIES EVER
10. He had the MOST AMAZING voice, EVER
11. He was REALLY silly
12. He gave the BEST Bear Hugs
13. He was never afraid, that I (Sara) know of anyway
14. He patiently listened and heard each word
15. He made bad things better
16. He loved to paint and all of our houses have been gifted by his meticulous detail of painter perfection
17. He never preached, told stories instead to instruct and guide his children
18. Jesus was his VERY best friend
19. He never got over being COMPLETELY SMITTEN with Wanda Lenderink
20. Once he laid eyes on Wandi, he never looked at any other woman ever again
21. He was school board President when I (Sara, youngest) graduated and gave me my diploma
22. He adored the mountains
23. He loved the Great Lakes
24. He loved to go for long walks
25. He was our "safe haven"
26. He called his little ones Pizon
27. He never raised his voice in anger
28. He had the most booming, commanding voice that ever was
29. All of my (Sara) friends adored him and were terrified of him, simultaneously, at the same time
30. Although he wasn't a "crier" he often became choked up, especially out of pride in his family
31. The most important thing to him, was to know that his family would be in heaven with him someday
32. He had an irreverent sense of humor, but only in the most Christ-like way
33. He cold turkey quit smoking the moment he met my Mother, Wanda Lenderink
34. He was the most productive man to ever walk upon the face of this planet
35. His yard is far and beyond a Landscape Masterpiece
36. He played with, giggled with, cried with, worked with, traveled with, rode with, skipped with, colored with, wished with, hoped with, got in "trouble" with, swam with, sang with, prayed with and read with his Grandchildren
37. He fervently wished and prayed for "just one more week in Florida" with his beloved wife/best friend
38. He didn't want to "go" yet
39. He made us promise to keep on living if he did
40. He told each one of us that he would always be in our hearts...and he is...
41. He always had hope, up until his very last breathe
42. He is in Glory now
43. Because of him, we now long for Heaven, even more
44. His Bible is very worn and well read
45. Whatever he said, he meant

Heartwarming PapAmore Post Comment, Thank-You Anna

Sara, I don't know you but I feel as though I knew your "Papamore". First I would like to say that I am deeply sorry for your loss of what appeared to be an awesome man who you loved with your whole being and second I wanted to leave you a message so long ago, but thought you may think it's a bit weird how I stumbled upon your life. I was following another carepage months ago, and being that I am from Grand Haven, I typed "Grand Haven" in the search to make sure that there was no one in my home town that needed support. And that is when I found your daddy. I followed his journey with every update. I prayed to God for this man and his family...people that I didn't even know but came to know through his carepages, that were wonderfully written by your mother. I looked forward to updates with the hopes that this terrible monster would leave him be. Then, the update came that he was not doing well, I felt terribly. I felt as though I was losing someone that I cared about. I cried tears for the loss of this wonderful man. So anyway, I don't know where I am going with this but I wanted to tell you how awfully sorry I am for your loss. And I also wanted to let you know that not only has he touched the life of people who were close to him, but he has touched the life of complete strangers as well. I continue to read your blog and feel so bad for the pain that you endear daily. My daddy is 66 years old and I dread the day that I must lose him. Please know that I think and pray for you often. Take care and please continue to write on this amazing page dedicated to a wonderful man, that I never knew. Anna

January 17, 2009 1:44 PM

Please Help Make A Positive Change...For Everyone...For PapAmore...

EVERYONE should be Privy to certain Information, regardless of Internet Access and Skills, Physician Communication Ability, Current Ability to Absorb and/or Hear the Information at that moment, etc.

Is it really okay for ANYONE to tell another human being that due to lack of Medical Options that their life is over and THEN to send them out the door without sharing with them VITAL RESOURCES regarding AVAILABLE?!

Without googling Palliative Care and contacting them on our own, my Dad would not even have had a pain relief prescription, he was dying from AML without even a prescription for relief from the intense pain.

Please Help Make A Positive Change...For PapAmore...

For PapAmore...Are You Familiar With Palliative Care?

For PapAmore...Are You Familiar With Palliative Care?

I want to make a difference for my Dad...

EVERYONE should be Privy to certain Information, regardless of Internet Access and Skills, Physician Communication Ability, Current Ability to Absorb and/or Hear the Information at that moment, etc.

Is it really okay for ANYONE to tell another human being that due to lack of Medical Options that their life is over and THEN to send them out the door without sharing with them VITAL RESOURCES regarding AVAILABLE?!

Without googling Palliative Care and contacting them on our own, my Dad would not even have had a pain relief prescription, he was dying from AML without even a prescription for relief from the intense pain.

I can't change the whole world, but when I have seen my Hero tragically inflicted by the cruel, senseless lack of what should be a required (seemingly, sharing hospice and palliative care resources is currently not mandatory, or so we have been led to believe) distribution of a simple brochure entailing information...that is something easily remedied, imo...

The goal of palliative care is to prevent and relieve suffering and to ensure the best quality of life for patients with serious illness. It is offered simultaneously with all other appropriate medical treatment.

Letter sent out, Please Copy/Paste, Thank-You!

All that my Dad, Arend 'Odee' Lenderink , was told by his Oncologist was that medically he had no more options, he was was then sent on his way with no resources and never informed of Palliative Care, not verbally, not via print materials, no information shared in any form nor matter... http://papamore.blogspot.com/2009/01/for-papamoreare-you-familiar-with.html  

The only way that we found out about Palliative Care was through my extensive (and desperate) googling...thus on the internet I discovered Palliative Care, I immediately called the closest Palliative Care facility (St. Mary's Lacks Cancer Center) and they were wonderful, we literally cried tears of relief and comfort as they even set up a house visit at my parent's home the very next morning. (I discovered Palliative Care online 5 days before my Dad died from AML)

They were also the ones to bravely share that contrary to my Father's oncologist (Dr. Amy C. Vanderwoude) 2nd opinions are a good thing, a thing called clinical trials exist, Palliative Care is available, pain medication can be prescribed, introduced us to Hydrea, informed us that my "no options" Father was the healthiest AML patient that they had ever seen, that Hospice is another option, etc.  

In an attempt to put a positive spin on this, I would like to (if it is already a policy, all the better, I would so appreciate knowing either way please) somehow help however I might be able towards requiring that oncologist's share Palliative Care information and resources in written form...  

Prior to contact with Palliative Care, my Father (my entire Family) was left without ANY options...it was such a dark, scary, horrific time anyway and then to not have any resources or information shared by his oncologist with us...I feel compelled to ensure that others need not go through the additional agony of enforced ignorance as we were instructed to abide by and endured.  

More on my Precious Dad, Odee Lenderink, who died from AML on 1/11/09 http://papamore.blogspot.com

Thank You so much for your time and for all that you do...

Please Help Make A Positive Change...For PapAmore...

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For PapAmore, whose everyday life actively taught us to always give-back.

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