Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Rest in Peace

Early yesterday evening, 3 January 2015, we watched our oldest daughter finally give up her strong fight against so many medical issues and struggles. Heavy bleeding into her chest cavity that would not stop and three cardiac arrests, have given us all a roller-coaster of a ride the last two days. She has had to fight all her life, since the age of 11, dealing with each new problem with such strength. She had made it very clear to us at various times in more recent times that she would never want prolonged “heroic measures” performed if she was ever in that position. The last thing she wanted was to live the end of her life, be it weeks, months or even years, in a state where she had to rely on others to do every single thing for her, with absolutely no quality of life at all. So, after many detailed discussions with all her doctors, surgeons and specialists, nurses and a social worker, we all agreed that we must let Fiona die the way she wished, peacefully, in no pain and with dignity. Having said that, I have to add that the whole staff in the Intensive Care Unit at Foothills Hospital worked so hard to turn things around for her, but there were just too many health problems that, understandably, got in the way. The staff could not have been any more caring and thoughtful. Our heart-felt thanks to them. We, her family, thought and dreaded that this day would eventually come. How Fiona will be missed! She inspired so many people with her amazing persistence to “keep going” despite the endless difficulties in her life. Though she could feel “down” at times, she had a good sense of humour. Her heart was as big as the world – she always wanted to help people in any way that she was able, especially children, from a young girl in Africa to enjoying filling a backpack with school supplies for a school child in our own city. We knew, too, with complete certainty, that she would wish to donate any part of her body that might help someone else. Unfortunately, this was not possible due to the possibility (and uncertainty) that she also had rheumatoid arthritis. She has also always agreed, along the journey of her life, that when asked if she would be willing to let doctors and specialists share her information about the genetic disease she lived with, her answer was always a very willing "Yes". She has kept a careful record of each step along the way for years, and we know that this would include valuable information for the medical people, that could help others. Willing and thoughtful to the very end.

I made this poster a couple of days ago, hoping that there might be no need to use it. However, the breaking news today is that the remains found recently in Florida ARE those of little two-year-old (almost three) Caylee Marie Anthony. I have followed this huge case closely for the last few months and it has caught the attention and emotions of so many people. I won't go into how I fail to understand how any mother (assuming she is found guilty at trial) could ever do this to another human being, especially her own beautiful little daughter. I will simply say "It's a sad, sad day today."

This is one of the Giraffes at the Calgary Zoo, but I'm not sure just which one. I'm using the image to go with the sad news from yesterday from CBCNews Calgary. "The Calgary Zoo euthanized its 22-year-old giraffe Thursday, ending the animal’s long battle with degenerative arthritis. Mardi, a reticulated giraffe, had been getting medication and acupuncture to reduce inflammation and make it more comfortable for some time, zoo officials said. “It is always very sad to say good-bye to an old friend and Mardi was just that to so many of us here at the zoo,” said Mona Keith, lead zookeeper in the African Savannah area. However, just as we know when the time has come for our own aging pets, we knew that it was Mardi’s time.” Mardi was born at the Audubon zoo in New Orleans on Feb. 27, 1990 — during Mardi Gras, hence her name. She came to the Calgary Zoo in 1991 where she had three calves: Kelsey, Richard and Sophie. The average life expectancy of a giraffe is 20 to 25 years, the zoo said. The zoo has one remaining 18-year-old female reticulated giraffe, Carrie. Officials are working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan to bring one more to join her. There have been 17 giraffes born at the Calgary Zoo as part of a species survival plan for reticulated giraffes, officials said." www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2012/03/01/calgary-g... Ahhh ... about 6:45 p.m. and I now see what some of the "fuss" has been about. The new Contacts page has finally reached me, ha.