Shirley Ruzumna

I have been writing this Blog for a few years now. I'm not sure exactly why  began, nor am i sure that the most important events have necessarily gotten their fair share of space, but I am sure that the "Lubell family blog" has been decidedly up-beat. That is partially due to me having a truly fortunate life, and in part my unwillingness to share some of the "Darker moments". Today I do have to write about the sad and disturbing situation involving Shirley. 

What began as a simple ache in her arm, developed into the situation we have today. Shirley has truly been going through a living Hell. A "trial by fire" that would have caused Hercules or Oddesses to quit; yet one that Shirley has fought with courage and grace. I have watched her battle to keep her spirits up, in fact even lifting those around her. Shirley loves to cook, to make the party, to be the one serving.   All that know her can imagine how hard it must be for her to have others do for her, those things that she has always taken such joy and pride to do for others.

But Shirley is never alone, she is circled by a team of warriors fighting by her side, and of them, Ed is clearly the General. He has been unwavering in his love and support. He has been there for her in every way, made every sacrifice and asked nothing but that God would give him more time to spend with Shirley.

Steven has been a constant source of pride and happiness to Shirley.
He has been there with Ed for each piece of news. All the long days and nights both by his mom's side but also a great help to Ed.

What I  know best I know though the eyes of Ilene. It is so difficult to watch someone you love go through such pain. Throughout the years I have known Ilene she has always spoken of her relationship with her Mom as one that transcends that of just Mother and Daughter,and includes being "Best friends" I know that Ilene looks to her Mom as an inspiration and the bedrock on which her life was built. I have watched Ilene go through a personal Hell, one where she is constantly "Torn". Every moment she is here in Chicago, she feels guilty and longs to be with her family in Detroit. When in Detroit, she feels bad that she is missing Lane's first week of High School, or his Cross Country meet. It is so hard to for her, and yet it's never herself that she thinks of, instead her thoughts are just for those that Love her and need her.

I would be amiss not to mention all of those that have been by Shirley's side. Her sisters, nieces, extended family, many coming from around the country to lend there support and Love. So many that have visited in the hospital or at home. Those you have sent cards, made calls. All of Ed and Shirley's friends that have been so supportive. Friends of ours that do not go a week without calling Ilene, many offering to help drive Lane, or whatever they can do, while Ilene is out of town.

Yes today is not a "Happy post", but it is an important one. Let's all close our eyes and hope, pray and above all, close ranks and wish Shirley well.         

    

"It was the best of times

It was the worst of times;
it ws the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were all going directly to Heaven, we were all going the other way."

Charles Dickens


Looking through this Blog, it's hard for one not conclude that ours is a family for whom only sunshine falls. That each week brings new awards, days on a beach, and the joy of time spent with family and friends. And truth be told, we do have at-least our share of Happy Moments, but as there is light, there is also darkness.

Last week, after some simple blood work looking to see if he still had a skin infection, the doctor sent us off to Children's hospital to find the source of the problem.

The test showed he was loosing protein in his urine and that is the result of some kidney problem.

His kidneys are functioning fine except that one problem.

He spent three days in the hospital, he got to come home Saturday and Sunday, but had to return at 1:00 on Monday.

There are a number of possible causes. They range from something "Serious" to something as serious as getting the flu.

It seems as if the "Bad" possibilities are exotic and not likely the cause.

The doctors seem to be talking about a 90% chance that it is one of two things, either of which would require he take some pills for a few weeks. The next couple of possible causes would add a week to the meds (Slightly different meds) and a bit more observation to make sure he does not get this again.

Forgive me but I'm not going to address the idea of the more serious, far less likely causes.We will find out what this is all about when we get the results back from the biopsy he took today (08/24)

On the positive side; Lane did make it to Orientation today. He was 20 minutes late, as he came right from spending the night at the hospital. But HE MADE IT.

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Ilene's Mom is not doing well at all. She is fighting valiantly, has has been to Hell and back. There is nothing that she ever did in her life to warrant such pain and suffering.

Ed and Steven have been great, and have worked diligently to be there for her, and to keep her spirits up- clearly it is a challenging task.

Ilene has been performing the most difficult of balancing acts. Taking care of Lane, and myself, starting up a business with a close friend, while bouncing back and forth between Chicago, and Detroit. by comparison, Juggling chainsaws while standing one foot on a tennis ball, is child's play.  

Every moment she spends here she feels guilty she is not "There;" yet when "There" she feels bad she is not "Here". It is a non-stop ride of questioning. of placing needs over wants. and second-guessing each decision.

Today we find out Ed crashed his car, flipping over ending upside-down in the car.

Luck was shinning; since he escaped with a few scratches.

So there is a lot of "waiting with fingers crossed" here in our home.

Question- does it make any sense for Jews to "CROSS" fingers?

Maybe I'll file that under, "I guess it can't hurt"

Shirley Ruzumna, "Woman of Valor" Award

Lane Moving on to State History Fair Competition

Why do I not remember History Fair Competitions when I was in 8th grade? I do remember science Fair, if I recall correctly I entered that most years, but History fair does not ring a bell.
Of course even entering the Science Fair, I had no concept of "Citywide" or "Statewide" events. I had no clue that there was anything beyond the event at my own school. I'm not sure if that was because this is a "New" Concept, or that the school I went to just did not chose participate. Of course there is another explanation; maybe the quality of my work did not warrant further steps, and my school was being kind to keep me in the dark.

Well these competitions do exist and Lane's documentry was selected first by school to move on to the citywide event, where a team of judges decided that it should move forward yet again this time to an event in Springfield.
His documentry was on the history of the Chicago blues. ( I would post it on YouTube but Google's new software now catches any Copy written music.) Even though "Common -Use" laws I believe do allow for children to use recorded music in their school projects. (I will happily give 100% of all of the non-existing earnings to the artists)
It is hard to get a sense in this shot, but there were a large amount of people it this event.

Lane is being joined by Nour, Davey, Brett, Brigid and Blu; other 7th and 8th Graders from Catherine Cook School.
The competition is on May 6th.
http://www.chicagohistoryfair.org/
Click on congratulations winners and then junior metro Chicago then documentaries.
http://www.catherinecookschool.org/page.cfm?p=12&newsid=250
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While taking the 911 out for the first time this year, Lane and I found a new Korean market.

Look at the fear in Lane's eyes. It is clear he's not eating that

The Lincoln Park Zoo is a great place when the weather is nice. Ours has been all over the place. Warm one day, 30 degrees colder the next.

Visited Teddy Kirsch at Univ. of Michigan.

Back in Michigan for the Jewish Holiday, unfortunately Shirley was not yet out of the hospital. I am glad to say she is now back home.

Some new Pictures

Sam and Hope after a Loyola Football win. After a series of "Open" fencing tournaments, that saw Lane fencing NCAA competitors, we were off to Kansas City for the North American Cup. While there, Ilene had the good idea to look up an old friend.

Back in the days when Lane was still in his crib, Ilene had joined a play group. One of the moms, had ended up moving away to Kansas quite a few years ago. Since we don't have many occasions to go to Kansas City; it had been many years since we had seen them. It was wild to see her two girls all grown-up.

Lane, Hope And Sam, Well, being Lane Hope and Sam

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We went to Detroit for thanksgiving. It was great to spend time, of course Lane and I need to be constantly entertained; so the two of us went of to Cranbrook museum one day then to Greenfield Village the next.

At Cranbrook Lane forgot his phone in the car; so he made me take pictures of the names and formulas of some 60 different mineral samples. (It's a good thing an iPhone can hold all those pictures)



Greenfield Village was fun. The weather cooperated, which I must say was a big plus considering that the whole activity consists of walking form one historic home to the next. The homes all have famous histories; but they have all been moved from their original location and brought here by Henry Ford.

In between running the largest privately held business, and writing love letters to Hitler; I guess he found time to build this village.

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We also had the opportunity to get together with freinds that were also in-town visiting their family.

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Unwilling to let anything stand in the way of "Throwing a party," Shirley decided to have a "Few family members" over for a Hunnukah Party. By a few, she meant 75 people.

June 2008 (Recent Pictures)

Forest's Big Day Out !


For the longest time Lane had been looking for an opportunity to bring Forest to school.

When Mr. Brown announced that science class was going to be learning about birds- it seemed clear that this was Forests big chance.
Forest was very happy to be the center of attention, as well as see all of Lane's friends outside of his house.

After spending a few hours at Catherine Cook, he spent the rest of the day at my office.






Johnny Depp in Chicago


Maybe if we lived in LA, walking home and seeing our neighborhood transformed would be no big deal; but living in Chicago, it's pretty cool.

Ed and Shirley hanging out with us on the set.Ted Kirsch

This club head is as big as "My head"

METRO Fencing Tournament Y14

Third Place Finish

All Scream for Ice Cream

Sam, Hope, Lane, Ilene and Larry taking the picture