Benefit Concert & Boutique/Silent Auction Saturday, May 19, 2012

Our wonderful neighbors decided to continue planning the Benefit Concert for Celeste after her passing. They have been working hard to organize the event and collect items for the Boutique sale and Silent Auction. All proceeds will go to Celeste's family for her medical expenses.
We've posted photos so you can take a peek at some of the donated items for sale, most of them handcrafted! The concert is at 4:00 pm and will last approximately one hour. Come early for the Boutique and Auction before the concert starts. The flyer is also available online so it can be forwarded to all who want to participate.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=1jjYBUgnsCkvHWqrEqF72W0nmKWsyrryhydg_EUiKLYh2xn1fYj2z56B0qkKK

Come join us in celebrating Celeste's life!

 

 

Poll Family Bereavement Fund

Some of you have asked about a donation fund for the costs of Celeste's battle with cancer and passing - we cannot express enough how grateful we are for the love and concern you have shown by even asking.  Some of our family friends have graciously set up a bereavement fund for convenient electronic donations via paypal.

Thank you again to everyone who has followed Celeste through this journey, and for all your prayers, love, and support.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=7FW44GTKTVNPY

Obituary

Celeste Nichole Poll, age 22, passed away Monday, April 9^th, 2012, in LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City.  Born in the same hospital, April 13^th, 1989, to Robert Vance Poll and Christiane Campbell Poll, she was welcomed with their open arms.  They were by her side again, comforting her, when she left this world.  Celeste was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma last July, and fought a valiant battle to stay with us.  The fifth of nine children, Celeste was the “pivot point” in her family.  She was a positive and calming influence to all who knew her, especially her siblings: Shaleece Oldroyd (Mitchell), Laurissa, Heather, Katrina David (Adam), Nicholas, Christian, Thomas, and Bethany.  A talented pianist, Celeste graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy less than two months before her diagnosis.  We will miss her greatly, and the spirit she brought with her heartfelt music, but we look forward to hearing her song again when we are reunited.

Family and Friends are invited to attend the following services.  Viewing at Jenkins-Soffe, 1007 W. South Jordan Pkwy, Friday April 13^th, 2012 6-8 p.m.  Viewing at the Country Crossing 9^th Ward, 2812 W. 11800 S., Saturday, April 14^th, 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.  Funeral following at 11:00 a.m.

Sweet Goodbyes

Celeste's kidneys and lungs were much worse this morning even though her PEEP was 14. There was nothing more to do. She quietly passed at 11:40.

She will be missed for this short time that we will be apart, but we know that we will be together again, and that she is happy and no longer hurting. We love you so much Celeste!

Easter Sunday

Not much different to report today.  Celeste’s fevers persist.  She is still sedated but a little more alert – blinking now and then, reacting a little more to care.  She gets a bag of platelets every 2 hours.  Her kidneys are worse than yesterday so they are trying to incrementally pull down the ventilator pressure without compromising her oxygen levels.  They have also introduced stool softener in an attempt to move her bowel, not only for comfort but to reduce her abdominal swelling, which is mostly fluid retention.  Her last round of chemo was given just before 5:00 p.m.  The morning x-ray will hopefully give us an indication of whether that will improve her lungs any.  That’s where things really seem to hinge. 

We apologize to those who are anxiously waiting for updates.  It is difficult to balance reporting with interacting with Docs and nurses, caring for Celeste, making decisions etc.  It is very kind for people to be following her progress so closely.

It has been a peaceful day to be in Celeste's presence. We are grateful for the opportunity to contemplate and celebrate the Atonement and Resurrection!

                                                        Celeste's nurse put these flowers on her bed today :)  

                                        

Morning of April 7th

Celeste remains sedated to prevent anxiety (thrashing arms and such).  Each episode destablizes her vital signs for a while.  She's retaining fluid and her belly is a bit more distended than yesterday.  Her oxygen levels have improved and her heart rate is 110 to 115.  This morning's x-ray shows some improvement in her lungs but they are still full of lymphoma cells.  There is no other infection.  The ventilator is set at 90% oxygen and is working hard at 22 PEEP (pressure measurement) with only 3 more points possible.  Her kidneys are experiencing some difficulty because of the high PEEP and they are now walking a tightrope to balance what her lungs need to stay alive and how much her kidneys can take before failing.  She will receive a final dose of chemo tomorrow.  If the chemo does not significantly reduce the lymphoma cells in her lungs, there will not really be anything more left to do than keep her comfortable for as long as she hangs on.  In short, she still has a very small chance of rebounding but there is little reason to believe that will happen.

ICU update

Celeste was placed on the ventilator again last night because she was having such difficulty breathing.  She had seemed pretty good the last couple of days.  We met with the doctors and staff late this morning, they showed us lung xrays showing how the disease has rapidly progressed.  If they took her off the ventilator, she would die within seconds.  They are trying to keep her comfortable and fed through a feeding tube and are still trying chemo but, based on recent experience and the progression of the lymphoma, they don't see her turning around.  They think her body will shut down within the next few days.  All but Christian went to see her tonight, he will come tomorrow.  She was conscious but drugged.  We gave her a blessing of comfort and strength, but we haven't told her any specifics yet.  Thank you for all your love and prayers.