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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Crazy Little Thing Called Life

I'm not sure where the past 3 months have gone...we have certainly been on one crazy ride.  As most of you who read this know, my mom underwent a major surgery back on July 24th.  The type of cancer she had back in 2001 came back and she had to face another big surgery and have a mass removed in her pelvis.  As with any major surgery, it led to some complications.  The complications landed her a 4 week stay at Stanford.  I am happy to report, she is doing well and is on the mend. The type of cancer she has is extremely slow growing and luckily they have a medicine that helps slow the growth. No one likes to see their mom in that state, and with me being 7-8 months pregnant at the time, I was a bit of an emotional mess.  I had so much fear that my mom would miss the baby's birth.  My mom has been my main source of help when I've had my babies.  When Blake and Reese were born she came and stayed with us for 2 weeks to help out.  She did so much to help me adjust to motherhood and life with a newborn.  From cleaning, to organizing, to making me food and filling my water jug, to sitting up with me while I nursed in the middle of the night...my mom has always been the one I rely on, especially during this time.  While she was in the hospital, we weren't even sure if she would be out of the hospital before the baby was born.  My mom still doesn't know this, but her doctor looked me in the eye after I jokingly asked if my mom would be out of the hospital before I go into labor and he flat out told me, "Maybe not."  My jaw nearly dropped to the floor.  My mom did make it home about 2 weeks before I went into labor, only 3 days after she had her follow up appointment at Stanford.  My mom wasn't in any shape to spend an excess amount of time with us after Camryn made her debut, but I cannot tell you know grateful I am that she was present at the hospital and able to hold Camryn in her arms.  I love my mom and am so thankful she has made it through and is getting stronger day by day.  My girls are lucky to have such an amazing grandmother!

As all of this was taking place, we also had another parent who wasn't doing so well.  My father-in-law, Palmer, had been ill for some time and his disease was getting progressively worse rather quickly. After a long battle, Palmer passed away  peacefully with his children and his wife surrounding him on September 4th.  Palmer was an amazing man who accomplished more than most do in their life.  I've enjoyed hearing all the stories about his younger years since he has passed away...I'm just sorry it took his passing to hear the stories.  On September 7th, the family had a private burial and memorial for Palmer.  It was such a nice afternoon spent with close friends and family...lots of laughs, and of course tears, reminiscing old memories.  Palmer will be terribly missed by all who loved him.  It breaks my heart that he didn't get to meet his newest grandchild...


Allison & Palmer


Palmer's children
Nathan, Sam, Eric, Deborah & Alex



The next morning around 8am I told Sam, "I'm pretty sure it's go time."  I will never forget the look on his face and how big his eyes got! 

To read Palmer's obituary, please click here

Palmer H. White, M.D. 1937-2013 On September 4, 2013, Dr. Palmer H. White passed away after a long illness at his home in Novato, California surrounded by his loved ones. Palmer was born in Winnetka, Illinois April of 1937 where he was one of four brothers, raised by his parents Corda and Ferris White. He attended New Trier High School in Winnetka Illinois and later attended Williams College in Williamstown Massachusetts. Palmer's classmates remember him for his kind nature, his charisma, his athletic prowess and his fun personality. Palmer lived life to its fullest. A dedicated public servant, he committed much of his life to the assistance of others in need. He attended medical school at Northwestern University and following medical school, Palmer was commissioned as a Captain in the US Army, where he served as an Army doctor in Germany and Italy between 1964 and 1968. He continued his medical career in Los Angeles where he completed his surgery residency at UCLA Harbor General Hospital. He eventually moved to Novato, California where he was one of two general surgeons at Novato Community Hospital. Palmer immediately fell in love with the city of Novato and committed himself to the community. He took call for the emergency room every other night and every other weekend for more than 30 years. He served as Chief of Staff at the hospital for over 17 years. He held a position on the Medical Executive Committee of the hospital for 27 years and chaired the Medical Staff's Quality Review Committee for 12 years eventually becoming Medical Advisor. He was on the board of the Marin Independent Physicians Association. He served as the first year president of the Novato Chapter of the Cancer Society. Delivering good medicine to his community was his passion. To this end, he played an integral role in the process that eventually led to the building of a new Novato Community Hospital next to the Vintage Oaks Business Park. He worked to establish the Novato Health Partnership Program with the Novato Unified School District and the Novato Community Hospital which to this day provides health care for children in Novato who do not have health insurance. In 1996 he was presented with the award for Physician of the Year by the Marin Medical Society. Upon retiring from his surgical practice, Palmer and his wife Allison, an RN, opened Laser Light Treatment Center where he combined his vascular surgery expertise with cutting edge laser technology and developed innovative procedures for eliminating painful and unsightly leg veins. In addition to enjoying his work, Palmer was a lover of sports, especially golf, and competitive fun. Many friends and family share fond memories of Palmer's athletic skills. In addition to excelling in several sports during his high school years, he was a talented lacrosse player at William's College, where he was praised by friends for once scoring the winning goal for his team in a victory over rival Yale University. He represented his Army unit in sports, where he competed against other units in competitions across Europe. He loved to ski. However, the most significant competitive events in his life were those he engaged in during summer vacations in Lakeside Michigan where inter and intra family rivalries were enduring institutions both during daytime sports and in the evenings at the card table. Despite his many interests, anyone who knew Palmer quickly learned that what he ultimately valued most was his family. He was a loving grandfather to Sarah, Blake, Estee and Reese. He only missed meeting his fifth grandchild Camryn by a few days, as Camryn was born just four days after his passing. He was a proud father of his five children Deborah, Alex, Eric, Nate and Sam. He loved his brothers, Terry, Steve and Jim. He was a dedicated husband to his wife Allison, the true love of his life, of 38 years. So many of his favorite moments throughout his life were spent with his family and friends whom he loved so much. Those who knew and loved him will miss his calls to action, his mischievous smile, the twinkle in his eyes and his sweet embrace. A memorial service celebrating Palmer's life will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the New Beginnings, Key Room located at 1399 N. Hamilton Parkway in Novato. Palmer's family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Novato Community Hospital Foundation. Donations are accepted online via the foundation's website at http://www.novatocommunity.org/foundation/gift.html#Donate Now Online and through other channels by contacting Margaret D. Walker, Fund Development Officer for Novato Community Hospital at 165 Rowland Way Ste #307 Novato, Ca. 94945; Tel: 415.209-1828; Email: walkermd@sutterhealth.org
Palmer H. White, M.D. 1937-2013 On September 4, 2013, Dr. Palmer H. White passed away after a long illness at his home in Novato, California surrounded by his loved ones. Palmer was born in Winnetka, Illinois April of 1937 where he was one of four brothers, raised by his parents Corda and Ferris White. He attended New Trier High School in Winnetka Illinois and later attended Williams College in Williamstown Massachusetts. Palmer's classmates remember him for his kind nature, his charisma, his athletic prowess and his fun personality. Palmer lived life to its fullest. A dedicated public servant, he committed much of his life to the assistance of others in need. He attended medical school at Northwestern University and following medical school, Palmer was commissioned as a Captain in the US Army, where he served as an Army doctor in Germany and Italy between 1964 and 1968. He continued his medical career in Los Angeles where he completed his surgery residency at UCLA Harbor General Hospital. He eventually moved to Novato, California where he was one of two general surgeons at Novato Community Hospital. Palmer immediately fell in love with the city of Novato and committed himself to the community. He took call for the emergency room every other night and every other weekend for more than 30 years. He served as Chief of Staff at the hospital for over 17 years. He held a position on the Medical Executive Committee of the hospital for 27 years and chaired the Medical Staff's Quality Review Committee for 12 years eventually becoming Medical Advisor. He was on the board of the Marin Independent Physicians Association. He served as the first year president of the Novato Chapter of the Cancer Society. Delivering good medicine to his community was his passion. To this end, he played an integral role in the process that eventually led to the building of a new Novato Community Hospital next to the Vintage Oaks Business Park. He worked to establish the Novato Health Partnership Program with the Novato Unified School District and the Novato Community Hospital which to this day provides health care for children in Novato who do not have health insurance. In 1996 he was presented with the award for Physician of the Year by the Marin Medical Society. Upon retiring from his surgical practice, Palmer and his wife Allison, an RN, opened Laser Light Treatment Center where he combined his vascular surgery expertise with cutting edge laser technology and developed innovative procedures for eliminating painful and unsightly leg veins. In addition to enjoying his work, Palmer was a lover of sports, especially golf, and competitive fun. Many friends and family share fond memories of Palmer's athletic skills. In addition to excelling in several sports during his high school years, he was a talented lacrosse player at William's College, where he was praised by friends for once scoring the winning goal for his team in a victory over rival Yale University. He represented his Army unit in sports, where he competed against other units in competitions across Europe. He loved to ski. However, the most significant competitive events in his life were those he engaged in during summer vacations in Lakeside Michigan where inter and intra family rivalries were enduring institutions both during daytime sports and in the evenings at the card table. Despite his many interests, anyone who knew Palmer quickly learned that what he ultimately valued most was his family. He was a loving grandfather to Sarah, Blake, Estee and Reese. He only missed meeting his fifth grandchild Camryn by a few days, as Camryn was born just four days after his passing. He was a proud father of his five children Deborah, Alex, Eric, Nate and Sam. He loved his brothers, Terry, Steve and Jim. He was a dedicated husband to his wife Allison, the true love of his life, of 38 years. So many of his favorite moments throughout his life were spent with his family and friends whom he loved so much. Those who knew and loved him will miss his calls to action, his mischievous smile, the twinkle in his eyes and his sweet embrace. A memorial service celebrating Palmer's life will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the New Beginnings, Key Room located at 1399 N. Hamilton Parkway in Novato. Palmer's family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Novato Community Hospital Foundation. Donations are accepted online via the foundation's website at http://www.novatocommunity.org/foundation/gift.html#Donate Now Online and through other channels by contacting Margaret D. Walker, Fund Development Officer for Novato Community Hospital at 165 Rowland Way Ste #307 Novato, Ca. 94945; Tel: 415.209-1828; Email: walkermd@sutterhealth.or
Palmer H. White, M.D. 1937-2013 On September 4, 2013, Dr. Palmer H. White passed away after a long illness at his home in Novato, California surrounded by his loved ones. Palmer was born in Winnetka, Illinois April of 1937 where he was one of four brothers, raised by his parents Corda and Ferris White. He attended New Trier High School in Winnetka Illinois and later attended Williams College in Williamstown Massachusetts. Palmer's classmates remember him for his kind nature, his charisma, his athletic prowess and his fun personality. Palmer lived life to its fullest. A dedicated public servant, he committed much of his life to the assistance of others in need. He attended medical school at Northwestern University and following medical school, Palmer was commissioned as a Captain in the US Army, where he served as an Army doctor in Germany and Italy between 1964 and 1968. He continued his medical career in Los Angeles where he completed his surgery residency at UCLA Harbor General Hospital. He eventually moved to Novato, California where he was one of two general surgeons at Novato Community Hospital. Palmer immediately fell in love with the city of Novato and committed himself to the community. He took call for the emergency room every other night and every other weekend for more than 30 years. He served as Chief of Staff at the hospital for over 17 years. He held a position on the Medical Executive Committee of the hospital for 27 years and chaired the Medical Staff's Quality Review Committee for 12 years eventually becoming Medical Advisor. He was on the board of the Marin Independent Physicians Association. He served as the first year president of the Novato Chapter of the Cancer Society. Delivering good medicine to his community was his passion. To this end, he played an integral role in the process that eventually led to the building of a new Novato Community Hospital next to the Vintage Oaks Business Park. He worked to establish the Novato Health Partnership Program with the Novato Unified School District and the Novato Community Hospital which to this day provides health care for children in Novato who do not have health insurance. In 1996 he was presented with the award for Physician of the Year by the Marin Medical Society. Upon retiring from his surgical practice, Palmer and his wife Allison, an RN, opened Laser Light Treatment Center where he combined his vascular surgery expertise with cutting edge laser technology and developed innovative procedures for eliminating painful and unsightly leg veins. In addition to enjoying his work, Palmer was a lover of sports, especially golf, and competitive fun. Many friends and family share fond memories of Palmer's athletic skills. In addition to excelling in several sports during his high school years, he was a talented lacrosse player at William's College, where he was praised by friends for once scoring the winning goal for his team in a victory over rival Yale University. He represented his Army unit in sports, where he competed against other units in competitions across Europe. He loved to ski. However, the most significant competitive events in his life were those he engaged in during summer vacations in Lakeside Michigan where inter and intra family rivalries were enduring institutions both during daytime sports and in the evenings at the card table. Despite his many interests, anyone who knew Palmer quickly learned that what he ultimately valued most was his family. He was a loving grandfather to Sarah, Blake, Estee and Reese. He only missed meeting his fifth grandchild Camryn by a few days, as Camryn was born just four days after his passing. He was a proud father of his five children Deborah, Alex, Eric, Nate and Sam. He loved his brothers, Terry, Steve and Jim. He was a dedicated husband to his wife Allison, the true love of his life, of 38 years. So many of his favorite moments throughout his life were spent with his family and friends whom he loved so much. Those who knew and loved him will miss his calls to action, his mischievous smile, the twinkle in his eyes and his sweet embrace. A memorial service celebrating Palmer's life will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the New Beginnings, Key Room located at 1399 N. Hamilton Parkway in Novato. Palmer's family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Novato Community Hospital Foundation. Donations are accepted online via the foundation's website at http://www.novatocommunity.org/foundation/gift.html#Donate Now Online and through other channels by contacting Margaret D. Walker, Fund Development Officer for Novato Community Hospital at 165 Rowland Way Ste #307 Novato, Ca. 94945; Tel: 415.209-1828; Email: walkermd@sutterhealth.org

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