2004-05 memories

Our near daily e-mailing had evolved to weekly as Rotraud did battle with the cancer which had spread to her bones. Her optimistic, hopeful spirit never wavered and she found peace in reading, sewing and especially music. She was grateful for family and friends, and was exceptionally happy to spend another Christmas with her children at home. She and Einar were planning a coastal cruise for May 2006.

Here are photos and excerpts from a few of the e-mails we received during this time.

9/26/2004 - "First sunday report..." Just back from airport with door now locked.

11/7/2004 - "Her kommer et bilde av min nye stol!" [Here comes a picture of my new chair!]

11/21/2004 - "Too lazy to write...... too much guests"


	11/28/2004 - "Idag er det første søndag i advent. Den syv arma lysestaken lyser i vinduet. Hos dere også?" [Today is it first Sunday in Advent...]	3/27/2005 - "god påske [Happy Easter] .... from my aunt and me."

9/11/2005

"Today .. we had dinner at Arrsvågen ..."

"... and I have left
the house first time for many months."

11/24/05 E-mail

Kjære venner, [Dear Friends,]
godt at dere er hjemme igjen. [good that you are at home again]
What an interesting life you have, but I don't complain about mine.
Most of the day I make handwork (håndarbeid) and listen to the radio.
During all summer and autumn I wasn't interested in the world, but now I feel so healthy, that I try to follow what happens. The broken bone is still painful, but doesn't keep me from anything. I wash clothes and make dinner, but are most content in my good chair with a book or something to sew/knit.

Rotraud

[she was experiencing some relief from an herbal product called Artemisinin recommended to her by a German doctor friend.]

12/1/05 E-mail

Kjære venner,

when do you leave for central America? Strange not writing christmas cards to you.
It's from time to time a rare feeling sitting in the living room, looking at the syv armet lysestake [Xmas 7-arm candelabra] and the advent candles, since in April/May was not sure, that I would live until christmas.

I discovered another big advantage with Artemisinin. It draws the iron out of the cancer cells and so stops them from growing. This iron goes into my blood and I don't have an anemia anymore.

Therefore I feel so good. The onliest thing that bothers me is the broken side bone, but I hope it grows soon.
Einar has bought himself a keyboard with over 500 different voices. He hardly looks at mails anymore.

Today I started to write christmas cards. I write 60 and feel, that I have to say more than merry christmas this time.

I hope we stay in e-mail contact, while you are traveling?

Hjerteligst Rotraud

The last e-mail 1/31/06

Kjære venner,
this is a short mail just asking, if you are home again? Is everything ok?
My broken bone in the side hurts still very much. I'm quite fed up with it now.
Saturday our neighbour Terje Kallkodt
will come and paint the wall behind the new stove.
It's cold and nice outside.
Hjertelig hilsen, Rotraud
P.S. We have booked a trip on the Hurtigruten in a MiniSuite from may 5 to 16.

December 2005 Slogvik Family Christmas

Sep. 2004 - Dec. 2005

Last Photos & E-Mails