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cynjeep89

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Batteries Not Included
Nov 8^th, 2008 at 9:32pm

Across the street from me are my two neighbors, Anna and Paul Rohrbaugh. Anna is 84 and Paul is 91.

Anna was admitted to the 5th floor of St. Francis Hospital 12 days ago and two days later, Paul was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit in the same hospital. They have been married for over 60 years and I have never seen two people who are more in love than they are.

Their son, Dennis along with John and I have been visiting them daily and although it breaks our hearts to know that they will probably never make it home again, we have seen magic.

Magic in the sense of love that spans decades.

When we visit Mrs. Rohrbaugh she asks us to tell her husband that she sends kisses and love to him. When we walk into Mr. Rohrbaugh's room and deliver the message, his face lights up from underneath the BiPAP mask. Mr. Rohrbaugh mouths, "Tell Anna that I love her, too". Too cute!!!

If any of you have seen the movie, "Batteries Not Included", Mrs. Rohrbaugh looks just like Jessica Tandy...thus the title of this post.

I know that these two precious people will probably never make it home again but ask that if you have a spare minute, that you include them in your prayers or thoughts.

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« Last Edit: Nov 8^th, 2008 at 9:42pm by cynjeep89 »

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Callico CH.com Hall of Famer Offline Author of "Stranded at Romson's Lodge Posts: 4916 Aurora IL Gender:	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #1 - Nov 8^th, 2008 at 10:03pm Done! Please let them know we are here for them. Jerry
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DennisM1045 CH.com Alumnus Offline One wave at a time! Posts: 3437 Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA Gender:	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #2 - Nov 8^th, 2008 at 10:20pm That kind of dedication to the flame of love is an all too rare thing in this world. People today want things to be easy. Love like that requires care and constant attention to each other. Thanks for sharing their story Cyn... They're on my list. -Dennis-
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Redd CH.com Sponsor Offline Posts: 8457 Stevens Point USA Wisconsin Gender:	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #3 - Nov 8^th, 2008 at 10:32pm Done Cyn.... (I wanna be loved like that someday) Maybe in my next life.
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Jonny Ex Member	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #4 - Nov 9^th, 2008 at 12:45am Count me in!
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BarbaraD CH.com Alumnus Offline Hugs to ya Posts: 8333 Douglasville, TX Gender:	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #5 - Nov 9^th, 2008 at 5:44am Prayers are with them ... and with you too for being there to "deliver" the messages... Hugs BD
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barry_sword CH.com Alumnus Offline Mountain Biking Keeps Me Sane Posts: 3947 Bracebridge, Canada Gender:	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #6 - Nov 9^th, 2008 at 6:48am Anna and Paul will remain in our thoughts and prayers. You and John are so awesome for visiting them daily. It must be very hard for these two not to be together right now. You deserve the "Good Neighbor Award" hands down!!!
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Jackie CH.com Moderator CH.com Alumnus Offline Go For It!!! Posts: 5903 Goshen, IN Gender:	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #7 - Nov 9^th, 2008 at 7:43am Keeping this sweet, loving couple in our thoughts and prayers. They must miss each other terribly.....bless their hearts. Jackie
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cash5542 CH.com Hall of Famer Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 1243 x1\|Ocean Pines\|USA\|usa\|498\|141\|MD,Maryland Gender:	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #8 - Nov 9^th, 2008 at 9:49am What a bittersweet story. You brought tears to my eyes. It is wonderful that you can John can be there for them. Such a special love story. Charlotte
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catlind CH.com Moderator CH.com Alumnus Offline Surf's Up! Posts: 4536 Weaverville NC Gender:	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #9 - Nov 9^th, 2008 at 10:36am A love like that is a rare thing. I hope Clark and I are still like that at 60 years. All my thoughts to them, may they be reunited in this world before passing on. Cat
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Ray CH.com Alumnus Offline Ray Posts: 1996 Columbus, Ohio Gender:	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #10 - Nov 9^th, 2008 at 1:05pm Count on my prayers.... Ray
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Charlie CH.com Alumnus Offline Happy to be here Posts: 18971 Jamestown, NY Gender:	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #11 - Nov 9^th, 2008 at 9:06pm I'm here too. Lots of prayers and thoughts. Charlie
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superhawk2300 CH.com Hall of Famer Offline Posts: 901 New Berlin, WI Gender:	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #12 - Nov 9^th, 2008 at 11:55pm Vibes to them. Cliche but cute movie for those that have not sen it.
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cynjeep89

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Re: Batteries Not Included
Reply #13 - Nov 10^th, 2008 at 8:23pm

The visit with my neighbors today was a bit rough. I watched their son, Dennis struggle with the decision of signing the consent for his Mom to have a PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) tube/feeding tube inserted. In the last 15 days, she has had a pacemaker inserted, abdominal surgery for an intestinal blockage, pneumonia, a urinary infection and now has sepsis.

She is not coherent enough to make the decision and since her husband has Alzheimer's, he cannot help with this decision.

I urge all of you to please make a Living Will to make your wishes known to your children and family so they don't have to struggle making these kind of decisions for you. Sure it is hard to sit down, put pen to paper and face your own mortality but it is the best gift that you can leave for your loved ones. Get your will in order and review it with them. It's so sad to see Dennis struggling and trying to make these decisions with both of his parents in the hospital at the same time just because his parents didn't take the time to make their wishes known.

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echo CH.com Alumnus Offline Chronic and still alive --- I Win! Posts: 4544 Overland Park, KS Gender:	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #14 - Nov 10^th, 2008 at 11:29pm I'm in! It's too bad hospital rules, policies and / or procedures won't allow them to be in side by side beds.
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Pixie-elf CH.com Hall of Famer Offline I've tried the rest, and busting is the best! Posts: 517 Beaumont,Tx Gender:	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #15 - Nov 11^th, 2008 at 12:11am I'll be sending good vibes and thoughts to them. They're in my thoughts and prayers. :3
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Jeannie CH.com Sponsor Offline Live, Laugh, Love.... Posts: 2333 St Louis, Missouri Gender:	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #16 - Nov 11^th, 2008 at 3:03pm This story warmed my heart and saddened me at the same time. I will be thinking of them. Jeannie
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Linda_Howell

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Re: Batteries Not Included
Reply #17 - Nov 11^th, 2008 at 6:27pm

What a heartwarming and heartfelt story Cyn.

Quote:

I'm in! It's too bad hospital rules, policies and / or procedures won't allow them to be in side by side beds.

I'm with Echo on this one. At the stage they're both in and looking like they'll never go home...why can't the rules be bent.? Are you in a position to ask? Certainly their kids are, right? Personally if that were my Mom and Dad...I'd be insisting.

Thank you so much for sharing that with us.

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Hurt people.....hurt people. Think about it.

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barry_sword CH.com Alumnus Offline Mountain Biking Keeps Me Sane Posts: 3947 Bracebridge, Canada Gender:	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #18 - Nov 11^th, 2008 at 6:40pm Thanks for the update Cyn, but so very sad. I also wonder why they are not put in the same room?
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cynjeep89

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Re: Batteries Not Included
Reply #19 - Nov 11^th, 2008 at 7:29pm

We were able to get Mr. and Mrs. R were in the same room for a day and a half but Mr. R's condition worsened and was transferred to ICU. By the time he was well enough to go back to the regular floor, Mrs. R got worse and was transferred to another unit.

Just can't get them both well enough at the same time and I'm not sure if it is ever going to happen.

Thanks for the well wishes and I'll pass them on to the family.

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cynjeep89 CH.com Alumnus Offline Posts: 1626 Delaware\| Gender:	Re: Batteries Not Included Reply #20 - Nov 15^th, 2008 at 9:38pm Mrs. R. fought the good fight with all that she had. She passed peacefully at 5:50 P.M. tonight. The worst part of this is that her husband who has Alzheimer's Disease probably won't understand when we tell him tomorrow that his wife has died. R. I. P. Anna. I will miss you.
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Lizzie2

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Re: Batteries Not Included
Reply #21 - Nov 16^th, 2008 at 2:10am

Oh Cyn,

I just read this. I'm so very sorry to hear about Anna and Paul. What a kind and loving friend you are being to them. I hope that Anna is now in peace. How horrible for Paul to be left behind, and also for their children and for you and John to be facing losing both of them at the same time.

It is a touching story - the love they have for one another. If we each were to come out of life being loved that way, I would say we have been more than blessed.

Thank you for being such a kind friend to them.

Much love and prayers headed your way!
Carrie

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~~"Don't know much about your life. Don't know much about your world, but Don't wanna be alone tonight on this planet they call Earth."~~

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barry_sword

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Re: Batteries Not Included
Reply #22 - Nov 16^th, 2008 at 7:06am

Cyn, I am sorry to hear Anna passed away. I have no idea why this story of this couple is touching me in the way it is, but I am fighting the tears back, but it is not working very well.

May Anna rest in peace, and she knows what good people you and John are, for being a good neighbor and for making your daily visits to check on her and Paul in the hospital.

Someday the two of them will be reunited.

Barry Cry

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cash5542

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Re: Batteries Not Included
Reply #23 - Nov 16^th, 2008 at 9:29am

First off I am sorry for your loss and the loss to the family Cyn. I am so glad you could be there for the family.

I agree with you Barry. This story has touched me too. I'm not sure why but maybe it's the simplicity and love in life when so many struggle with divorce and bad marriage. It seems so hard that we can't just take our spouses hand and leave this world together peacefully. Although it's been over 2 years since my mother died, I know my Dad still badly misses my mother after a 54 yr marriage. I always loved the two movies "on Golden Pond" and "The Notebook" There is just something so special yet hard about those last years.

Charlotte

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Re: Batteries Not Included
Reply #24 - Nov 16^th, 2008 at 1:05pm

Aw Cyn, I'm so sorry for your loss.

I don't know how I missed this thread but it has touched me deeply.

Love like this is rare and precious and you are blessed to have witnessed it. If there is ANYTHING good about Alzheimers (and not much is good about that disease), it's that he won't be too affected by her death because in his mind, she's still with him. He's in a place where she is always there . . .

Our love and condolences to you and yours, as well as Anna's family.

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