"Celebration of Life"
for
Jill Brierley

Saturday September 25

11:00 am
Crosswinds Church

6444 Sierra Court
Dublin, Ca. 94568



Dear Family & Friends of Jill Brierley,

Thank you so much for your outpouring of love and support for the Brierley family. Casey and their children have been truly blessed through these last 2 weeks especially.

We are inviting you to celebrate Jill's life with us on this special day. When Jill asked for a celebration of life, she also requested that people wear "Color". JUST LIKE JILL to ask us to do this.

Linda Allen will be coordinating food for this event:. You can email her at Sprtfmly@aol.com if you can bring something to share.

Also if anyone has a favorite picture of Jill they want to share as a memory they can email it to Bonnie for a slide show. Her email is isbonnie@comcast.net

In leu of flowers, donations can be made to two following causes dear to jill's heart.

The link to donate to the Relay for Life, 2011 Pleasanton "Hope West Coast" (Jills team) can not be set up online yet,
so the following address and contact info.
The Non Profit Tax ID # for ACS Pleasanton Relay for Life-Team Hope West Coast is 94-1170350

Checks MUST specify "Jills Team-Hope West Coast, Pleasanton 2011"

Donations can go by mail to:

Diana Nation, Coordinator, 2011 Pleasanton Relay for Life
American Cancer Society
7000 Village Parkway, Suite E
Dublin, CA 94568

Donations to the Foothill High School Technology Dept, for purchase of computer and equipment upgrades for use by students
can go by mail to the following address, but make sure to put on the check its for Jill's technology fund!:
PUSD FHS Tech Maintenance Tax ID # 94-3062524

Attention:
Jan Bing
Foothill High School
4375 Foothill Road
Pleasanton Ca 94588

Dearest Friends,

My dear sister Jill has passed on from this earthly home, to her new home in paradise at 7:45 this evening. I am sure she is greeting many friends at the gates of heaven. Yesterday I learned she last spoke to someone around 1:00. After that she went into a deep sleep. Her family kept an all night vigil at her bed side. Today also has been the same. A pastor came to pray and share with them. Her breathing was labored but her heart just went on. At her home tonight many friends and neighbors had planned to gather at 7:45 for a candlelight vigil, not knowing of course ahead of time, that it would be her time to enter heaven.

Casey says that the service he planned with Jill will be September 25th most likely. . Watch for updates. We hope to see and greet all of her friends. Thank you for your love and prayers for our Jill.

Dear friends,
Jill is still with us sleeping peacefully. I was up most of the night praying for Casey and the kids and texting with family up at the hospital. She is still sleeping this morning, with labored breathing. This picture was from about 2 weeks ago, before she had the Gtube and other life supporting tubes. Yesterday they removed the tubes.

Jill is always so beautiful, inside and out. She reflects God's love in all she does. I think so many people are fooled that she was sick, because she has always looked so healthy. In the room they are playing Jill's Ipod where she has her favorite worship music. I know there are a lot of songs, but Jill said this is her favorite. This is a song I referred to in another blog. "Imagine" by Mercy ME. look it up on Itunes.

Here are the verses.

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in honour of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
When I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

Jill is forever in my heart... You are walking that final path these last days, hours, minutes. You are in HIs Hands just like you said.

Dear Friends, Jill is slowly reaching the end of her time with us. Early today she began to have a fever. Also she was experiencing more and more pain. Now she is under heavy sedation. Her family is with her. While she was still awake they are able to have a little time with her still. She is resting right now again. The family is having an all night vigil at her side. They are playing music from her ipod. She has a particular song I mentioned before called "Imagine'. I am sure she is listening to it now and perhaps beginning to experience that incredible walk from this earthly place, to the heavenly gates. I am getting texts through the night to update all her dear friends. Read the comments from the last week or so. So many heart warming tributes to Jill.

From Lorette -- loretteharnsberger@yahoo.com

Dear Brierley Blogger Family,

At this time, Jill has been having poor sleep and is resting today. The family via my sister Nicky has said no visitors so that she can continue to rest. Keep her in your prayers as the recovery from the surgery has been more difficult these last 2 days.

On one of our family evenings as we were walking around, Bonnie recorded this video. Its was such a random thing, yet Jill was so sure of what she wanted to say.

Listen quietly. I have also her words:

JILL'S VOICE"

HELLO BRIERLEY BLOGGERS
THANK YOU ALL FOR FOLLOWING THIS JOURNEY WITH ME. I LOVE YOU ALL AND I AM GOING TO JUST KEEP JOURNALLING AS LONG AS I CAN. I HAVE MY SISTERS AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS ALL HERE SUPPORTING ME HELPING ME.

I JUST KEEP ThIS THING GOING. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND REMEMBER WE ARE ALL IN GOD'S HANDS AT ALL TIMES.


LOVE YOU GUYS, From Jill.

She asked me to share some scriptures also about this journey. I will update you with this later today. Thank you so much for your prayers and concern. All our Love, Lorette ( Jill's sister) loretteharnsberger@yahoo.com

Dear Blogger Buddies, We are sorry the blogger is a little late this time. The updates were coming straight from the hospital this time and the wifi connection is a little difficult sometimes to work with. Jill is coming along very slowly. We will update today later. Thank you for all your continued prayers and concern for Jill and the family. You are all so appreciated.

Lorette - Jill's sister

loretteharnsberger@yahoo.com

Dear Brierley Blogger Buddies,

Thank you so much for all your comments and notes you continue to send. Jill and Casey and the kids appreciate this so much. Jill said today that as hard as this last weekend had been -- all the tests, prodding, poking, operation etc, and recovery -- the blessings of sitting with her family and enjoying the small joys of life ---just being together has been so incredible. They continue to read the notes that you send her through the blog comments or emails.

Here is another picture from the other night. The kids made a tunnel for her to walk through. She continues to improve each day just a little. She enjoyed another Popsicle, walk down the hallways again, and had a little work out on the spirometer (sp?). This is a breathing tube you blow into or out, to help increase your lung capacity. For anyone who has a major abdominal operation, this is an important exercise of 10 times each hour.

Today, while I was visiting, Jill started to relate the story to us about how the Lord blessed her so much last week, in the midst of pain and deep emotional times.

Through this walk, particularily these last 10 days, has been many blessings. But God is so faithful. One of these blessings came by a lady named Diane. Last Friday when Dr. Umon had spoken to the family and explained about the blockage and the prognosis, the family was very emotional. It was a very difficult time. Then Jill says that one minute later, In came a lady Diane who Jill had met maybe a few times through church. . She had heard about Jill and that she was in the hospital. Diane felt led that she had a word to share with Jill and the family. The timing was perfect Jill says. Jill and Casey said both of them were so amazed by this ladys story and she was such an encourager and and comfort to them as they had to make decisions about the operation and Jill's choices. Jill was talking about this again this morning, She was just remembering how she just knew the Lord was with her and that the words spoken were just for her. Thank you Diane for the blessing that you were to this family.

I had a very short visit with Jill today. Her family continues to surround her with love and devotion. Thank you dear friends for surrounding Jill and her family with your love and prayers.

Today when Fritz, my husband prayed for her, he encouraged her to keep her eyes on Jesus. I thought that was also a good word for each of us. Keep our eyes on Him, and everything else falls into the right perspective. Blessings.

Dear Brierley Blogger Buddies,

My sister Jill today was sharing things she would like on her blogger for all her friends. Since she began this journey of walking with cancer 4 years ago, she has always chosen to be open about what is happening with her body. She has continually wanted to educate others to what happens, because she knows there are other's out there who are facing or will be facing similar decisions. So I am sharing today from our conversation this morning.

Ever the educator, one of her requests is for people to know what is happening with her. For example, she has a "Peak" right now. Its actually a NG tube, a gastrointestinal tube that sucks the bile out of her stomach. At first last week, when she first had it, she wasn't sure she liked it. Later she realized it was a life saver for her and her friend. It has helped her to stop throwing up. With the blockage in her small intestines, nothing went down and all came up. She was wasting away for two weeks, and though we had an idea it was the cancer, but there were a lot of unanswered questions. Once she had the operation on Monday, they realized her small intestines are filled with cancer, causing the blockage. This is one of the results of ascitis. This cancer fluid builds up in the body cavity. It was drained from her lungs 2 times now. Also from her gut area. She has had every test, poke and prod the last few weeks it seems. But being Jill, she didn't want to stop trying to find out WHY this is happening. With the surgery, Jill took a big chance. There was only a 20 % chance as we understand, that she would make it through surgery. I remember saying goodbye to her last weekend on the phone. I really sincerely thought I would never see her again. And then, the amazing story of what God continues to do through Jill, and in His grace, she made it through and is slowly recovering. Yet, she also knows she is full of cancer in the small intestine area. Chemo is not an option now that she has had the operation and needs to recuperate. The doctor did a bypass over much of her small intestines. This special doctor let Jill and Casey know the risks and gave Jill choices. Jill, always willing to take a chance went for it. Now she is slowly recovering and making some progress every day. Today she has less tubes, and she is eating a popsicle again. Yeah!

Besides her G tube, Jill does have a feeding tube also called a TPN ( I think that is what it is). Jill has not had food by mouth since about August 18th or around there. TPN gives her the nutrients she needs, and the trace minerals all of us need to sustain life. This is helping in her recovery right now. How long this will be is one of the questions and decisions she will have to decide with her family in the coming weeks. Most importantly for her family is that she is out of pain and not throwing up. She had another double Popsicle today after her walk on the floor. When she would be able to have more food will be for the doctors to decide.

Her family's goal is to keep her out of pain, and as comfortable as possible. As you can see from the pictures last night the whole family hangs out together. Jill is in the middle, loving every minute. She realizes if she had passed away last week, she would have missed out on these particularly beautiful times with her family as they adjust to this new phase of her life. Her special blessings have been the one on one time with her kids in the evening. Last night she had a special time with Brigitte that meant so much to her. One morning , it was Casey at 4 in the morning!

Each member of the family is treasuring any of this special time that they have.

One of her favorite songs that she listens to on her Ipod is "Imagine" by Mercy Me. One of the lyrical lines says --" I can only imagine, what it will be like, when I walk by your side. I can only imagine what my eyes will see when your face is before me, I can only Imagine.....". its a song about heaven and where she is going. She keeps this always close to her to listen to.
We are praying for the Lord's will for Jill and her walk on this earth. We know the days are numbered, as they are for each of us. But she wants you to know also that God is Faithful and He is with her,.... . Jesus is walking by her side.

Pictures to Share:

1. Tucker our nephew wrote a special note to Aunt Jillie Bean and he drew his first heart. Thank you so much Tucker. Aunt Jillie Bean loves this especially because it is from you.

2. Louie, our brother, Nicky and Jill taking a walk on the floor. It is a special memory for the 4 of us to take this walk together. I am here behind the camera taking the picture.

Thank you for your continued concern and your prayers for our Jill. More tomorrow. Sweet dreams my dear sister.

From Lorette

Dear Brierley Blogger Buddies,

I know from your comments and emails, so many are watching this page. Jill is improving each day a little. Today she ate a popsicle, took a very nice walk; she was able to sit up for a very long period with the Gtube off, and enjoy family time last evening. I was with her in the morning, but she was sleeping most of that time. In the evening when I was back, I walked in to her room, and this is what I saw -- Jill sitting happily with her family all watching a movie together. The family is treasuring this time with her. Thank you for your continued prayers of support and love. We are trying to keep up with all your messages. In His Love, Lorette Harnsberger

Loretteharnsberger@yahoo.com

Hello blogger friends.

Jill had a rough night, but is so much better now. Jill has had to make a transition from the epidural to a new pain med -- don't ask me names --She just gets to push a button and she is relieved. I had a morning time with her, though she slept most of that time. This afternoon, with Brigitte and Kyle and Casey, she was taking a walk, just before I left. The Dr. was pretty upbeat today, that Jill is progressing well from this difficult surgery. Casey will need to update us more on this later.

She is blessed by all the love being shared with her through notes, emails, cards and the comments on this blog. Casey tries to read through them with her. Thank you for all the continued prayers. Anytime we have is a treasure and each day a blessing. She has been saying this for many years now.

Dear Brierley Blogger Family,

At this time, Jill has been having poor sleep and is resting today. The family via my sister Nicky has said no visitors so that she can continue to rest. Keep her in your prayers as the recovery from the surgery has been more difficult these last 2 days.

On one of our family evenings as we were walking around, Bonnie recorded this video. Its was such a random thing, yet Jill was so sure of what she wanted to say.

Listen quietly. I have also her words:

JILL'S VOICE"

HELLO BRIERLEY BLOGGERS
THANK YOU ALL FOR FOLLOWING THIS JOURNEY WITH ME. I LOVE YOU ALL AND I AM GOING TO JUST KEEP JOURNALLING AS LONG AS I CAN. I HAVE MY SISTERS AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS ALL HERE SUPPORTING ME HELPING ME.

I JUST KEEP ThIS THING GOING. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND REMEMBER WE ARE ALL IN GOD'S HANDS AT ALL TIMES.


LOVE YOU GUYS, From Jill.

She asked me to share some scriptures also about this journey. I will update you with this later today. Thank you so much for your prayers and concern. All our Love, Lorette ( Jill's sister) loretteharnsberger@yahoo.com

Dear Brierley Blogger Buddies,

Thank you for your continued prayers and love that you have sent. The family was gathered together again today with Jill. Here she is up to take a walk. She did two rounds today, two times. Amazing -- what a miracle that she is still with us. In this picture she is dressed in her Louis Vutton designer hospital gown, and walking with her entourage. We are running this race together every step of the way.

She sends everyone her love and like the apostle Paul, she sent out a little message.

Phil. 1;3 " I thank my God upon every remembrance of You".

So also Jill treasures all her special friends who have followed her through this journey of cancer. We have a video of this time today, that we will post later, along with Jill's message to everyone. If you post any comments below, Casey or one of the kids will be able to read them to her.

Posted by Lorette

Dear Blogger Buddies,

I can see from emails that people are looking for updates. Right now my understanding is that family is with her, maybe one or two at a time. She is in recovery still and will be for a long while. She continues to be herself and be concerned about everyone around her. Just like Jill. Hmmmmmmmm That's sounds like a new Logo or saying " Just like Jill". So today as I am far away, and I have this access to her blog -- I think about what Jill is like and how she is such a charger -- she really is an amazing and special person who has tons of friends -- Both Jill and Casey have tons of friends. So thank you for your continued love and concern for them.

Jill always like to share a verse or something that has touched her.

So "Just Like JILL", we have a little something to share for you.

When our sister Michy was in a fatal car accident over 30 years ago, the Lord gave me this verse. " Psalm 91" I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in Him will I trust." Jill is truly trusting the Lord with her life.

The picture is from 2 weeks ago, during her 2nd stay in the Hospital. She still looks the same really. Just in bed mostly. Thank you for all the love and concern for Jill and Casey and the family.

Please watch the blog, as you might not get an update email. Its not working all the time at least from my computer. When Jill or Casey are up to it, I am sure they will have another blog update for everyone. You can add your comments at the bottom. We will try to make sure the family gets the messages.

Thank you so much.

Lorette Harnsberger

Loretteharnsberger@yahoo.com

Dear blogger friends,

This update came in from Casey by text. " Jill had a small intestine blockage which was operated on. It may take 2-4 weeks for recovery. They also found that the cancer had spread more than what had shown on the scans, so this type of blockage could happen again. Please pray for her comfort and for a miracle!" -- Casey Via Nicky

From Lorette

Thank you for your continued concerns. I know my sister is not afraid of what the future holds for her. She knows where she is going. The process is the hard part for all of us. Last year she read a book called " 90 minutes in Heaven". It was such a comfort to her to learn about what heaven is like. I know she has told many of you about this book. I did read the book and I was comforted also. We do hope for a miracle of course. Who wouldn't. Yet If Jill could write this blog, she would let you know " I know where I am going!". We will keep you updated as best as we can.

All our love to you,

Loretteharnsberger@yahoo.com

Please check this blog for updates. We will try to do so each day. As we are trying to update from a different email address, some of the emails that Jill would send are not recognizing my email address and it is not going through. Thank you for your calls and emails of true concern for Jill. She knows you are all praying for her.

Dear Brierley blogger buddies,

It's noon and my sister Jill is out of surgery now. She went through surgery as we thought she would. She is in recovery now. They had to cut a section out of the small intestines and resection it. . The family is there, waiting to see her. She will be in recovery for a while. I will update you a bit more shortly. I am getting phone calls now. Keep praying for a miracle, as I know you all are.

From Lorette Harnsberger

loretteharnsberger@yahoo.com

You can call me at home 805 565 0760

I will do my best to answer any questions.

As you can imagine, Jill's family is not able to return calls at this time.

Dear Friends,

Today the good news is that they have found the blockage. -- Jill is feeling better today according to Bonnie. She has walked, had a popscicle, and the medications are helping to stop her upset tummy for a bit. They finally found a blockage in the small intestines which explains why she has been having trouble keeping food down.

The blockage is operable. What they will find in the surgery is still a question but there is some hope. They have talked with the doctor today, and Jill wants to go for it. You all know Jill and she is such a charger! Her family is there now with her. Her surgery is planned for 7:30 tomorrow morning. Please keep her in your prayers today, tonight, and especially tomorrow morning. The recovery from surgery will be 10-14 days.

Anyway, tomorrow, if you think about it... wear something cheerful that reminds you of Jill. Keep her in your hearts and prayers as she goes through this surgery. Also keep her family in your prayers. Casey, Bonnie & Ricky, Sean and Alexis ( Sean's girlfriend) , Kyle, and Brigitte as they gather around her tonight. Nicky, our other sister will also be there along with her husband Tom.

Thank for all your concerns for my sister Jill,

Love,

Lorette Harnsberger

Loretteharnsberger@yahoo.com

Hello Bloggers!! I'm finally able to get on a my computer and give you and update as to what has been going on. But first I want to say thank you so much to all my wonderful friends and family who have shown such love and care in the past few weeks. I have truly felt your love and prayers and they have been an enormous help to me, to Casey and to my kids. You are all amazing and I love each and everyone one of you. The pic is from the last hospital stay, not this one.
Ok, so it started back August 6th at our family reunion as my last post said. I did end up going in a second time the weekend of the 22nd and stayed a few days again in the hospital. August 24th I had chemo and that wasn't so bad because it helped with the growing ascities. The Ascities is what is causing all the problems. Too much fluid in the gut and lung area. This past Monday I was feeling so bad I ended back in the hospital for the third time. This time I'm at John Muir in Concord which is a much better hospital where they can do some real testing and monitoring. I now have an NG tube. It's a tube that goes from my nose down to my throat and into my stomach to relieve all the bile I've been producing. I also have now a TPN line. That is a line that goes into my artery in my arm that give me nutrition. I'll be on that for a few weeks or months I think. A nurse comes to the house each day to help switch the nutrition bag until Casey gets it figured out. It's a lot to deal with because my blood sugar has to be tested every 4 hours along with other stuff. I also had to have an study dye enema today to see what is all the problem. Thank goodness there is no blockage or tumor that is causing the problem, just the ascities as they thought. Truly a blessing. It could have been much worse. So at this point I am still at John Muir and not sure when I'll be home, but I will be home sometime and out walking my dog Kiwi again soon. As I said, thank you again for all your love, prayers and support over these past few weeks. It's been rough but with God right next to me I know I'll be fine no matter what.
2 cor:4:17-18 For our light affliction which is but for a moment works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal but what is not seen is eternal.