Without a Manual

     I have some exciting news to share about my mom's book, Without a Manual... It's finally been published, and is available for sale!

     In addition to many posts from this blog, for the book my mom wrote some additional posts. I also wrote the final chapter of the book, wrapping up the ending of my mom's story. Many of her dear friends also contributed their words to the book - I may be biased, but I think the combined efforts are a beautiful tribute to my mom's life.

     My mom and I had decided that we would like 50% of the proceeds of the book to be donated to charity. I had the idea that the charity would change on a quarterly basis, and I will be updating that information as it comes up.

     Currently, the book is available for sale through the publisher - this is the best route regardless, as a higher percentage of royalties is achieved that way. A higher portion of the proceeds coming to me means, essentially, that a higher amount can be donated to charity. Paperbacks and hardcover books can be purchased through the publisher, FriesenPress, and I have been told by friends who have already made purchases that the book is available as an eBook on the kobo store and the iTunes bookstore. I haven't received much information about eBook availability, but will update once I know more.

     The book through the publisher is $16.99CAN for a paperback, and $22.99CAN for a hardcover. 

     In the coming weeks, the book will also be made available on Amazon and other online retailers. Again, when they are available through those avenues I will post more information about it.

     Thank you to all the readers of my mom's blog, Without a Manual, for your support over the years - both in times when my mom was still with us and when she wasn't. I know she appreciated all the positive thoughts sent our way immensely, as do I.

     I am so proud of the beautiful book she put together. It can be purchased at http://www.friesenpress.com/bookstore/title/119734000013246088.

Thank you,
Suzanna

A Long Time Coming...

It's been quite a long process, and I'm sure many of you have been anxiously watching for news about the book, Without a Manual. I'm glad to announce that the final forms have been submitted this morning, and the book should be for sale in a few short weeks. I'm finally able to bring to fruition the book that my mom dreamed of, and I could not be more excited to see the final product.

Thank you for sticking with me through the creation of this beautiful piece of work. I'll update you when it's officially available for purchase!

A delayed post from September...

Wrote this in mid-September and wanted to share it with you on the blog here.

Feeling a little introspective tonight, and just wanted to share this...

I'm in the process of reviewing the edits made by the publisher of my mom's book. For anyone who wasn't aware, her blog "Without a Manual" is being turned into a book - including her entries, a few special ones she wrote to include in the book, contributions from some very special people in her life, and the final chapter written by me.

Going through her entire time of writing (which ended up being almost four and a half years) has been emotional to say the least, and I'm just over halfway through. Reading her writing, however, makes me feel closer to her than I have since she passed. One minute she is making me cry, and the next I'm laughing out loud, much to the alarm of the two cats. It makes me feel like she's here with me again, talking to me through her writing.

It reminds me that as hard as it has been to lose her, I feel like the luckiest person in the world to have had to opportunity to love her and be loved by her. She's my role model, and I couldn't think of a better one. I'm so thankful to her for leaving this body of work behind, and I see it primarily as a gift to me. Any happiness it brings to others is just a bonus.

Basically, I just wanted to share how excited I am for this book to finally come to fruition (I know it's been a long time in the making, with many delays), and to share with you how much joy my mom has given me, even after her passing.

Thank you for continuing to check in on the blog, I'm hoping I'll have a solid date to give for the release of the book soon!

- Suzanna

Without A Manual book

Thank you all for continuing to check my mother's blog - the "final chapter" is in progress, and I will be posting on this blog to let you know about the official release date of the book. 

Keep an eye out, and thank you all for your continued support!

- Suzanna

Death Notice for Sandy Trunzer

I’m gone; a good number of you reading this will have known that it wouldn’t be much longer. I took care of that quite publicly by participating in the CBC documentary “Last Right”. Here’s hoping that the end was as peaceful as we’d hoped.

Harder than anything I could ever have imagined was to leave behind my sweet daughter Suzanna, who put her education on hold to take care of me in my final months. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is. It’s been the highest privilege imaginable to be her mother; I suspect that she’ll feel the same way about her own children one day.

Also with me at the end was my dear friend Sue. Perhaps not a sibling by blood, but as close as one could come to being the perfect sister without sharing DNA. Other good friends stuck by us through the tough parts, I couldn’t have asked for better companions on the last leg.

Also survived by my mother, Karin, and my brother Oliver (Kelcina) and their children Allyson and Kristian.

My thanks go to my wonderful and amazing medical/support team. In particular Dr. Ho Ping Kong,  Lorelei Cornish, Dr. Mathur, Dr. Downar, Dr Grossman, nurses Annelies and Cynthia. Nurses at TGH MSICU, Baycrest Hospital Palliative Unit 6W, Dee Kearns/ volunteers (especially my angel Jane), Wellspring (Halton) and Dale Massender.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to one of the following: the CEEP team at TGWH Foundation (416-340-4430), Baycrest Foundation (Palliative Unit 6W) 416-785-2875,                     TGH/TWH foundation "Palliative Care Research” (Fund 5790 6090 0773 ) 416-340-4430

Cremation and a private ceremony have taken place.

If you would care to share a memory with my daughter, please email her at sandytrunzerstories@gmail.com. Embarrassing tales are okay, she should know that her mother was just as goofy before her arrival as after!

For those who followed my blog Without a Manual, the book will be out in a few months. A portion of the proceeds will go to some very special organizations.

Suzanna – thank you for choosing me, the best birthday gift I ever received. What a ride you and I have shared.

CBC Final Segment

For those of you following the entire series of “Last Right”, the fourth segment will air this evening on The National – featuring viewer responses.

In the next few days there’s a possibility of an on-line discussion, if energy permits I hope to participate.

Here’s a link to an on-line magazine (comments welcomed) created by CBC at:

http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2013/12/assisted-suicide-in-canada-your-stories.html

For anyone wishing to view my and Suzanna’s segment from last week please visit:

http://www.cbc.ca/thenational/indepthanalysis/lastright/index.html

Thanks again for the support coming our way, I’m amazed by how many friends from my past have reached out. It’s been quite a week!

Thank You

Thank you for watching our story on last night’s episode of the “Last Right” documentary on CBC.

We thank you for your support, we thank you for listening with an open heart, we thank you for the many, many personal notes that have had us smiling, laughing and crying.

We thank you for letting us know that whether you’re friend or stranger, you care about the rest of our journey.

Warmly,

Sandy and Suzanna

 

If you haven’t yet seen the episode, you can find it here:

http://www.cbc.ca/thenational/indepthanalysis/lastright/index.html

(and thank you to the many who have shared this link with others).