Robin Gilbert Burns

Robin Gilbert Burns passed away on June 6, 2012 at the age of 57, after a seven and a half year battle with Breast Cancer.

Robin was born and raised in Lincolnton, North Carolina, but has lived in Houston for 31 years. Robin is preceded in death by her father, Hal Gilbert and her brother, Larry Gilbert. She is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Lawrence Burns; her mother, Johnnie Gilbert; and her son, John Burns. She is also survived by her nephew, Matthew Gilbert, and sister-in-law, Vickie Gilbert.

Robin touched the lives of many people. In her work with head-injury patients, she was an extraordinary advocate for her clients, helping them and their families deal with great challenges. One of her coworkers said, “She has always been my mentor...at work and in life. I've often said in situations...what would Robin do?” Robin affected many more people as a Liturgical Musician, playing piano for church services, including many weddings and funerals, since she was 11 years old. Her love of God was reflected in her music, and many people have expressed how deeply Robin moved them through her playing.

Rejoice that Robin is no longer in pain. She is now playing for God with Choirs of Angels.

You can still share stories and thoughts on the CaringBridge “Guestbook” page. This will become a keepsake to remember what Robin has done for so many people. The website is:
            http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/robin_burns

Winding Down -- 06-03-2012

The last entry was on Monday, 5-28-12. At that time, Robin was lucid once in a while. She no longer speaks coherently. When she is awake (mostly, between 10:30 PM until 5:00 AM), Robin speaks in half-sentences, upon which she which she perseverates. Sometimes, she calls for one of us (John, Momma, Larry, or Connie, her attendant for the last four years), yelling the name over and over and over. Robin doesn’t know where she is, what year it is, or her condition. She is constantly asking us to get her up so she can walk. The only thing she seems to recognize is people, especially those of us who are caring for her.

Since Robin is awake all night, we have been trying to take turns staying with her overnight. As you can guess, we don’t get much sleep, when we do. Since John and I are trying to work, Mom (Johnnie) has stayed with Robin most weeknights, so she gets the brunt of it.

As I said, John and I have been trying to work as much as possible. On Tuesday, 05-29-12, after the long weekend, I stayed home a half day because I needed to ask questions of the nurse. I worked Wednesday, and I was planning to work on Thursday, but there was a big change in Robin’s breathing. We thought the end was immanent, but it turned out to be a false alarm. Either effects of nausea medicine or a new phase of her illness apparently caused the symptoms. I guess it doesn’t matter which it was.

Thanks to all who have resisted the urge to visit last week, and to those who have stopped by, but kept the visits very short. Our family needs to focus our time and energy on the care that Robin needs, and we feel the need to spend as much private time as we can with her. Much of what we have to do for Robin is not pleasant and having people around can interfere with that work. We still need your love and support; we just need you to communicate it by another means during this difficult period.

One new way you can show your love and support is through a CaringBridge page that I have established. In particular, some of you have sent me wonderful stories or thoughts about how Robin has affected your lives. I would ask you to post those stories and thoughts on the “Guestbook” page to share with us and everyone else. I hope this will become a keepsake for our family, to remember the good that Robin has done for so many people. The website is:
            http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/robin_burns

Thank you all for your love, prayers, support. Please continue to pray for God’s mercy for Robin and an end to her pain. And please remember to pray for strength for those of us who are caring for her.

Love,
                  --- Larry, Robin, John & Johnnie