Valjean took the midnight special last night -- OK, it was only 10:30 -- and is now comfortably ensconced in the Palliative Care Unit on the 16th floor of the new Prentice building at Northwestern. This morning I watched her devour French toast, pay a couple of bills, and try to comb her hair under the elastic band of her oxygen mask -- each act a moment to cherish.
She has a fabulous view of the lake, from which I expect she'll be able to see the regatta on Wednesday and, if we can twist the bed around a bit, the fireworks on Thursday. But those are future events, and what the-girl-who-lives-in-the-moment focused on was the sight of three trees growing on the unprotected balcony of a high-rise to the northeast.
Mary was present later in the day for a meeting with Korey, the unit's social worker. Korey told VJ and Mary that of all the options we had discussed, three (skilled nursing facility, L-TAC, and the Rehab Institute's cancer program) are not appropriate for various reasons. A fourth, home hospice, may not be feasible because of her acute oxygen needs. The fifth is inpatient hospice.
Korey recommended Seasons Hospice at Lincoln Park Hospital, because it's good and because it's flexible: they accept patients for a variety of reasons -- including acute symptom management (her severe shortness of breath) as well as end-of-life. Thus it might be a place she could go and stay till the end. She very much doesn't want to move.
Mary and Kate went there this afternoon, separately, to check it out. It's on one floor of a 1970s building -- the old Grant Hospital, I believe -- and the rooms are small but clean. It would be a major change from the spacious and modern accommodations of the past few weeks, "institutional" in a very different way, but both of our intrepid reporters had good encounters with the staff.
Someone from Seasons will come to the hospital on Tuesday to evaluate whether Valjean meets their criteria. There remains the question of whether they meet hers. At least two of us will be at this meeting for support. Do not call us trees.
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2 comments:
these updates are beautifully written and charming and informative and so good to know...thank you as always.
I can't wait to see the new digs...and to hear more about where VJ will show up next.
Sallie
Valjean,
when I look at the photos of you and the dolphins, I am blown away. The expression"...a picture is worth a thousand words" sums up my sense that all of a sudden you are going to come bopping down the street doing cartwheels. Your blog may state otherwise but I am holding onto the idea that this is a temporary setback and sometime in the near future all of the positive thoughts and prayers that are coming your way are going to kick in and voila you will be up dancing out of the room and onto the street celebrating good times.
I am sending a warm glowing light to surround, envelope and strengthen you.
Patricia Casey
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