On Tuesday Valjean took the first steps toward hospice care, meeting with Ken, a nurse from Seasons Hospice. He struck us as an empathetic man, experienced and knowledgeable in his field. He made it clear that home and inpatient hospice are both feasible for VJ, that they are not mutually exclusive, and that neither is an irrevocable choice -- she may move from one to another, as her needs change. No one is pushing her precipitously toward a decision, and we may look into other hospices as well, but I left the discussion feeling significantly more positive about Valjean's options.
Wednesday brought many visitors...after I had left, so I rely here on Kate's report. Among them was Elihu, Valjean's Zen teacher from Champagne, who left her in what Kate describes as "a very placid yet positive, almost joyful mood." Her friends Steve and Lilly also arrived from Canada -- but before they were able to see VJ, Lilly was admitted to the USS Northwestern with a badly infected finger. ("Couldn't they wheel her in here and we can have a pajama party?" asked Valjean.)
I had left Valjean this morning when the physical therapist came in -- I assumed to move her legs around a bit. Would that I had stayed! The grapevine now informs me that in fact the PT got her to stand up and take a couple of steps. Small and stumbling though they were, this may bring her one step closer to home.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
I'm sorry to say I was diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer on December 7, 2007. This journal is to update family, friends and loved ones as this new experience unfolds.
Where do we go from here?
Valjean is gone, but her blog remains. For now, I'll use it to post, one by one, the wonderful eulogies we heard at her memorial mass. After that...who knows?
In lieu of flowers
You are welcome to make a contribution to one of Valjean's favorite not-for-profits: St. Bernard Hospital in Chicago, IL; the Delta Institute in Chicago, IL; the Prairie Zen Center in Champaign, IL; or Knox College in Galesburg, IL.
In lieu of flowers
You are welcome to make a contribution to one of Valjean's favorite not-for-profits: St. Bernard Hospital in Chicago, IL; the Delta Institute in Chicago, IL; the Prairie Zen Center in Champaign, IL; or Knox College in Galesburg, IL.
2 comments:
Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for one step at a time. I will cheer for that. Keep those positive thoughts and prayers a-comin'.
This time I am sending a warm glowing lime green light to surroung you completely with strenghth,hope and healing energy.
Patricia Casey
i am not sure anyone reads this any longer but i would like to thank the VJournal and all her friends for keeping this here. her blog explained steps that my brother is taking now and what to look for and to compare his symptoms, etc. i am sorry for the lost of your sister and friend and grieve for your loss. if you still read, please say prayers for my brother. thank you.
Post a Comment