[Magdalen] Palliative Care

[James Handsfield]

Marcy and I had our inaugural visit with Kaiser Permanente Georgia’s palliative care team - this one an hour and a half.  The team is a physician, a registered nurse, a social worker/therapist, a chaplain, and a pharmacist (pharmacist did not attend today’s meeting).  The team will most likely be with us for the rest of Marcy’s life, including providing home hospice care when that need arises.

It was a good visit, mostly just getting acquainted with everyone, us with them and they with us.

Marcy admitted a couple of things today:  1) she feels very badly about getting weaker and weaker (no surprise there); 2) she has asked friends to pray for her death.  

I was asked what secret I had for a successful marriage.  I said that when Marcy and I made our marriage vows, we meant them.  It took me aback when a friend mentioned she was a bit surprised that I stayed with Marcy after her diagnosis.  I could only say it took no thought at all because I meant what I said.  Love is an act of will, and I do and will love Marcy.  I will face Marcy’s death with both grief and relief - I think.  But in reality, I think nothing will really prepare my for her death.  The chaplain commented that in Hebrew, love is an action verb.

Once again, thanks for reading and thank you all for your prayers.

-----------------
Thinking one can behave their way into heaven is an insult to the very foundation of salvation.

Jim Handsfield
jhandsfield at att.net