[Magdalen] Roland Orr

[Roger Stokes]

I received the following email from Roland's Vicar this afternoon.

"Roly Or's wife Shirley was taken in in May last year with acute anxiety 
and only diagnosed with lung cancer and brain secondaries when she 
collapsed just before their 60th wedding anniversary at Christmas time 
2016. She rallied briefly and ended her days in late May 2017 in a local 
nursing home, with Roly being brought regularly from hospital to visit.

Roly had had a series of falls and was diagnosed with Parkinsons, in 
addition to the weakness from the many strokes he has suffered over the 
years. He moved to a rehab unit just before Shirley's funeral and made a 
great effort to be there and take part.
Immediately after the funeral, Roly returned to the rehab unit but began 
refusing medication. His family recognised that he needed to be at home 
to be able to grieve for his late wife, and so got him home on Tues 11 
July. Roly walked in to his house, and after sitting in a chair for a 
while went to bed. He has not been able to weight bear since Tuesday 
evening and a hospital bed is arriving this afternoon so that carers can 
manage his care better.
Roly is not eating and only taking very small sips of water. He is no 
longer speaking and communicates by small nods or movement of his hand. 
He is however alert and aware of everything around him.

Please remember him in your prayers.
Every blessing
Ruth"

Roger