THE END IS NEAR

To me, Rhonda seems to be slipping away more quickly than before.  She does not seem to be in pain.  She does not really acknowledge the presence of all the family and friends around her.  Mickey said that she feels Rhonda's spirit is making her way to her beloved Great Dane, Emmitt.  Very soon, she will be romping verdant grounds with Emmitt leading the way.  We will miss Rhonda so deeply yet draw comfort from the knowledge that she will be free from the pain of her body.

RHONDA IS GETTING NEW PAIN MEDICATIONS

The Seasons Hospice doctor came to see Rhonda this afternoon.  He has decided to change her medication to morphine for pain, versed for sedation, and zofran for nausea.  All of these will be delivered through IV
for maximum absorption.  We hope she will feel more relaxed and pain-free soon.  She will stay in the hospice inpatient unit for now.  Family and friends continue to visit and provide the loving presence that I think must be one of the best medicines for Rhonda!  Thanks to you all!

For everyone who signed up on the schedule to visit please feel free to come to the inpatient hospice unit to stay with Rhonda.  Your healing energy is so very welcome!

CALL FOR PICTURES FOR THE MEMORIAL

Mickey is in the process of gathering photos to use to make a video-slide show presentation to be used at Rhonda's Celebration of Life.  If you have photographs that you would like to contribute please email them to Mickey at npbarron@comcast.net.

IT'S 3:00 AM...

I just returned to Baltimore on Friday.  It was hard to see Rhonda in so much pain.  Because the pain just couldn't be adequately controlled, Mickey consulted with the Seasons Hospice emergency on-call staff and they decided to move Rhonda to the Seasons Hospice inpatient unit at Northwest Hospital.  She is in Room 1 on Floor 3.  It is likely that she will begin a different pain medication in the morning--possibly to methadone.  She is more comfortable now.

NOT MUCH CHANGE

Mickey said that Rhonda is about the same today.  She was able to sit up for a short while.  She seems comfortable much of the time but needs more pain medications especially if she is being moved.  Mickey believes that moving Rhonda between the chair and the bed may be causing too much pain so she is considering leaving her in the bed from now on.  Mickey has hired some day time help for the future because she was concerned about not having enough help and doesn't want to burden friends and colleagues too much.  This has been a long and difficult journey...

SPA DAY TODAY

Mickey told me that today Rhonda had a good and comfortable day.  Sarah, Mickey's cousin, gave Rhonda a full body massage right there in her hospital bed.  Then, they helped Rhonda stretch out all of her muscles--kind of like yoga in bed.  It was sort of like having a spa day at home.  I imagine this is the first time that Rhonda has had a spa day ever!

Rhonda is not getting out of bed right now.  She recognizes few people--although today she reconized Dr. Efron!.  She rests comfortably most of the time but occasionally needs additional pain medication.

THINGS I NOTICED: PART 2

I continue to reflect upon my experience in Baltimore.  I noticed the intimacy that Rhonda shares with her colleagues.  The devotion that I have seen from the people with whom Rhonda has worked has been truly remarkable. 

I watched Dr. Efron sitting with Rhonda, bathing the room with his gentle calm energy.  I was reminded of the times I heard from Rhonda the wonder that is Dr. Efron:  a man of  wisdom and compassion.  Rhonda, like her mentor, offered to her patients and co-workers compassion and wisdom. 

One day, while sitting with Mickey in Rhonda's ICU room, a woman who worked on the hospital
cleaning team came into the room to tidy up.  She tearfully recounted that Rhonda was the only person in the hospital who had ever asked her what motivated her to do her work.  It was truly touching to hear this woman sharing her experience of Rhonda's compassion--a story that began in 2002.