It was a happy occasion, a family wedding that we would be attending except for one concern: my husband, John, woke with a very yellow complexion. He seemed to feel OK, so we carried on to the wedding.
Many people noticed his colour was strange, so on the last day coming home, we went directly to the hospital in 100 Mile House.
The doctor on duty did the usual blood work and determined John should be scheduled for ultrasound and scope in Williams Lake.
Things were moving very quickly, but the scope exam seemed to take forever. I sat very nervously awaiting the outcome. I heard the door in front of me open and a tall, nice looking doctor stood with a serious look. The next few words that he spoke changed our lives forever: “I believe your husband has pancreatic cancer.”
John was admitted and that evening the doctor came by to see him and discuss some options. If the cancer was contained, he would operate and remove a large area surrounding the affected area.
One week from diagnosis John was operated on and it was successful. Weeks of recovery time lay ahead of us, and eventually in January 2004, he was released to go home.
In September 2004, John was scheduled for another checkup, but this time it was not the news we were hoping for. The cancer was back and this time it had spread.
John kept positive even when feeling lousy taking the chemo.
By January 2005, he developed a clot in his leg and he was admitted into palliative care. I had no family here, but I had good friends to help me at home. I basically lived and slept in the hospital and was thankful for the wonderful staff, compassionate doctor and the hospice advisor who helped me walk through the last of John’s journey.
Hospice staff was helpful in so many ways. If required, they would sit with John. They also would relieve me to do errands or go home to take care of myself and the house.
I was so thankful that hospice was able to guide me in a gentle way to take the necessary steps for the final arrangements.
Hospice is an amazing group of people who are able to give comfort and relief to families going through a very difficult time. They deserve our thanks and support.
Anonymous
National Hospice Palliative Care Week was May 3-9 with the theme of getting people to talk about the importance of hospice palliative care. 100 Mile and District Hospice Palliative Care Society is increasing the awareness of our local services this month.
We have asked some people, who have received hospice services here, to share a bit about their personal experiences.
– Tracy Haddow, Hospice program director-manager of volunteers