{the abbey}
Greetings my Sweetest of Hearts...
I remember when I bought my very first issue of Artful Blogging in Baltimore, Maryland. I was at the inner harbor Barnes & Noble & had no idea what a blog even was. Flipping through the beautiful pages, I was so taken with the photography & stories of the amazing women that were featured.
I knew in that moment that I had found a community of Kindred Spirits...
I could NEVER have imagined the journey we would take together.
From Texas to Johnny, Junk Gypsy's & Magnolia Pearl, Digital Design & Jewelry Design, my path has been filled with unexpected forks in the road, not knowing where the next turn may take me.
I find I'm on a journey filled with Life's Lessons & the true test is to learn from them & share what I have gleaned.
This morning I met with a beautiful soul from St. Anthony's Hospice to sign the paperwork for Johnny. She was full of wisdom & answered so many questions I had about this life choice I was about to make for my brother. I love their Hospice Concept:
Hospice is not a place; it is a concept of care for those who have life-limiting illnesses. Even when medicine cannot provide a cure, it can offer comfort, care, & assistance that maintain a better quality of life for the patient. This type of attention, called palliative care, involve the aggressive treatment of physical & emotional pain & symptoms. It focuses on enhancing a patients comfort & improving that person's quality of life.
Hospice affirms life & neither hastens nor postpones the end of life. It is predicated on the belief that through sensitivity, appropriate care, & the support of a caring community, terminally ill patients & their families can begin to prepare, mentally & spiritually, to face the inevitable challenges ahead.
I am at complete PEACE with this decision & am sharing this concept with you so that if you are ever in need of it, you won't be as scared of it as I was.
Knowledge is Power & Knowledge can bring Peace.
Thank you Sweet Hearts, for holding my hand as I travel through my life's journey...
you can never know what comfort you have been for me.
I am Smiling...
XOXO
vintagesusie
22 comments:
Keep on smiling dear girl, you and Johnny are in our thoughts and prayers. The Olde Bagg, Linda
ahhhh. blessings to you, my friend!
xoxoxo
lynn
Hospice workers are angels who make the final moments of life bearable for those who are ill and their loved ones. This is a hard time for you and I will keep you and Johnny in my thoughts. Ann
Hospice helped my Dad's last days and I am forever grateful to them. God Bless you and Johnny as you take this path.
I am so thankful you have come to this place my friend, and that you are at peace with your decision. God bless you Susie...
I am so happy for you and the peace you have found for yourself and for Johnny. I think Hospice is a gift given when we need it most. I have a friend, Amy, who is struggling right now with the imminent loss of a loved one. I'm going to give her the link to your post and hope she is able to find some peace in your words.
Your journey has inspired me to begin my own and I will be forever grateful.
Hugs,
Susan
I gave you all my wisdom on this subject in the last post & during our phone conversation... Let go & let God... Know I'm there with you in spirit sweet Susie Pearl! HUGS!
Charlene
You have such a great soul Susie. I haven't known you for a long time but when I met you your smile showed me who you really are. Peace is good. Ciao Rita mammabellarte
I send you and Johnny peaceful thoughts and prayers
Susie,
We lost a friend to breast cancer yesterday and a dear friend is "ushering her thirty-seven year old son out of this life as she ushered him in" so this all feels so close to what life is for Jud and I right now. I will add to that, Jud finishes his radiation tomorrow and we head home for more chemo, then come back for a decision on whether he will qualify for surgery or not. We talk about these kinds of decisions a lot. Compassionate end-of-life care is what hospice is all about. Whether at home or at a location, it is a beautiful concept and (in my experience) a calm and happy place.
You are so in my thoughts and prayers, Susie. Your journey is not easy right now and mine isn't either but no one said we got to choose, right? It is what it is (hate that trite statement but it fits) and we will muddle through and hopefully gain something in the process.
Love to you!
Suz
I've heard nothing but good about Hospice and am amazed at the strength and compassion of the people who volunteer for this organization. I'm glad they were able to answer your questions and lift the burden of your concerns. Now the rest is in God's hands.
You are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Sweet Susie,
I truly believe Hospice care givers are angels on earth. They were there with us during the last few weeks of my grandfather's life. They not only took care of him, but us as well. They brought not only meds, but dignity to his final days. They held our hands and helped us face what was a extremely difficult time. I cannot say enough good things about this organization.
You have made the wisest, most compassionate and loving decision for Johnny. God gave you a gift by allowing you to find him now and He will continue to provide strength and wisdom in the days ahead. Blessings to you sweet friend.
Debbie
Be at peace and know you are loved
Oh Susie I know what you are going through. I met a few angels during the final hours of my Mom's life. Hospice seemed like such a scary word but I learned it was more like comfort, to say the least. I send you a warm hug and will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Susie, You and your brother are in my thoughts often and I wish you continued strength and peace as you walk with him in his last days..."be still and know that I am God"... Hugs and smiles, Julie
We had hospice for my father during what would become his last week. We had an amazing nurse, who really put my dad at ease. I am forever grateful to the Hernando-Pasco Hospice of Spring Hill, Florida. It really takes very special individuals to work in the hospice environment. You have made a wonderful decision for Johnny.
Aw hugs to you - I know it must have been a hard decision but their definition of hospice is excellent.
Susie ~ I am sending you a heartful of prayers and a pocket full of wishes along with you on this journey. Sure sounds like you and Johnny are in good good hands. <3 Katie
You are an inspiration to us all Susie. I am so amazed when I read your posts about your brother. You are such a brave and positive person, I love your strength. I am so glad they could give you some comfort. Riki xoxo
I know how hard it is to make a decision like this. We had hospice for my sister and my mom and they were truly angels. It's almost a year since I lost my mom (my sister passed 3 years ago from breast cancer) and her hospice still calls to check on our family. God Bless You through this time.
I appreciate the hospice concept also, Susie. It really helped my husband and I as we were with his mother during her last days here. I am keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers...XO
what a brave and thoughtful girl you are. thinking of his needs and comfort. take care.
blessings,
aimee
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