Diary of a Brain Tumor Patient's Wife

Jan. 11, 1999


Renette Davis

This is a message that I sent to Ellen Rosendale, who is a social worker at the University of Chicago Hospital. She led a caregivers support group, which I attended for several months.

Ellen,

I wanted to let you know that I will not be at the support group meeting today since I am now on family medical leave from work. Paul had an MRI last week and the tumor is growing again. It seems like he is declining very quickly, so I decided I really want to be at home with him.

I contacted the doctor's office out here to see what I need to do to learn about home health or Hospice, figuring we would need it pretty soon. Within a day someone from Hospice came to the house and explained everything to us. It's a wonderful program and we have already signed up.

I have also called the local hospital to see when their caregiver support group meets, and the woman from Hospice said they would have a volunteer come and stay with Paul so I can go to the meeting. I expect too to get a lot of help from friends and neighbors.

Please tell everybody in the support group "Hi" from me and let them know they are all in my thoughts and prayers. I have really appreciated being part of the group. I think it was someone from that group who said something that really helped me through Christmas. Something about not thinking about whether this is Paul's last Christmas but just enjoying it with him. We did have a wonderful Christmas and I am so thankful for that.

Thanks for all your help and support. I'll keep you posted.

Continue to: Jan. 13, 1999

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Created: June 7, 1999
Last updated: July 20, 2010