11 Nov Remembrance On Veterans Day
Today happens to be Veterans Day and it reminds me of my father, his ceremony, and this previous weekend...
10 Nov Eulogy: 3 Stories & Parables My Father Left Me
Yesterday, Saturday, November 9th, was the funeral services and visitation for my father. Between the hours of 11-1 many people from the various chapters of my father's life stopped to pay their respect, share their stories, and to say their final good-byes to my father. Then at 1pm, everyone congregated, and the ceremony started. We proceeded up to the front of the church. My father was placed front and center of the alter, baptismal candle lit,...
07 Nov Patient Experience Day 43: A Breath of Fresh Air
I awake this morning and begin it as any other day. I turn the clock on my phone off and set it to silent. I begin to get ready. I check the news, twitter, and what my calendar looks like for the day. I go back to check my phone and notice that I have a missed call. It is from my mother. Time stamp: 6:35 am. I call my mother and she answers. Her voice is...
06 Nov Patient Experience Day 42: The Calm
Today I received a call around 8:55am from my mother. I was driving on my way to work. I had just finished saying my morning Rosary for my father. I could feel my heart begin to race. I answer the phone. My mother says, "How are you?" I answer, "Fine. How's dad?" My mother responds, "After you left last night dad stopped being restless. He slept the entire night. He was calm. He's been calm all morning long....
05 Nov Patient Experience Day 41: Restless Frustration
I spent half of Monday at work and then I spent the rest of the day working from my parents home. My mother was able to leave the home, go to a few appointments, and run and errand or two. I stayed and worked remotely, taking calls, emails, and working on a few ideas for an up coming meeting. As 3:30pm approached I went into the kitchen and open the cabinet where all of my fathers medication...
04 Nov Patient Experience Day 39 & 40: Dreams, Depends, & Drama
This past weekend I spent parts of Saturday and Sunday with my mother and father. My mother had specifically asked me to come over on Saturday due to a few of my fathers relatives coming to visit. She just needed the additional emotional support. During the visit, my mothers sister, husband, and her four children and their significant others all stopped over as well. As soon as my Godmother (mom's sister) entered the house she was...
02 Nov Patient Experience Day 38: Restlessness
My phone went off at 12:01 pm today as I was in the middle of a virtual business review. It was from my mother and it simply read: CALL ME. My heart began to race, my mind went dark, and all I could think about was getting off the damn review and calling my mother. The clock seemed to tick away for the next 29 minutes. I hopped off and called my mother immediately. When she answered her...
31 Oct Patient Experience: A Big Slice Of Humble Pie
While at work today I happen to have the chance to sit with two members of the leadership I report into (I live in a complex matrix) and gave them an update on my father. I have to say they have all be very understanding, accommodating, and willing to give me the time I need to spend with my father and mother. It has been wonderful to be there with my father for his appointments, help...
30 Oct Patient Experience Day 36: Hospice Happy
When I arrived at my parents home this evening and walked in things seemed to be peaceful. I entered and my mother greeted me at the door. I asked her how she was doing. She looked at me and said, "I am good. Today was a good day. Your father really liked the pastor and I got the nurse I wanted." I proceeded to walk into the living room. My father was lying back in his...
30 Oct Patient Experience Day 35: Test, Text, Tweets, & Tears
Today I happen to be in a business meeting when my phone goes off. It is 2:16 pm CST. I know my father is at the medical oncologists office for his weekly appointment, labs, and preparation for his weekly infusion. It is my mother and her message reads: AT MEDICAL ONCOLOGISTS GIVING DAD AN IV TO HYDRATE, CALLING HOSPICE FOR BOWELS & ANXIETY. ALSO DOING URINE FOR INFECTION. My reply: SO HE DECIDED TO STOP TREATMENT? No response...