Boy, what a difference! I had my first care conference at exactly 3 weeks of residency. We (my husband and I) met with the social worker, physical therapist, chaplain, and nurse manager to discuss my care. They covered every aspect of my care: building a comprehensive and detailed care plan, how I was socializing, the spiritual portion of my life, recreation opportunities, how I'm doing physically, and what do I need going forward. Not once did they mention money. Not once did they verbally bash on me.
I think about my friend, Kate Struby, who died from this horrible disease in 2013. She lived here at Bailey Boushay House before I did. I reached out to Kate online through FaceBook because I loved her photograph with her head thrown back in laughter. I also loved her posts. I guess I just loved her spirit. I got to finally meet her one month before she died. I happened to be at the University of Washington Medical Center for my quarterly appointment when I saw her FaceBook post. She was awake and in the medical ICU. She was a mere few floors down. I would not be stopped. Relativeor no, I would meet my FaceBook friend. Thank God I did. I rolled into the room to find a beautiful, ethere.al woman flanked by two friends. Although it was an impromtu visit, she said she knew me immediately.I was in awe of her with her fiery spirit despite the ravages of our shared disease. She, unable to lift even a finger, lifted my spirit.
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