A Decision was made

Dear friends and family,

Events are unfolding very fast. Early on Thursday morning, Janet decided that her prospects for a meaningful recovery and fair to good quality of life while withstanding the rigors of aggressive chemotherapy were poor. She opted to accept a palliative treatment with home hospice. Aleta, George Walter, and I tearfully agreed with her.
She told me this morning at 9:30 am and she was at peace that she had made the decision. I had anticipated it and told her last night that we would support whatever she wished to do. I did not get specific, but she understood. Physicians and counselors had informed us of the options.
She was strong and brave this morning as she told me of her choice. I broke down. She is stronger than me. With her this morning were Joan Chouili, Carol Handwerker and Robin Blendell. Joan and Robin are nurses. They calmed her after she made the decision and told her what to expect. She no longer has the uncertainty and fear of the unknown.
Janet knows that fate has dealt her a terrible hand. She put up a valiant fight but we cannot allow her to endure additional misery in the interest of simply prolonging life at a poor quality.
So tonight I am working to decide on which of two hospice care centers to utilize. I have been told they are both excellent and Janet will be in good hands. We hope she will make it to this point, but nothing is certain.
Janet regressed and was in considerable pain in the late afternoon and early evening, but now that palliative care and hospice treatment has been elected, the medications will be ramped up and adjusted to whatever level is needed to make her comfortable.
The immediate family is collecting. My brother James is here now from Boston and Janet's brother is driving down tomorrow from Hartford with Janet's mother. Cindy will be coming in from California early next week.
Please do not rush to the hospital on Friday. She needs peace and rest and she has good company. Tonight (Thursday-Friday), Aleta and Carol are staying with Janet. She will have family or a special friend with her at all times. Colleen Hood and Carol Handwerker are helping me with arrangements.
Janet will receive the sacramet of the Annointing of the Sick at noon on Friday.
We hope that she will regain enough strength to be able to come home over the weekend or early next week for professional home care hospice aid. I will take time off from work on an extended basis and have some hospice professional help at home.

So we all are saddened by this turn of events, but Janet is at peace with her decision. God bless you all and it is not too late for prayer and peaceful thoughts.

george sr.