There are moments that the seriousness and the certainty and the finality of our situation slam into my consciousness and I weep. The weeping only lasts for a moment, but I wonder what will happen after Marv’s gone. Will I weep oceans? He continually reminds me I’ll do fine. Well, big deal. What does he …
God’s Grace #14: Dying Naturally
I feel alone as the spouse of someone living with Stage IV small cell lung cancer who has chosen not to seek treatment. I’ve found no one in the exact same boat of uncertainty, so I have no one with whom to share my anxiety of when our “untreated” situation will change and what that …
Nurses Give Hope Through Stories
Thank you, Marianna, for pointing out the HOPE that nurses give. We are finding that very true with our hospice nurse from Avera@Home. She listens to our apprehensions, helps minimize concerns, and encourages us to take our trips and live life as normally as we can. We are thankful!
Crossroads Hosts Book Signing of Caring Lessons – Nurses Week, 2018
Crossroads, 1220 W. 41st Street in Sioux Falls, will be hosting a book signing of Caring Lessons: A Nursing Professor's Journey of Faith and Self on Saturday, May 12, from 10 to 11:30am. May 12 is the final day of Nurses Week and Florence Nightingale's birthday. The owner asked that I publicize my book signing to …
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God’s Grace #13: Denial Won’t Work Anymore
*** “I couldn’t do what you’re doing,” we hear frequently, referring to my husband’s decision to forgo cancer treatment. It’s not been too hard so far because Marv’s been “normal.” But that changed last week when he sprouted his first new nodule since the one removed on January 23 that led to his diagnosis of …
God’s Grace #12: Time with Old Friends
“Be open to God’s work in your lives,” our minister said Sunday. He concluded by saying don’t put God in a box. When we stood in line to shake his hand after church, I said Marv’s continued good health reminds me that God is not in a box. God is working outside of any box …
God’s Grace #11: Another Hug Tour…
We spent a week on the road, traveling southeast to Missouri, Kentucky, and Indiana and visiting several nieces, nephews, and friends. Marv drove all 2000 miles. I came home worn out, while Marv still had his usual energy. Looking back a week later, I remember all the warm conversations and laughter. But I also think …
God’s Grace #10: Given “Extra” Time
When I was a psychiatric nursing grad student in the 80s, I did a clinical practicum on an oncology unit. As I live through our "waiting game" now, I remember what one of my patients said to me. He'd been given six months to live and had outlived his six months. "I've said good bye …
Eighth Blogging Anniversary
WordPress notified me today that I started this blog eight years ago. I remember the day precisely. I’d just heard a favorite writing teacher, Helen Gallagher, tell our group that if we had a book coming out, we must start a blog at least six months ahead of time to help establish a platform. I’d …
God’s Grace #9: A Writing Respite
Yesterday, I got excited about writing again while reading an article on the Books page of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. John McPhee, winner of the Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded by the National Books Critic Circle, defined creative nonfiction as “not making something up but making the most of what you have.” I love …
Write Along with Me 