Thoughts About Helen

Good Morning, B,

 

Just a few more thoughts about the healing circle. . .

 

As I mentioned in my phone message, there were

about 15 folks there including Laz, whom I sat next to.

People were crying, on and off, including Laz.  It was

both joyful and sad.  Sometimes we laughed, other times

we cried.  Everyone shared memories of Helen. 

 

Laz told what it was like the last week of life for her.

She'd had stomach pains for about 2 weeks and went to

the doctor for blood tests.  The Tuesday before she died,

they were in bed at 10:30 PM when the phone rang.  It was

her doctor (what Dr. calls someone at 10:30 PM, I thought?)

saying her blood tests showed elevated levels and that they

should go to the ER immediately.  So, they did.

 

It was all downhill from there.  (Figures).  She couldn't

eat, grew weaker and, by Sunday, she slipped into a coma

and died.  (Ma almost did, too!)  Laz said he saw her on

Saturday and told her she was dying.  He said she lost so

much weight (of course, she wasn't eating, and they obviously

weren't feeding her intraveiniously) 

 

He said she told him to never give up and wouldn't agree

with him that she was going.  It sounds like the hospital

just "let her go".  Laz said they were giving her pain killers

(but no food) that's the drill, it seems, in hospitals.  Not good.

 

Laz said they met at the University of Rochester.  Wonder if

they're both from NY?  She was 61 (going on 62 in Oct) and

he's a year older.  She was Phi Beta Kappa at college and very

creative---could play the flute, taught herself Spanish in her 50's,

made pottery, sewed her wedding gown and his vest to match,

loved animals, always took ants or bees or flies out rather than

smack them, and had a variety of friends.  Very kind-hearted,

warm, gracious and tenacious woman.  That was Helen.

 

She will be deeply missed.

 

Luv,