In this last of the six posts from her interview, Dr. Bagby closes by expressing blessings on the remainder of Elizabeth's time with us.
Click arrow at bottom of video to view...
This is the last in the series of posts from Elizabeth's interview with Professor of Pastoral Care, Dan Bagby, from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, Va. The intent of all of Elizabeth's posts is to bring a voice to those who are facing an end-of-life situation, to bring dignity, respect, and meaning to one's final months and days. If these posts have expressed meaning to you or one you know, please let Elizabeth know by your response in the comments section below. She looks forward to hearing from you.
Until her next post, Elizabeth desires that the Lord may bless you and keep you.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
How Eizabeth's children are told...
In this fifth of six posts Dr. Bagby asks how Elizabeth's children are being prepared for her death.
Click the arrow at the bottom of the screen to view her response...
In the next post, the sixth and final session of her interview, Dr. Bagby wishes blessings for the remainder of Elizabeth's journey.
Click the arrow at the bottom of the screen to view her response...
In the next post, the sixth and final session of her interview, Dr. Bagby wishes blessings for the remainder of Elizabeth's journey.
How can one be supportive of another with a terminal condition?
In this fourth of six posts from Elizabeth's visit with Pastoral Professor Dan Bagby, they discuss how friends and the church community can be most helpful for someone in Elizabeth's condition.
Click the arrow at the bottom of the video below to witness their conversation...In her next post Elizabeth relates how her children are being approached about her impending death.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Not everyone will understand your decision...
In this third post of six from Elizabeth's interview with Dr. Bagby they discuss the reality that not everyone will understand the decisions one makes regarding the time before their death.
Click arrow at bottom of video screen to see the discussion...
In the next post Elizabeth relates from her experience the appropriate way for friends and the community to respond to someone confronted with terminal disease.
Click arrow at bottom of video screen to see the discussion...
In the next post Elizabeth relates from her experience the appropriate way for friends and the community to respond to someone confronted with terminal disease.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
How Family assists Elizabeth
In this second of six posts from the interview between Elizabeth and Pastoral Professor Dan Bagby, they discuss the role of family in the life of Elizabeth experiencing a terminal diagnosis of leukemia.
Click arrow at bottom of screen to follow the discussion...
Elizabeth welcomes your comments. In her next entry Elizabeth speaks about how one must be free to make their own decisions when faced with end-of-life issues.
Click arrow at bottom of screen to follow the discussion...
Elizabeth welcomes your comments. In her next entry Elizabeth speaks about how one must be free to make their own decisions when faced with end-of-life issues.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Elizabeth sits down with Pastoral Professor Dan Bagby and discusses end of life issues
Shortly before the end of last year, Elizabeth sat down with Minister and Professor of Pastoral Care, Dan Bagby, from Baptist Theological Seminary of Richmond, VA. The interview covered how Elizabeth is dealing with her terminal cancer in the light of her family, friends, church and her two children.
Elizabeth's direct and candid responses are meant to impart a sense of understanding, encouragement and hope for those traveling this same end-of-life path as she is or for ones who are companions to those experiencing their last weeks or months of life.
Dr. Bagby's responses assist in setting Elizabeth's individual experience in the larger human experience we all share of mortality. It is a bridge we shall all cross, but one that can be done with a sense of purpose and dignity for the individual as well as the family and community of which each of us is a part.
Click on the video below to hear about Elizabeth's decision to no longer seek chemotherapy for her advanced Leukemia...
This is the first of six blog posts that cover the discussion Elizabeth had with Professor Bagby. In her next post, Elizabeth discusses how friends and family have assisted her in this time.
Elizabeth's direct and candid responses are meant to impart a sense of understanding, encouragement and hope for those traveling this same end-of-life path as she is or for ones who are companions to those experiencing their last weeks or months of life.
Dr. Bagby's responses assist in setting Elizabeth's individual experience in the larger human experience we all share of mortality. It is a bridge we shall all cross, but one that can be done with a sense of purpose and dignity for the individual as well as the family and community of which each of us is a part.
Click on the video below to hear about Elizabeth's decision to no longer seek chemotherapy for her advanced Leukemia...
This is the first of six blog posts that cover the discussion Elizabeth had with Professor Bagby. In her next post, Elizabeth discusses how friends and family have assisted her in this time.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
A Busy Month of Ups and Downs
It has been both a hectic and celebratory month for Elizabeth and her family since Thanksgiving.
Sickness...
Due to her compromised immunity from her leukemia, Elizabeth contracted Shingles and had to be hospitalized during the infectious stage of the illness. So she spent Thanksgiving in the hospital.
As things would have it though, Elizabeth's father had an episode his doctors referred to as a cardiac event. It was not quite a heart attack, but it alerted them to the fact that he needed triple bypass cardiac surgery. So he underwent surgery and was hospitalized at the same time as Elizabeth. The good news is that both recovered from their hospital stays and are now home.
However, Elizabeth's weekly test results are demonstrating that her body is once again showing signs of the effects of the leukemia. Her hemoglobin and other measures of healthy blood are falling and she is wearing a mask in public to protect her self from acquiring life threatening infections. Her doctors are preparing her to contact hospice within the next few weeks so she will be able to call upon them when the time for their services becomes necessary. But for now it is still experiencing each day as it comes; some pain, some nausea and always tired.
Celebration of Christmas...
Preparation for Christmas has been exciting and exhausting for Elizabeth. Taking out time to find gifts for those whom she cares most, particularly her daughter, Hannah, and her son, Drew. But a wish was granted for Elizabeth, an opportunity to perform her gift as a talented musician. Elizabeth participated in the Service of Rememberence, held at First Baptist Church, Richmond, VA on December 17. The service is for those who have lost loved ones and come together during the holiday time to acknowledge and continue the journey through their grief. It is a significant event, for we all suffer loss at some time in our lives, a journey Elizabeth is coming to know firsthand.
With her mother, father, friends and church members in attendance, Elizabeth performed before the congregation beautifully. It was a true gift from her to others.
Click on the play triangle at the bottom of the video below to see and hear Elizabeth's gift to you.
Drew is 5!
Another celebratory event came on December 29 when Elizabeth's family got together to give Drew, Elizabeth's son, his 5 year old birthday party. Food, friends, balloons, singing happy birthday and, of course, cake were what is was all about. A moment of celebration in the midst of illness.
May the Celebration of the Season be as meaningful to you as it has been for Elizabeth.
Sickness...
Due to her compromised immunity from her leukemia, Elizabeth contracted Shingles and had to be hospitalized during the infectious stage of the illness. So she spent Thanksgiving in the hospital.
As things would have it though, Elizabeth's father had an episode his doctors referred to as a cardiac event. It was not quite a heart attack, but it alerted them to the fact that he needed triple bypass cardiac surgery. So he underwent surgery and was hospitalized at the same time as Elizabeth. The good news is that both recovered from their hospital stays and are now home.
However, Elizabeth's weekly test results are demonstrating that her body is once again showing signs of the effects of the leukemia. Her hemoglobin and other measures of healthy blood are falling and she is wearing a mask in public to protect her self from acquiring life threatening infections. Her doctors are preparing her to contact hospice within the next few weeks so she will be able to call upon them when the time for their services becomes necessary. But for now it is still experiencing each day as it comes; some pain, some nausea and always tired.
Celebration of Christmas...
Preparation for Christmas has been exciting and exhausting for Elizabeth. Taking out time to find gifts for those whom she cares most, particularly her daughter, Hannah, and her son, Drew. But a wish was granted for Elizabeth, an opportunity to perform her gift as a talented musician. Elizabeth participated in the Service of Rememberence, held at First Baptist Church, Richmond, VA on December 17. The service is for those who have lost loved ones and come together during the holiday time to acknowledge and continue the journey through their grief. It is a significant event, for we all suffer loss at some time in our lives, a journey Elizabeth is coming to know firsthand.
With her mother, father, friends and church members in attendance, Elizabeth performed before the congregation beautifully. It was a true gift from her to others.
Click on the play triangle at the bottom of the video below to see and hear Elizabeth's gift to you.
Drew is 5!
Another celebratory event came on December 29 when Elizabeth's family got together to give Drew, Elizabeth's son, his 5 year old birthday party. Food, friends, balloons, singing happy birthday and, of course, cake were what is was all about. A moment of celebration in the midst of illness.
May the Celebration of the Season be as meaningful to you as it has been for Elizabeth.
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