In case the news hasn't already reached you, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you that our beloved Myron passed away yesterday, just before 5:30 am. I had stayed at the hospital with him for the night, and I was by his side as he left this earth and passed on. I am feeling totally bereft and at a loss without him, and yet at the same time I am so thankful that his suffering is over and he is now at rest.
I know many people will be wanting to know about the funeral arrangements, so I am posting a link here to the obituary and funeral details. http://forestlawnmemorial.sharingmemories.ca/site/Myron-Dennis.html?s=40
I know we are all saddened at the loss of such a good man. His life may have been a whole lot shorter than any of us would have wished for him, but he definitely left his mark on this world. Over the past 24 hours I have received so many phone calls, text messages and Facebook messages, all expressing such sadness and yet such love. The tributes to Myron on Facebook speak volumes as to what a well-loved man he was.
On behalf of my family (and the entire Dennis and Sanderson families), I would like to thank you all for all the outpourings of prayers, love and support we have received from you during this past difficult year. You all helped to make what was a very difficult situation just a little bit better.
with love always,
Wendy (& family)
Friday, 30 January 2015
Monday, 26 January 2015
Greetings,
To those of you who haven't already heard the sad news, I must let you know that I admitted Myron to the Palliative Care ward at Victoria Hospital on Saturday morning. I had hoped to keep Myron at home and care for him here until the end, but it was his choice that he go into hospital. He has been very agitated and frightened and he felt that he would be "safer" in the hospital. So, I followed his wishes and admitted him as soon as there was a bed available.
Myron's condition continues to decline and he has virtually no quality of life at the moment. He is still conscious and he does spend a large part of the day sitting up, but he is bedridden and he rarely speaks. He spends most of his time sitting with his eyes closed, drifting in and out of sleep. He knows he is dying, in fact he has mentioned repeatedly that he wishes it would just be over, but he is so very frightened. His anxiety is high and he sighs constantly. Myron's memory is pretty much gone and he is confused about most things. He has awareness that this is so, and this depresses him even further. I really have no idea how much longer he has to live, but it definitely isn't very long.
I have not included any photos of Myron here because I know there are people who prefer to remember Myron as he was and not as he is now. I have taken some photos of him, and if family members wish to have them I will send them at a later date.
I am spending all day, every day at the hospital with Myron, only coming home to sleep. If you would like to contact me, please feel free to text me on my cell phone (519-697-7527) or message me through Facebook (which I can also pick up on my cell phone), and I will answer you as soon as I possibly can. I would prefer you not phone me as I am sitting there in the room with Myron, and while he is unresponsive, he can still hear and I don't want to upset him further by talking about his condition in his presence. If anyone does wish to visit Myron, he is in Room C6-210 at the Westminster Campus of Victoria Hospital.
Please continue your prayers for his comfort and peace. I thank you all for your love and support during this past difficult year, and I will keep you informed as best as possible.
love always,
Wendy
To those of you who haven't already heard the sad news, I must let you know that I admitted Myron to the Palliative Care ward at Victoria Hospital on Saturday morning. I had hoped to keep Myron at home and care for him here until the end, but it was his choice that he go into hospital. He has been very agitated and frightened and he felt that he would be "safer" in the hospital. So, I followed his wishes and admitted him as soon as there was a bed available.
Myron's condition continues to decline and he has virtually no quality of life at the moment. He is still conscious and he does spend a large part of the day sitting up, but he is bedridden and he rarely speaks. He spends most of his time sitting with his eyes closed, drifting in and out of sleep. He knows he is dying, in fact he has mentioned repeatedly that he wishes it would just be over, but he is so very frightened. His anxiety is high and he sighs constantly. Myron's memory is pretty much gone and he is confused about most things. He has awareness that this is so, and this depresses him even further. I really have no idea how much longer he has to live, but it definitely isn't very long.
I have not included any photos of Myron here because I know there are people who prefer to remember Myron as he was and not as he is now. I have taken some photos of him, and if family members wish to have them I will send them at a later date.
I am spending all day, every day at the hospital with Myron, only coming home to sleep. If you would like to contact me, please feel free to text me on my cell phone (519-697-7527) or message me through Facebook (which I can also pick up on my cell phone), and I will answer you as soon as I possibly can. I would prefer you not phone me as I am sitting there in the room with Myron, and while he is unresponsive, he can still hear and I don't want to upset him further by talking about his condition in his presence. If anyone does wish to visit Myron, he is in Room C6-210 at the Westminster Campus of Victoria Hospital.
Please continue your prayers for his comfort and peace. I thank you all for your love and support during this past difficult year, and I will keep you informed as best as possible.
love always,
Wendy
Saturday, 17 January 2015
Hello to all our family and friends,
Tomorrow it will be three weeks since Myron came home from the hospital. It hasn't been an easy three weeks by any means, but we are still so glad that he is back home. Myron continues to constantly get weaker, but he still does get up and around a little bit, going from his bed to the table for his meals, to the washroom, and occasionally to sit in the recliner - all with the aid of his walker. He sometimes forgets to take his walker, but the doctor has requested that he use it all the time, because there is a fear that as he get progressively weaker he could fall and hurt himself, and also I am uncertain that I have the strength to get him up if he does fall.
As the days go by I find that Myron is spending more and more of his time in bed, usually sleeping or at least drifting in and out of sleep. We now have nurses coming in daily to check his overall condition, his vital signs, and how well he is eating, drinking, etc. The doctor is also coming out for a visit 2-3 times per week to keep on top of Myron's medical condition and order any increases, changes etc. in Myron's medications. The Fragmin (blood thinner) that Myron was taking has now be permanently discontinued. While this does leave the possibility open for another blood clot, the doctor believes that this danger is less than that of a major bleed if he were to continue using it. We have PSWs coming here every night, to cover the 11 pm - 7 am shift, tending to Myron's needs in order to allow me to get some sleep so that I can care for him the other 16 hours of the day. We also have a PSW coming here on Monday and Thursday afternoons to assist Myron with his shower.
Today we had a hospital bed brought in to give Myron more comfort and security as he spends more and more time in bed. He can now raise the head portion of his bed to a reclining position and be more comfortable than on a stack of pillows as he was using previously. The bed is also positioned so that Myron can watch TV while in bed if he is so inclined. Myron is very happy with his new bed.
Tomorrow it will be three weeks since Myron came home from the hospital. It hasn't been an easy three weeks by any means, but we are still so glad that he is back home. Myron continues to constantly get weaker, but he still does get up and around a little bit, going from his bed to the table for his meals, to the washroom, and occasionally to sit in the recliner - all with the aid of his walker. He sometimes forgets to take his walker, but the doctor has requested that he use it all the time, because there is a fear that as he get progressively weaker he could fall and hurt himself, and also I am uncertain that I have the strength to get him up if he does fall.
As the days go by I find that Myron is spending more and more of his time in bed, usually sleeping or at least drifting in and out of sleep. We now have nurses coming in daily to check his overall condition, his vital signs, and how well he is eating, drinking, etc. The doctor is also coming out for a visit 2-3 times per week to keep on top of Myron's medical condition and order any increases, changes etc. in Myron's medications. The Fragmin (blood thinner) that Myron was taking has now be permanently discontinued. While this does leave the possibility open for another blood clot, the doctor believes that this danger is less than that of a major bleed if he were to continue using it. We have PSWs coming here every night, to cover the 11 pm - 7 am shift, tending to Myron's needs in order to allow me to get some sleep so that I can care for him the other 16 hours of the day. We also have a PSW coming here on Monday and Thursday afternoons to assist Myron with his shower.
Today we had a hospital bed brought in to give Myron more comfort and security as he spends more and more time in bed. He can now raise the head portion of his bed to a reclining position and be more comfortable than on a stack of pillows as he was using previously. The bed is also positioned so that Myron can watch TV while in bed if he is so inclined. Myron is very happy with his new bed.
Myron in the family room in his new hospital bed
As Myron's health deteriorates he is becoming much more agitated, so we now have on hand a medication that can be used to calm him down when he gets upset. His pain meds have been increased and he is generally free from pain. He does have some additional breakthrough painkillers which he can take if he gets sudden pain between his regular doses. There are other painkillers here on hand that are to be injected, ready to use for him if he reaches a point where the swallowing of the oral medications becomes too difficult for him. Myron is finding it increasingly difficult to hold a conversation as his cognitive processes are impaired, either from the cancer or from his medication - or both. He starts to say something, and before he finishes the sentence he has already forgotten what he was saying. While Myron isn't up for much conversation, he still likes to see his friends and family so if you want to see him, we don't mind your dropping in for a quick visit. We just ask for two things. Firstly, call first to make sure it is a good time as we do have a steady stream of health care professionals in and out of here all day long. Secondly, please keep your visit brief as Myron does tire very easily and it is unlikely that he would tell you so, but he needs his rest.
I think that's about all the news I have for now. Right now my main priority is to keep Myron as comfortable as possible, to prepare his meals so he can eat, dole out his medications at the correct times and make sure he takes them, help him with any needs he has, and most of all to make certain that he feels loved at all times. I will keep you posted as best I can as this dreadful disease continues its progress. Our family and friends continue to be the most supportive and helpful people ever, and we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Please keep us in your prayers.
love,
Wendy (& Myron)
Sunday, 11 January 2015
Greetings,
This is just a brief post, keeping you informed of our current situation here. It's been a rough weekend for Myron and he has been bleeding internally. We have had the nurses out here, and they have been in contact with the doctors. He has been removed from the fragmin (blood thinner) he takes, at least for now as that will only contribute to increased bleeding. But at the same time, not using the blood thinner increases the chance of further blood clots. For the time being his condition is stable and he is eating, drinking, and going to the bathroom as required. Our niece Joy who is a nurse came out (at Myron's request) and spent last night here with us. She is coming again tomorrow evening and night (which gives me a chance to get some much needed sleep). In the meantime, his regular nurse will be here tomorrow, and will be in contact with his doctor. Myron does not wish to go to the hospital, because at this stage of his illness he will go directly into Palliative Care and there he will remain. Myron wishes to remain at home, so we are setting things up to follow his wishes. That's about all I can tell you for now, perhaps I'll know more tomorrow after we have seen the nurse and she has spoken with the doctor. Myron is tired and needs a lot of rest at this time. I ask that you please keep your phone calls to a minimum, as right now I need to spend my time with and caring for Myron. Feel free to send texts, emails or Facebook messages, but I cannot promise when I will reply to them. As I said, right now my focus is Myron. Please keep us in our prayers. Thanks for everything.
Wendy
This is just a brief post, keeping you informed of our current situation here. It's been a rough weekend for Myron and he has been bleeding internally. We have had the nurses out here, and they have been in contact with the doctors. He has been removed from the fragmin (blood thinner) he takes, at least for now as that will only contribute to increased bleeding. But at the same time, not using the blood thinner increases the chance of further blood clots. For the time being his condition is stable and he is eating, drinking, and going to the bathroom as required. Our niece Joy who is a nurse came out (at Myron's request) and spent last night here with us. She is coming again tomorrow evening and night (which gives me a chance to get some much needed sleep). In the meantime, his regular nurse will be here tomorrow, and will be in contact with his doctor. Myron does not wish to go to the hospital, because at this stage of his illness he will go directly into Palliative Care and there he will remain. Myron wishes to remain at home, so we are setting things up to follow his wishes. That's about all I can tell you for now, perhaps I'll know more tomorrow after we have seen the nurse and she has spoken with the doctor. Myron is tired and needs a lot of rest at this time. I ask that you please keep your phone calls to a minimum, as right now I need to spend my time with and caring for Myron. Feel free to send texts, emails or Facebook messages, but I cannot promise when I will reply to them. As I said, right now my focus is Myron. Please keep us in our prayers. Thanks for everything.
Wendy
Thursday, 8 January 2015
Greetings from 71 Chancton Crescent,
We figured it was time to check in with you once again. Myron has now been home from the hospital for over 10 days, and things are going quite well. His mouth sores are slowly healing and he is eating quite well (and almost constantly it seems sometimes). While still weak, he is trying to build up his muscle strength, so he is travelling about the house, going carefully up and down the stairs, and not really using his walker very much. He is now eating all of his meals at the breakfast bar in the kitchen rather than downstairs as planned, and he has slept upstairs in our bedroom for the last three nights. He gave me one heck of a scare yesterday morning when he slipped while getting out of our (very high) bed and crashed to the floor, but fortunately there seems to be no major damage done and we now have a sturdy stool beside the bed for him. Myron is slowly increasing his intake of fluids, and as a consequence his blood pressure is increasing and becoming more stable. We have two new nurses coming to visit him now, Marilyn on Mondays and Wednesdays and Stephanie on Fridays. It seems to be working out well, they are both pleasant women and they check Myron's vital signs, listen to and deal with his problems and issues, and generally make sure he is doing okay.
We have had lots of company dropping by at various times. Currently our niece Cathy and her husband Mike are visiting from Saint John, NB. What a treat it has been to have Cathy here - the woman never stops working! She has cleaned, done laundry and dishes, cooked, dusted, massaged Myron's feet, made beds, taken down Christmas lights - the list is endless. She is absolutely incredible and has been such a help to us.
We figured it was time to check in with you once again. Myron has now been home from the hospital for over 10 days, and things are going quite well. His mouth sores are slowly healing and he is eating quite well (and almost constantly it seems sometimes). While still weak, he is trying to build up his muscle strength, so he is travelling about the house, going carefully up and down the stairs, and not really using his walker very much. He is now eating all of his meals at the breakfast bar in the kitchen rather than downstairs as planned, and he has slept upstairs in our bedroom for the last three nights. He gave me one heck of a scare yesterday morning when he slipped while getting out of our (very high) bed and crashed to the floor, but fortunately there seems to be no major damage done and we now have a sturdy stool beside the bed for him. Myron is slowly increasing his intake of fluids, and as a consequence his blood pressure is increasing and becoming more stable. We have two new nurses coming to visit him now, Marilyn on Mondays and Wednesdays and Stephanie on Fridays. It seems to be working out well, they are both pleasant women and they check Myron's vital signs, listen to and deal with his problems and issues, and generally make sure he is doing okay.
Myron eating breakfast in the family room one morning last week
Cathy and Mike with Myron
Sadly, we have listed our truck for sale. While we hate to see it go, Myron is no longer driving (and I don't drive) so there is no point in keeping it and continuing to pay insurance on it. Two of our wonderful neighbours took it in to be detailed earlier this week, and now it is set to go. If we get our miracle and Myron is cured, then we'll buy ourselves a new vehicle. The same applies to our trailer, and we will also be putting it up for sale shortly.
New Year's was a quiet affair for us this year, and I believe Myron and I were both sleeping as the new year came in - I know for sure that I was). We are still enjoying the homemade bread that Bernie made for us when she was here from Newfoundland in November. Just yesterday we shared a homemade beef stew and some of Bernie's homemade bread with Cathy and Mike.
Beef stew with Bernie's homemade bread
Myron and I have decided to drop out of our bowling league for now as Myron was finding it too tiring the last couple of weeks that we played. A difficult decision as we have been bowling in that league since September 1999, but we do know we will always be welcome to return if Myron is well enough to bowl, or even to visit if he is not. We continue to be surrounded by love, from our family and our friends. We thank you all for your kindness, generosity and prayers. Never does a day go by without someone checking up on us, bringing over treats for us to eat, offering to take us places or do chores for us. We live in an incredible world! Thanks again to all of you from the bottom of our hearts.
I think that is about all the news we have for now. We'll keep in touch.
love,
Wendy & Myron
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