01:09 Val warns listeners that in this episode she talks about end-of-life events.
01:34 Val shares that her situation is unique because her loved ones were young when they received their diagnosis. Her husband was 39 when he developed cancer in his tonsil and 50 when he developed leukemia from the radiation treatment 10 years earlier. Her son developed MDS because of a genetic disorder he had called Fanconi Anemia. https://fanconi.org/
These events were unexpected and Val's family didn't have the life experiences to understand what they faced. Val felt a constant inner tension and she feels that our health care system is not set up to help young families like hers discuss end -of -life issues. This is what has led her to create this podcast.
04:11 Val shares she is working on having compassion for herself and everyone involved in the situation. And especially compassion for just thinking things could have been done differently. Val feel her life lesson at this time is "go with the flow, and let go of the need to know".
05:04 Val shares the memory of the day her husband decided to go against his doctor's recommendation to try another treatment. Her husband had relapsed after a bone marrow transplant and his doctor wanted him to go through the process again.
06:32 A second doctor from the team presented a different point of view that was in line with her husband's wishes. Her husband decided to live his final days at home and not in the hospital undergoing more chemotherapy. She shares the immense appreciation she has for the doctor who took time to explain in detail what was happening and probable outcomes, even though others on the team disagreed with his approach.
08:49 Val shares about the events that led up to her husband's passing. She reminds listeners that in Season 3, Episode 4 she shares the beautiful story of what happened after her husband passed.
10:08 Val shares about the Ottawa Person Decision Guide. https://decisionaid.ohri.ca/decguide.html
A PDF copy and an explanation of this guide can be found here: https://decisionaid.ohri.ca/docs/das/opdg.pdf
12:26 Val's personal message today comes from Corrie Ten Boom, author of "The Hiding Place."
"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, It empties today of its strength."
13:15 Val says, "Here's to the strength we have today! Cheers!"
Additional information and links can be found at:
https://www.caregiverteatime.com/
Look for the full version of Val's theme song, Nothing But the Good Things on your favorite music streaming service now!
