Yesterday we were left with a number of questions.
Was Poppa going to be able to hold on?
Was Junior going to be okay during the flight?
What tie should I wear tomorrow?
A nervous night was spent with as many fingers crossed as possible, finger cramps set in disturbing sleep – and that was just me.
The answers to the questions above are contained in the photo below:
Since the last update a lot has happened.
The local branch of shipping company Maersk reached out to Palliverse after reading the NZ Herald article from Sunday. Their can do attitude was much appreciated by us all. Thank you very much.
Thanks also to everyone who has made suggestions, offered advice and wished us well for this mission. It is heartening that people are taking time out of their busy lives to try to help their fellow man. Be proud of yourselves.
Poppa has become extremely fatigued over the past three days which is a big concern to the hospice team and the family. There’s a possibility that time may be shortening, as Poppa’s condition continues to deteriorate.
There has been some good news – Junior has been improving everyday and has been in touch with his specialist again. His risk of further eye injury is now estimated to be low, and because of the uncertain situation that Poppa is in the decision has been made for Junior and other family members to board the earliest flight to Auckland tomorrow.
Poppa has been informed of the travel plans and is looking forward to seeing Junior tomorrow. Poppa is trying his best to hold on.
Fingers and everything else remain crossed. Prayers are being said by many people on both sides of the Tasman.
Good luck Poppa and Junior – I sincerely hope that you can have your reunion.
Photo by Britt Reints, used via creative commons
Driving to work on Saturday morning I listened to RNZ National’s Kim Hill interviewing celebrated Australian novelist Cory Taylor. Cory talked about the experiences that led to her writing her last book, Dying: a Memoir (Text Publishing), while dying of metastatic melanoma with brain metastases. Topics discussed include Euthanasia, Palliative Care, and writing about dying.
Hi everyone,
Apologies for the late update, I’ve been clinically busy while working the weekend.
We – Palliverse and the family of “Poppa” and “Junior” are still trying to find a way to make their reunion happen.
With the family’s permission here is a photo from yesterday morning’s ward round:
“Aloha” from Saturday morning from two guys who are fashion-forward? Poppa is trying to hold on for Junior.
The link to Poppa and Junior’s Story was shared through the social media by myself, the Palliverse community and the family.
I was pleasantly surprised that the link to the post appeared as a headline on Friday 13th May’s edition of the #hpmglobal paper.li – Thank you very much Jim Cleary!
I was informed by the family that one of NZ’s national papers had contact them and they were interviewed last night.
This resulted in the following story appearing this morning:
Snapshot of from the New Zealand Herald website – Click here to read the full story.
I’m checking out a few more traditional media leads in order to spread the word further.
I’m also trying to contact sailing clubs as suggested by others’ helpful comments.
Fingers are still crossed.
Update 18/05/16 1700 NZT:
Poppa is still holding on, but is getting mighty fatigued.
Junior is on the mend which is good to hear.
Since the NZ Herald on Sunday story we have received a number of helpful emails.
Apparently another NZ newspaper has shown interest in running our story.
I’ve emailed a number of NZ radio shows, an Australian newspaper, and whatever else that myself and other people can think of. I’ve started writing a letter to Santa Claus, the tooth fairy and others in the Pantheon.
Received by Palliverse today was an email from one of the major shipping companies with a desire to “try to make it happen.” I have passed on the details to the family to make direct contact.
This is the most promising lead so far.
Fingers crossed to the power of 10! Say your prayers folks.
Hi everyone,
Situation:
Poppa is my patient. Grandson “Junior” in Sydney unable to fly back to Auckland because of eye injury. Tearful conversation via internet this morning. Two men heartbroken at the thought that they will never be able to hug each other again.
Background:
Poppa very unwell and worsening rapidly, admitted this morning for hospice care.
Family have tried Cruise lines, Courier companies, travel agents to no avail so far.
Assessment:
Re-uniting Poppa with Junior would provide the greatest comfort.
Recommendation:
Spread the word through all available palliative care networks to see if we can #getjnrbak!
It might have to be via sea because of Junior’s eye injury.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Let’s see if we can provide another example of a real world translation from our Palliative Care virtual community of practice.
Cheers,
James
UPDATE 11/05/16 1700 NZT:
Junior’s medical details were obtained with his permission.
Sean Coleman from Air Ambulance NZ has been very helpful, again – Shipping companies contacted – minimum of 4 day trip by ship.
Freighter Travel company contacted.
Suggestions: Make-a-Wish foundation could be approached?
Anyone know any super-rich people with a spare super-yacht?
UPDATE 12/05/16 1100 NZT:
Cruise ship company contacted.
No commercial flight options available. Low cabin pressure private jet would cost at least $30000+ one way.
The search continues, people have been leaving suggestions in the comments section, thanks.
UPDATE 12/05/16 1700 NZT:
I made contact with P&O Cruises and they did not have anything available this year.
Junior’s family are also exploring freighter ship options apparently there is a Brisbane to Auckland ship sailing next week. Hamish from Freighter Travel also told me about the same possibility, he was very helpful.
Poppa remains very unwell.
Fingers crossed.
UPDATE 13/05/16 1400 NZT:
No news on the travel front, but Poppa woke up and was comfortable today!
Fingers double crossed that its the start of a trend.
Hiya folks,
I’m presenting at Grand Round tomorrow on the above subject.
Pasted below are the Tipsheets I prepared as a take-away for the presentation.
At the bottom is a link for printable PDF versions.
Enjoy, James.
On the desk I was surprised to see the returned tackle box. This usually happens when a patient doesn’t require subcutaneous medications anymore, or else when a death has occurred. There would be a missing name on our “patients to be discussed” list tomorrow, one that had been on the list for most of the past eight months. Continue reading
Photo by Sid Mosdell, taken on March 28, 2012
Over the years I have been privileged to share some meals with a visiting Lama from the Tibetan Buddhist Faith. Rinpoche is based in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA but regularly visits New Zealand. Dinners with Rinpoche are always very interesting and he has many stories to tell. Given my own professional interests, the topic of death and dying often comes up. During one of those conversations Rinpoche shared a related story about one of his late American friends.
Heart Connection by Alisa Looney. Photo by Nancy Regan, taken in Puyallup, Washington, used under Creative Commons licence.
It had all happened so fast, much too fast. Unwell on Tuesday, into hospital on Wednesday. It was all bad news, he was told that he had only possibly a week or two to live. Confronted with his imminent mortality he decided to go to Hospice. He was worried about how his family would cope with him at home, he wanted to make sure that they would be looked after.
They had always done everything together as a couple, right from when they were teenagers. They had made all the important decisions together. But when it came to the decision to go to Hospice he had made it on his own.
palliverse.com 