Last Days

George died on June 14.  His last days brought confusion, hope, and resignation.

On Monday, May 29, George was well enough to sit out on the park bench with Jane, feeding the pigeons. This, despite three hospitalizations in April, and a number of doctor visits, for  unexplained internal bleeding and difficulty in  swallowing.  Tuesday morning, he was incoherent, and obviously sick enough to be put in the Intensive Care Unit at Mitchell Hospital.  Dylan, Penney and Christine (who arrived complete with two-month-old Alec) came to see him, and to help Jane any way they could. George never really regained consciousness.

This time, though, there was a diagnosis:  lung cancer, which was causing a rapidly-growing mass in his tonsillar region.

On Friday, June 9, George went back to his old room at Montgomery Place, which had been his home for nearly five years and which was still full of his books and origami supplies. Horizon Hospice took over control of his care, along with our wonderful internist, Dr Scheiner. All of the staff at Montgomery Place welcomed him with loving attention. He did not seem to be in pain. Jane sat and talked to him.

Late Wednesday morning, June 14, he died peacefully in his room. His ashes will be taken to Pentwater. No service is scheduled.