The name of this blog states its intent: sharing end of life. The reason behind it includes my own experiences and those of others who have been a part of my life. Is there a way that these experiences can help others in their darkest hours? One can find other sites about terminal illness, end of life, hospice, palliative care and grief, but I hope to be able to provide other personal touches.
The hope is to provide resources and support for those who are facing end of life. It is for those who have a family member nearing end of life or who has already passed. This is done so that:
Someone doesn’t feel so alone.
People can have an opportunity to help someone else.
Those in need can learn about end of life care and how to find resources
Misinformation about hospice can be dispelled.
The differences between palliative care and curative care can be explained.
Just because, it can help to know someone else is crying.
Perhaps some information about me would be helpful:
My name is Janet Nugent Garretson. I was born in Sutherland, a small town on the prairies of Western Nebraska. Over the course of my life, I have lived in eight states and twenty-eight houses. Change has been a way of life. I was the second of five children with one older sister and three younger brothers. I have three sons and five grandchildren.
My husband died of cancer when he was fifty-two. Upon his death, I returned to school and graduated as a RN. My goal was to work as a hospice nurse. I was able to be certified as a hospice and palliative care nurse in Illinois. When I moved to Wisconsin, I was unable to work in hospice due to the rural distances required, so I chose to work in long term care. Upon retiring from working as a RN, I made pies in my little pie shop in a small town next to the Mississippi River. Now, I have retired from making pies. In my complete retirement, I do household chores, listen to music, exercise, take walks, read, spend time with family, watch British crime stories, and contemplate life.
It is hoped that this contemplation of life and sharing with others will be helpful in a time of sorrow.
