My husband was first diagnosed with cancer 17 years ago. He always says that he has lived with cancer, not battled it. Medication and prayer have enabled him to live a fruitful life.
We’ve been inviting Canadians to share their palliative care stories in connection with the launch of the Palliative Care Toolkit, a free, practical resource on serious illness (great for small group discussion) published by The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. We’re honoured by the stories you’ve entrusted to us to share.
By Gloria Wilson
Gloria and John Wilson.
My husband was first diagnosed with cancer 17 years ago. He always says that he has lived with cancer, not battled it. Medication and prayer have enabled him to live a fruitful life.
Now he has been designated palliative. We have chosen to keep him at home. We receive excellent care from all medical personnel and care workers. We have been assured that all pain will be well managed. The assistance given by such as his nurse, personal care workers, and others has taken a load off me which I could not carry alone.
Interaction with various medical workers and other hospital personnel have given my husband opportunities to share his life story and what his faith means to him. At this time, the reality of who Jesus is and what He has done for us, our inheritance and the anticipation of the glory ahead, is coming more sharply into focus. Despite the grief, there have been precious times of remembering, of saying goodbye to dear friends, and of receiving tributes from friends far away.
It is a valuable experience for our grandchildren, who see firsthand how their parents and grandparents face grandpa’s anticipated passing. They have been encouraged to express how they feel, and hear grandpa’s thoughts regarding facing death. He is not afraid. He has learned over many years to trust God in everything, and he will trust Him in death. When my husband passes from this life to the next, we want to be around him singing and praying; accompanying him on the final leg of his earthly journey.
I was delighted to see the EFC Palliative Care Toolkit, and have downloaded a copy.
Read a feature story on palliative care from a recent issue of Faith Today.