(If this is your first time to this site, please read the posts below to catch up on news from the previous week. You can see responses from friends by clicking “comments” listed under each posting . Comments are currently catagorized by the posting they are responded to.)
Hi Folks,
There’s not much news to report from Mass General. Jim continues to be well, enjoying a healthy appetite, good sleep and visits from family and friends – so please come in if you are able! Our family has enjoyed meeting so many of Jim’s friends and colleagues from over the years. You are all such a beautiful reflection of the man – Jim Haggerty!
We think that the CJD may have “plateaued” somewhat, as the changes this week have been subtle. However, no one knows when it may advance again. Truly each waking moment is a gift.
We are currently pursuing a post hospital care facility / plan and have found this to be devestatingly difficult. Even so, we are praying, hoping, holding-out for a solution that is befitting our good man. Your prayers and good wishes in this direction are needed.
Bye Bye for now!
Betsy
April 3, 2008 at 2:32 pm |
We can’t stop thinking of you…you’ve got our prayers, our best, positive wishes and if there’s anything else you can think of, please let us know. Love to all of you, Merrie and Dick Thomas.
April 3, 2008 at 3:00 pm |
Hi Betsy, Nancy, and Jim,
Claudia notified me of Jim’s condition a few days ago and I have had trouble getting this blog up, but now it’s working for me (i’m very technologically challenged!). Thanks so much for taking the time to keep us posted. I am so sorry to hear this, and am thinking of and praying for you all so much, especially in your efforts for the post-hospital care facility. Our healthcare system continues to amaze me. He’s such a vibrant person, and with the support of all of you there, and huge prayers from “the virtual chain,” I have faith in the collective spirit. Love and white light to you all. Sarah Mead
April 3, 2008 at 3:45 pm |
Dear Jim, Nancy, Betsy and John,
Wish I were back with you this week to give one more neck, shoulder and head massage to our big guy. Please give him a kiss from me, and when you give him a little massage, also do his earlobes from me.
You are awesome love and caregivers. I will be checking in daily from Belgium.
My love to you.
Mary Anne
April 3, 2008 at 3:52 pm |
Dear Nancy,
Wish I could be with you during this difficult time and offer you and the kids support. Know that you are all in my prayers and thoughts. I can’t help but picture Jim with his bright green St. Patricks day bow tie on telling great stories and sharing a sip of the old Barney with him after tough strategic planning sessions. My time at Beacon Hospice with Jim was an opportunity to meet one of the most remarkable role models in my career. I will for ever be greatful for his sense of humor and keen business mind. Please share with Jim that although I am too far away for a bedside visit I’ll take the opportunity to “Toast” in celebration of his incredible contribution to those that he has served.
Warm Regards,
Max (The tall blonde)
April 3, 2008 at 4:15 pm |
What I love about this picture is my memory of when it was taken…Nancy and Jim were visiting me and my sister Karen (who took this picture) and her husband Peter and my mother (who adores Jim)….out on the Cape. Jim and Nancy were telling a very funny story..(together, of course), trading one liners, as always, and Jim was grinnning at Nancy as she was getting to the punch line. A typical, funny moment with them and his delight in the whole thing is so obvious….in the story, in the telling, in Nancy.
Can’t wait to hug you all on Saturday…love, Ellen
April 4, 2008 at 5:16 pm |
I’ve just learned about you Jim. Since I cannot spend time with you in Boston I am content to sit here, in Kentucky. quietly imagining your hand in mine. I have just viewed your next stop. It is very warm and welcoming.
Nancy, I’m so glad we had some time together in Sept. It is a lovely memory. Just the thought of Jim ( always with that mischievous grin ) brings a smile. John and Betsy I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting you. I think the world of both your parents. My thoughts are with all of you .
Karen will give an extra hug for me tomorrow…..love, Carol
April 4, 2008 at 11:50 pm |
Hello Nancy, Bets and John,
Thank You for all the updates, phone calls. Sending you all my love and wish I could be closer to visit. So happy to hear you all found a peaceful place to move Jim. Love the memory of our visit in December and feel so blessed that Coco, Benjie and Quincy Marley had the chance to meet Jim and experience his WONDERFUL sense of humor!
Love and Blessings to you 4,
Michele
April 6, 2008 at 2:05 pm |
Jim, it was so good to see you last night. The Tippett Home is in such a lovely location. I imagine you and Nancy out in the gardens, enjoying the gentle spring air and seeing the first hints of spring green in the trees that surround the property. All those photos on your wall were great to see – especially the ones that you took of yourself with other people – as far as I’m concerned, you invented the long-arm shot!
Peter and I were so glad to be there with my sister Ellen, to see Nancy and John and Betsy, and especially to visit with you. It’s good to know that you are in such competent and caring hands at Tippett, and are surrounded by such a loving family. Now all you need is one of your famous bow ties!
With much love and constant prayers,
Karen
April 10, 2008 at 3:24 pm |
For the past fifteen years, I have been receiving some dozen cards on Valentine’s Day; all from different women. None of them I knew. But each one was not bashful, in her own way, of expressing a fondness for me and desire to be with me on that special day. I desperately looked for a return address or a telephone number, to no avail. The postmarks were from all over: California, Texas, New York, Arizona. Who were these women; why did they miss me so much – why only on Valentine’s Day?
Then, this February the cards stopped. That is when the Captain became ill.
Jim had enlisted a cadre of friends and relatives who were only too eager to write a note of longing to someone who would pull his hair out every Valentine’s Day trying to figure out who these obsessed women were.
When the Captain is gone, there will be a lot less laughter in our lives and in the world.