[Dialogue] Update on the Barkonys

[Jayandem2 at aol.com]

Dear Colleagues and Friends,
 
I talked to Don Barkony today on the phone, after receiving the word that  
Barbara is now in Hospice care.  Since they aren't on the Dialogues, and  
Don doesn't communicate well on the Internet (his analysis, not mine), I 
agreed  to fill everyone in on how they are doing.
 
Barbara is receiving care from Hospice, which as most of us know from  
experience, is a wonderful program for those approaching the end of life.   Don 
hastened to emphasize that Barbara is not necessarily imminently approaching 
 the end of life.  Barbara has congestive heart failure, and aortic  
arrhythmia, but is alert, plays computer solitare many hours a day, loves  
Jeopardy, etc.  She does get up in her wheelchair frequently, and according  to 
Don, her "vital signs" are very good.  Her general mood is  good.  They do have 
help in the home to assist with Barb's care.  He  also wanted people to be 
reminded that a person can be in Hospice for many  months, with renewals 
after a set periods.  We know, too, since Judith's  mom was in Hospice for over 
15 months at the end of her life.
 
Don is the same Don we have come to love, with his great cheery upbeat  
attitude.  He has two part time jobs with the small city of Lawrenceville,  IL 
where they live in small retirement community.  He just turned 80 (funny  
how that has ceased to sound old to me) and is in good health.  
 
Don and I have known each other since January, 1968, when our wives dragged 
 us to RSI, sleeping next to each other on cots in the attic of a church in 
East  Cleveland.  The RSI was famously taught by brothers Bob Vance and 
Carlos  Zervigon, assisted by Rejean Idzerda.  A guy in a black beret sitting 
the  corner of the room frantically jotting down everything that was said was 
Jack  Gilles.  The man we assumed was the church  janitor we learned later  
was "Brother Lawrence", Bob Rafos.
 
Oh the memories that started to build on that cold weekend in 1968!
 
Don wanted me to relate how much he and Barbara appreciate  all the cards 
and letters and emails you have sent.  Keep 'em coming.
 
Grace and Peace,
 
Mike Tippett (and Judith, too, of course)
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