Sad news

[vettecat]

For those of you who know Lois Mangan...

Got this on the Arisia mailing list today, thought people would want to know:

Hello,

I just got off the phone with Phil Nathanson, Lois's brother. Lois is at a very small hospice in Cambridge and expected to die within the next few days. She is suffering the end stages of Parkinson's Disease.

Please DO visit her. It is advisable to call ahead.

Chilton House
65 Chilton St
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 661-6415

Preferred visiting hours are 9:30 am to 8:30 pm.

It is a small facility with only four patients. Please be kind to everyone there and respectful of their needs and privacy.

When I asked whether there were things to bring, or not bring, the person on the phone simply said not to bring anything that Lois might be allergic to.

I'm glad of this opportunity to visit with Lois while she is still with us.

Please pass this information to others who may be interested.

Jill

Edit: Apparently the situation may not be as dire as we thought - see update here.

Comments

[filkerdave.livejournal.com]

:(

Please do pass on my good thoughts and wishes.

[arib.livejournal.com]

If you know of folks who are considering visiting her that haven't been to a hospice before, I could let them know some of what to expect.

Not true

[madfilkentist]

Paul Mangan posted this to the MASSFILC list:

I think Phil may have jumped the gun. Lois suffered another
setback while in the rehab facility in Brookline - gastrointestinal
bleeding (probably an ulcer) complicated by aspiration of bloody
vomit (which may lead to another pneumonia). Lois is depressed
as hell and is currently receiving comfort-only care. But this may
change (if Lois so decides), and she is NOT at death's door yet.
Her family and I have some hope for more time with her.

Paul M.

PS - It is not a large room, and Lois has many things she needs
or wants with her. Bring affection and encouragement?