Story of Jack Parsons
“Before hospice Jack did not have quality of life. He was living poorly…barely living. Now we have a quality of life and there’s peace with that. I know at least now he won’t suffer…because he was suffering before. ”
“My name is Jack Parsons. I came to Washington Island in 1967. In 1968, I married my wife, Kristy, a Washington Island native, and retired from the Coast Guard. A couple of years ago I got really sick and was taken by ambulance to Sturgeon Bay. I got there and they told me they had to transport me down to Bellin Hospital. We were there for seven days when the doctor said I needed hospice. The doctor asked me if I really wanted to go through this again. She said they could keep having me come down to Green Bay every time there was a problem, but told me hospice could take care of me at home.
My wife and I then talked to Unity Hospice. They have been a life saver. We see Unity Nurse Karen at home three times a week. She calls in between. We also have others checking in from Unity …do you need medicine, do you need anything? I’m telling you, I’ve not had this type of service ever…ever. How do you tell people this is pretty good stuff and make them believe you? All you have is my word on it…that’s all I’ve got.”
Kristy, Jack’s wife, shared, “At first, Jack didn’t want family to visit because he couldn’t breathe very well and he would get panicky that something was going to happen and they would see that. Now he looks forward to family visiting because he has something for anxiety to keep the panic down. He can talk more now because he has morphine to help him breathe. So now he can enjoy our family visits and his grandchildren. Right now, with Unity Hospice being here, we don’t have rescue squads anymore and he’s comfortable. I sleep, I don’t get panicky and I know what to do and when to do it because Nurse Karen taught me. She’s worked with me and Jack to get the medication to what she calls ‘the sweet point,’ which we’ve done. Relief. Peace.
We were totally out of control before. Now we have control over his breathing, his wellness, and a comfortable way of life…it’s good. Before hospice Jack did not have quality of life. He was living poorly…barely living. Now we have a quality of life and there’s peace with that. I know at least now he won’t suffer…because he was suffering before. The life he’s got left is good because of Unity hospice,” said Kristy. “I know I’m not going to get cured, no doubt about it. But I’m at a level now where this is pretty darn good and if today is my last day, I’ve had a good run. I’m very pleased.”