WELCOME TO OUR BLOG
Welcome to the SevenPonds.com blog – a community-driven extension of SevenPonds.com! I hope you find comfort and community in the resources and stories featured here. I’m always happy to hear from readers and can be reached at suzette@sevenponds.com.
FEATURED
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10 Facts About Hospice Care You May Not Know" />
10 Facts About Hospice Care You May Not Know: NHPCO stresses that hospice is about living fully, not preparing for death. -
Man of Many Faces" />
Man of Many Faces: A niece says goodbye to her favorite gay uncle, in whom she confided about her own sexuality -
Last Rites: A Catholic Send-Off" />
Last Rites: A Catholic Send-Off: A look at the religion's final prayer procession for the dying
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Tag Archives: Caregiving
The Power of Touch
A daughter used physical touch to comfort her terminally ill father throughout the last months of his life.
This is the story of Julie, as told by Jeanette Geraci… When Julie flew home for a visit the year before her father passed away, it was clear that his condition — Multiple System Atrophy – was getting worse. Eight … Continue reading
Film Review: That’s “Amour”
A couple’s love is tested in anticipation of death in Michael Haneke’s latest film.
Austrian director Michael Haneke’s Oscar winning film is not easy, nor pleasurable to watch. Because one can’t just watch Amour—they have to experience it, and become invested in its characters to a degree that is rare in the movies today. … Continue reading
Posted in Lending Insight
Tagged Amour, Austria, Caregiving, Death, Depression, Emmanuelle Riva, France, French Cinema, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Lending Insight, Loss of a Loved One, Love, Michael Heneke, Old age, oscars, Stroke
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Happiness is Something I Learned From My Parents
The unforgettable legacy and lessons they passed down over the years
This is Margie’s story, as told by Katie… Growing up, I had two amazing parents: Mabel Martinis and Roy Little. They were both born in the late 1800s and had me in their late forties. My mother, who exuded strength … Continue reading
Book Review: My Mother, Your Mother by Dennis McCullough, M.D.
A thorough look at the step-by-step process for the care of elder parents
My mother always told me, “When I get old, put me on an iceberg and leave me for the polar bears.” I never once took her advice seriously, but after reading Dr. McCullough’s book, I’m starting to reconsider. All joking … Continue reading
Summers on the Farm
How I learned the meaning of strength from my grandfather
This is Suzette’s story, as told by Katie Ryan. Of all his closest grandkids, I think I understood him the most. My grandfather, Otto, and I were always very close. As a kid, I would spend every summer with him … Continue reading
The Stark Reality About Leukemia and Chemotherapy Treatment
A Film About "Dying Young" is for Those at Any Age Dealing with Cancer
I appropriately write this review as our blog writer Katie drives from San Francisco to Orange County today to be with her mom who starts chemotherapy treatments in the morning. This film “Dying Young“, directed by Joel Schumacher, is, as … Continue reading
Posted in Sharing Suzette
Tagged Battling Cancer, Cancer, Caregiving, Chemotherapy, Dying Young, Film Review, Leukemia
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An Interview with Kate Munger
We discuss the Threshold Choir's mission to provide lovely, comforting songs to the ill and dying
Kate Munger founded the Threshold Choir in 2000 with the idea of creating a chorus of women’s voices that could provide soothing song at people’s bedsides. Today, she administers a large network of of choirs nationwide, from the Northeast to … Continue reading
Actors Share Personal Caregiving Stories
"Your Turn to Care" Docu-series explores the critical issues around caregiving for aging loved ones.
KCET, the nation’s largest independent public television station serving Southern and Central California, announced a new original documentary series on caregiving hosted by Holly Robinson Peete called Your Turn to Care, airing on March 7 at 8 p.m. and March 14 … Continue reading
Remembering My Father
Coming to terms with my father's end-of-life experience
This is Hugh’s story as told by Katie Ryan… My father lived with Parkinson’s disease for twenty years before he died and it progressed very slowly. He was diagnosed at the age I am now and died at seventy-two on … Continue reading
Posted in Opening our Hearts
Tagged Ad hominem, Caregiving, Conditions and Diseases, Cremation, Death, Dying at Home, Health, Hospice, Parkinson's disease, Support group
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An Interview with Rebecca Katz: Part Two
The conclusion of our interview with the food and nourishment expert
Last week, we published the first part of our interview with Rebecca Katz, chef, nutritionist, cookbook author, culinary translator and expert at cooking for people with cancer. Here, the conclusion of the interview. Liz: On your website, you have a … Continue reading
Posted in Professional Advice
Tagged Cancer, cancer patient, Cancer Treatment, Caregiving, Chemotherapy, Food, recipes
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An Interview with Rebecca Katz: Part One
Nationally-recognized food expert speaks about cancer and the power of nourishment
Rebecca Katz is a chef and nutritionist who specializes in cooking for cancer patients and survivors. She is Executive Chef at the Center for Mind-Body Medicine’s Food As Medicine and CancerGuides Professional Training Programs, and is visiting chef and nutrition … Continue reading
Posted in Professional Advice
Tagged Cancer, Cancer Treatment, Caregiving, Dealing with an Illness, Food, Health, Nourishment, Nutrition
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Remembering Her Life
Caring for my mother-in-law in her final days
This is the story of Candace, as told by Katie Ryan. I didn’t know my mother-in-law very well before she moved in with us. It wasn’t my choice, actually; my husband just knew we were the only ones who could … Continue reading
Posted in Opening our Hearts
Tagged Aid in Dying, Cancer, Caregiving, Cremation, Death, end-of-life, Health, Hospice, Losing a Parent, Loss of a Loved One, Mother-in-law, Parkinson's disease, past life
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Interview with Dr. Duncan, Part Two
Diving deeper into her work and the grief process
Read part one of my interview with Dr. Lael Conway Duncan, where we discuss her work at Good Medicine, integrative medicine, and the emerging practice of private medical advocacy and guidance. Katie Ryan: What are some specific situations you’ve had … Continue reading
California Nurses’ Strike and the Loss of Judith Ming
Medical error by replacement nurse causes tragic death of Oakland woman
Last weekend, ovarian cancer patient Judith Ming, 66, died as a result of a tragic hospital error at Oakland’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. While medical errors are not uncommon, Ming’s death has drawn widespread attention because of its unusual … Continue reading
What is NODA? An Interview with Carleen McCornack
The Program Coordinator of No One Dies Alone enlightens and uplifts, sharing her experience with death and dying
No One Dies Alone is a wonderfully compassionate, volunteer-driven service pioneered through the Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene, OR. Carleen McCormack is the Program Coordinator. She can be reached at 541.222.2263 or cmccornack@peacehealth.org. Aurora: What is the history of No … Continue reading
Posted in Professional Advice
Tagged Aid in Dying, Caregiving, Palliative Care, Spirituality and Belief, Volunteer Services
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The Impossible Dream: Part Two
One man's struggle to connect with his father, in life and in death
This is Part Two. Read Part One here. During the months that followed, my father became more and more childlike. He was sweet and full of breath. Some combination of radiation, medication, and his brain swelling inside his skull, I guess. … Continue reading
The Impossible Dream: Part One
One man's struggle to connect with his father, in life and in death
This is the story of Mark, as told by Aurora Wells… It’s such a sad old feeling the fields are soft and green it’s memories that I’m stealing but you’re innocent when you dream when you dream you’re innocent when … Continue reading
Mrs. Zhang and her House Made of Paper
A tale of destruction, sorrow and love — during the Chinese Cultural Revolution
This is the story of Mrs. Zhang, as told by her son-in-law to Aurora Wells… Mrs. Zhang was the first woman in her entire ancestral history to receive an education. During the 1950’s in China, before it was acceptable for … Continue reading
Posted in Opening our Hearts
Tagged Caregiving, Cremation, Cultural Perspectives, Depression
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What’s a Center for Grief? An interview with Cindy Ainsworth and Stephanie Demos
Directors at Kara grief center discuss their support programs and the "healing door"
Kara (the gothic root for “care”) is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization and renowned grief center, providing powerful, free grief support services to the San Francisco Bay Area from their Palo Alto home since 1976. Truly, the breadth, success, and compassion … Continue reading
Standing at the Threshold of Absence: Part Two
My private memorial to Grandma as the witness of her cremation
This is Part Two. Read Part One here. The story of S.H., as told by Aurora Wells… Now I took one final step up: I offered to witness her cremation. Even though it cost more, my family agreed. I had … Continue reading
Posted in Opening our Hearts
Tagged Caregiving, Cremation, Grieving, Healing, Palliative Care, Personalized Ritual
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