Volunteer Caretakers

There will be regular days and evenings when Jim will need "stand-by" caretakers. His mother and father are the primary caretakers right now; they will, of course, need to be relieved several nights a week as well as time on the weekend. I am currently working with Jim's mother to come up with a schedule of routine "relief" for her. Those who would like to volunteer for this caretaker role will assist Jim with very basic things he might need, like making sure water glass is full and within reach, making sure he's got meals, holding his hand, letting him sleep, greeting visitors, etc. At this moment, since I don't have anything on the Care Calendar, email me directly at kewetzel@gmail.com if you are interested in even brief periods of caretaking. I want to give his mother an idea of how many people are willing.

It would mean so much to the family to have evening respite and rest!

Homecoming

Yesterday medical equipment was delivered to Jim's condo, making it possible for him to leave Christopher House and return home! Austin Hospice will still be in charge of his care. They will send a hospice nurse to check on him about once or twice a week, and a nurse's aid will visit several other times per week. Jim's parents are also living in the condo to care for him. Since visits will occur in the home, it is important that both Jim and his parents know who is coming. For this reason, as well as the fact that several out of town friends are soon arriving in Austin, the Care Calendar visits are suspended for about a week.

The love in the extended "Ingman Family" is amazing!

Donating to Jim and his family

There has been an outpouring of requests for ways to donate to aid Jim and his family and it is heartwarming to say the least.

As the previous post states a bank account has been set up so if you would like to send a check please make it payable to:
Jim Ingman Donation Fun

and send it to:
2602 Carnarvon Lane
Austin, TX 78704

 A paypal account has also been set up so you can donate online.

Donating right from your PayPal account balance or your checking account will send the money without any fees. You can log into your PayPal account and send money to: JimsHappyHourCrew@gmail.com

If you would like to donate with a credit card please click the donate button below to use PayPal to make your donation.

Thank you so much to everyone for all your love, kindness, support and prayers.

This is not a 401c charity and your donation is not tax deductible.

Fundraising Kickoff

Thank you, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to those of you who have donated through either Morgan Goldbarth or me. Last night our "pass the hat" at the play raised over $400! Tonight will be another showing of "No Body to Murder" where we will continue efforts. We now have a bank account open in which to deposit any cash and check donations. Stay tuned for a way to donate directly through this blog with PayPal. So many of you around the country are eager to help and we are finding ways you can.

Acupuncture

This morning Jim had his initial consultation and first treatment. He will tentatively have treatments 2 times per week as they are helpful.

Tuna Visits

Care Calendar Update

Please check the Care Calendar (carecalendar.org) for more specific visitation windows as well as childcare/meal needs for other family members. Much gratitude to all.

calendar code: 92823
security code: 6026

Message From Jim

Almost verbatim:

I want to see my friends. I don't want them to think that I don't want them to visit. But mostly I want people to sit and hold my hand and listen to my music. I want people to know that I will initiate conversation when I have the energy.

Contacting Me

I have received numerous emails through Facebook and otherwise offering help and suggesting resources. I am reading every single one but am having trouble responding to all of them. Please know that I care and am not ignoring any of them; on the contrary, I am trying to figure out ways to consolidate efforts and "delegate." Email, through FB or otherwise, is still the best way to give me information.

If you are following Jim through this blog or are not sure how to send along messages to him, feel free to send them in care of me at kewetzel@gmail.com. I have received from former students several letters that I have read aloud to him. He is touched. Keep them coming.

Kate


P.S. I am slowly working through my 30+ voicemails! Thanks for your patience. Smiles.

Donations

Many of us are overwhelmed by the generosity and outpouring of offers for help, financial and otherwise. Tomorrow Morgan Goldbarth and I will be opening an account for monetary donations. Soon thereafter will be a way to donate directly through this blog. There will definitely be an announcement when we have established an expeditious donation method.

Again, I am SO excited and touched by the generosity of Jim's "chosen" family of friends.

Acupuncture

As it is now scheduled, Jim will begin acupuncture for additional pain management. Thursday night Jim and I discussed the possibility as he was experiencing tremendous pain even through his methadone (administered orally) and dilaudin (administered intravenously).

Craig Williams will visit hospice beginning tomorrow night to begin treatment at a reduced rate. He is an amazing practitioner whom I have seen for years. If you would like to know more about him and his practice, you may visit his website here.

Stove Request

Some of you may have heard that we were in search of a stove for Jim's condo in anticipation that he would move there to hospice. Right now, as he is in Christopher House, we are not looking for a stove.

I will post an update should this situation change.

School Play Benefit

The Fulmore Theater Dept will be hosting a benefit performance for Jim Ingman on Nov. 14th and 15th @ 6:30pm at the Fulmore Middle School Theater. We will be performing "No Body to Murder" a 30 min comedy play. Our actor's will be "passing the hat" to collect money for Jim and any financial needs he might have.

Come out and show your support. Everyone is invited!

Discharge to Christopher House

This evening Jim will leave Brackenridge Hospital and be transported to Christopher House, a hospice run by Hospice Austin. If you would like to know more about the facility, you can visit their website at http://www.hospiceaustin.org/


The address is:
2820 E. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Austin, TX 78702
Phone: (512) 342-4700


They are open 24 hours a day and do not have set visiting hours. If you would like to visit, please continue the same mindfulness described in an earlier post. That is, please refrain from visiting outside the hours of 10am-12pm and 5pm-7pm. Silent or nearly silent visits are best. Conversation with Jim should be brief and limited to yes/no questions. He NEEDS vital rest right now.

***Please also be aware that he has friends flying in from out of state to see him. Honor their time. Let them be with their friend whom they may not have seen in years.***

Hospital Discharge

Right now Jim is receiving care at Brackenridge Hospital. He will remain at Brackenridge right now for a variety of reasons. When he is released, it will be into hospice care at Christopher House or his condo.

Jim's Diagnosis

Jim's tumor is an aggressive astrocytoma, which is a type of glioma. During his surgery, the doctor removed as much of the tumor as possible. Complete removal of this type of tumor is not possible.

The timeline for the progression of Jim's illness is not precisely known. At this time, he has weeks to months left to live. This timeline might fluctuate. Updates will be posted as I have them.

The type and location of the tumor affect his speech, cognitive speed, and energy. Talking is particularly exhausting not only due to fatigue but also because processing information requires more work for him right now.

Blood clots and development of pneumonia are of chief concern; indeed, these two complications are often what precipitate death in patients like Jim. Please listen to Jim's breathing. Deep breathing is essential for him.

Jim's Visitation Needs and Limitations

Hospital Visitation

As of today, please do not enter Jim's hospital room without checking in at the nurse's station. Visits should not occur outside the hours of 10am-12pm and 5pm-7pm. Silent visits are best. If you would like to talk to Jim about anything, please ask yes/no questions. Due to the nature of his type of cancer, talking is both difficult and particularly exhausting. (Please continue reading for more information about diagnosis.)

Purpose

I am setting up and maintaining this blog to provide information as Jim's medical proxy. Jim has entrusted me to make medical decisions on his behalf as well as be a point person in his hospice care. This page will allow Jim's support system to have accurate information about his illness in a timely manner.

To help Jim's family, please visit www.carecalendar.org where you can sign up for visits or see what needs to be done to take care of everyone.

To post comments, memories, and have conversations, please join Jim's Facebook group called "Jim's Happy Hour Crew."

--Kate Wetzel