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.***