Hello all,

As you probably know, Jeff has been fighting this cancer since his diagnosis at the end of November last year.  You're reading this as part of the team of Jeff's friends and family and have likely been here for us from the beginning, when we were reeling with shock and terrified at the future ahead of us and throughout this ordeal.  

At the beginning of the October during a quiet rehabilitation at his parents house, Jeff had yet another hospital visit because of an inability to keep anything down for three days.  He was admitted and treated for the extreme nausea and pain control. 

For months, Jeff has been walking with a cane due to residual issues from the cancer that spread into his left hip (even after the radiation that was performed earlier this year).  His right shoulder has continued to ache more and more (had previously gotten better, but was worsening even after radiation).  On discharge from the hospital for pneumonia last month, he was provided with oxygen for supplementation at home.  These processes are all painful and his pain levels were skyrocketing in defiance of the extensive palliative measures he'd continued to receive.  His body was exhausted.

Coincidentally, just before going inpatient, he had his oncology scans updated for treatment planning.  These scans gave us some unfortunate news.  The pain in his ribs/back and the oxygen he needed was from the cancer that had spread into his lungs.  His hip and shoulder pain, previously abated somewhat by radiation, but now back with a vengeance?  Evidence of continued degeneration and metastasis into these areas.  The last chemo didn't work.  

Due to several complicated factors with Jeff's specific case, treatment options are limited and for the one available to him, he's currently on medications that preclude him from treatment.  Because of this, we made the difficult and important decision to enroll Jeff in hospice.  

We've had him home on comfort care for over a week now, and we're so grateful to everyone in the crew with Whatcom Hospice who has made our lives so much easier with their 24/7 availability and closely managed care.  Jeff's goals are to be home with his family, in as little pain as possible, reminiscing about the incredible life he has led for as long as possible.  By taking part in hospice, we've accepted that treatment is no longer going to provide him any benefit, and now he will be allowed to complete the remainder of his moments in the comfort of his own home with the love of his family surrounding him daily.  

Jeff relishes your cards, letters, emails, and texts.  He's reporting some medication-induced double vision and neuropathy in his fingertips (they're now completely numb!) and for these reasons, it is hard for him to text or respond at all but please know, he so appreciates your words.  

With peace and love,
Megann