In Memory of My Best Friend Starlene

IN MEMORY OF MY BEST FRIEND STARLENE
October 22, 1941 - June 20, 2009
I had just moved into Park Towers when I heard this voice out the back door that sounded like baby talk. I didn’t quite know what to think. The owner of that voice became my best friend for the last 8 years. She’d been on a respirator after a massive heart attack and it had damaged her vocal cords, thus the voice. The heart attack left her with only about 10 percent of her heart working and had damaged her kidneys. When she left University of Minnesota Hospital 11 years ago her doctor told her they’d done everything they could and the rest would be up to her, that her attitude would make the difference. Her local doctor here in town didn’t know how she was still here after 10+ years other than sheer will. I know she was still here because of laughter, and playfulness, and love, and a need to make sure her family was okay; she was still here because her God needed her here to touch so many lives, including mine.

Starlene was here as long as she was because of her heart. How ironic.

I miss you my dear friend. Until we meet again…

Written by Jeri Jo A. Redman
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Thanks to everyone that helped to take care of Starlene and keep her going for as long as she did, including: The staff and employees of Hutchinson Area Health Care and Hutchinson Medical Center, staff and employees of Abbott-NW Hospital and the Minneapolis Heart Institute, McLeod County Social Services employees, Faith Lutheran Church, Residents and Staff of Park Towers, the Home Health Aides and Nurses of Connect Care and the Birchwood Hospice House, all the volunteers connected with Meals on Wheels, Gary the Scooter Man of Priced Right Medical Equipment, Dick and the gang at Wheelchairs Plus, Allina Home Medical, her many friends, and of course her family. That’s a lot of people touched by one heart…….
　

Middle of the Night Phone Call

I was awakened this morning at approximately 1:00 am by a phone call from my friend Star. She said something inside felt different and she felt like she was dying. I went right down and we talked for a few minutes about her options, and although she's terrified of the prospect, she chose to start dialysis. I called the ambulance and a few minutes later we were in the ER. She was in a great deal of pain but I was able to get her comfortable and she was able to sleep for about an hour and a half. At 7:00 am they transferred her to the Twin Cities to Abbott/NW Hospital where her Nephrologist has privileges and where the Minneapolis Heart Institute is. They know her there. I came home and slept for a few hours. I haven't heard from her since. Her daughter talked to her for a short time and they were preparing her for dialysis but she hadn't gone as of about 4:00 pm. I tried calling at 6:30 pm and she wasn't in her room. Perhaps her greatest fear is being faced as I write.

To say I feel helpless and useless is an understatement. Everything in me wants and needs to be down there with her but health-wise I just can't do it. So now I wait....and see what comes....and go from there.