Love You to the Moon and Back

A Real Life Story by Glenn Hansen

Dedicated to Sweet Judith, wherever you are in God’s universe.

CHAPTER 7

After the move to Riverview, which was a fair distance from where I lived, it was not possible to go and see Judy every day, although initially, I did for a few days. Shortly after Judy’s admission to her new facility, I met her doctor when he came to talk with Judy, who indicated that my presence was desirable. Like the staff in the ward, he was amazing. The kindness, the warmth and the supportive approach was truly wonderful, and his special expertise with patients in Judy’s situation was remarkable. Judy and I became comfortable with him immediately.

The doctor had a comprehensive strategy to greatly enhance Judy’s health as much as possible. He wasn’t talking about curing her; he was talking about greatly improving her quality of life.

I realized that Judy coming to Riverview was a true blessing. This place was designed for people with critical illnesses. This is not a knock against the hospital where she had spent over five months. That hospital was designed for traditional healthcare and they did it well, but this new facility was exactly where she needed to be. While delivering care with expertise in critical illness situations, it was a positive, loving atmosphere, and there were many potential things a patient could do if they so desired and were able to. I quickly met many genuine and selfless people working there, more than one usually encounters in the outside world. The work being done here at Riverview Healthcare Centre was unlike any other type of health care facility I had observed.   

When Judy first arrived, she was in a very grim place health-wise. I have to admit that on a few occasions, I thought I might be witnessing her last breaths.