Hospice care for Steven Sjogren
Donation protected
Hi
- My name is Beth Sjogren Miller and I am one of Steven's sisters. Our brother is living on Martha's Vineyard, where like many Islanders,he had managed to cobble together a work life which meant just getting by paycheck to paycheck, often enough. It was his way to never ask for help.
- Several years ago he bought a modest home in Edgartown where he has lived with a companion dog. For years he was a valued carpenter and was devastated when he could no longer work as crew supervisor just as he was diagnosed.
- Many people also know him as an avid fisherman around Vineyard Sound, aboard his boat the Pearl.
Steven also found pleasure in creating steel furniture once he learned to weld. There are some beautiful pieces in his modest home in Edgartown.
For the past several years he has had companion dogs, Ringo the first black standard poodle, then Jasmine a silver standard poodle and now he is enjoying Astro another black beauty.
About 3 years ago he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at stage 4. His oncology care involved about 2 years of either chemotherapy or radiation. He endured the treatments stoically. Lastly, he was put on a palliative drug trial which was discontinued when it was established the cancer was spreading. This past week he met with the Hospice team that will help him remain at home. Unfortunately, there is limited help with care on the Island, staffing shortages in healthcare are everywhere and especially so on the Island.
He is quite despondent, as his hopes of beating cancer were dashed. Our family is committed to being with him and supporting him in whatever capacity he needs.
As his health further declines, we will be looking at some care which will not be covered by insurance. This is the primary reason for asking for donations.
And of course, traveling to and from Martha's Vineyard is costly and complicated by weather, this time of year. This last trip, our mother and I were on the first Ferry after the storm to Vineyard Haven and got off the last Ferry before it was cancelled due to weather, in Woods Hole.
Thank you for helping us, we feel love and gratitude.
Organizer
Beth A Sjogren-Miller
Organizer
Dartmouth, MA