Jody’s Joy

Hi - Jody Stokhamer here, living the hospice life. I have stage 4 ovarian cancer. There is no cure no chance of remission. In spite of that I did agree to undergo 4 chemo infusions last year.

Nothing about the chemo lifestyle aligned with my authentic self. I weep in the presence of trees. I stand In Awe at the base of rock formations. I will hike for hours holding a blue jay feather. I had no access to Joy when I lived the chemo lifestyle. I moved on to palliative care and my symptoms were managed with Tylenol or Oxycodone and it was a miserable existence. I was in too much pain to engage in life.

As soon as I was given less than 6 months to live, I signed up with hospice Home Care.

Here's me with my aide Lex today.

He's one of the many people who support and encourage me as I live the Hospice Home Care lifestyle. I only had one question when I interviewed him. "I like to hike. Will you hike with me until I can't?" He said, "I'll hike with you until you can't, and then I'll carry you.

He lives with me Monday through Friday 120 hours a week, enjoying life right alongside me. He dispenses my medication and is my driver because I'm on pain management now. He communicates with the hospice nurse, cleans the house and does the laundry. Shops for food and has folded into our family like egg whites into lemon mousse, integrating with friends and neighbors. He also took an active role as my photographer in creating this GoFundme Jody's Joy page.

These days I'm going Coastal grandma. Letting the light into all those dark corners that held a long ago and far away life. Gone is the guitar, the home exercise equipment, the dishes for entertaining..

Cancer as lived on hospice is a relationship multiplier. In addition to my nearest and Dearest

I have gained a team made up of hospice Social workers, hospice chaplain, a hospice nurse, a peer support group, and of course Social Media. The best part is that hospice services come to my house‼ Medication is shipped to my house! No more waiting in a medical facility for 6 hours.

The one person who holds all this together for me is my aid. He is my dear companion, always aware of every personal need so that I am living my best life at all times. He'll grab his slippers and drive me over for a late night ice cream 10 minutes before closing, wake me up for the August supermoon, and inspire me as I put together a six character play for a friend. He is devoted and invested in my future self.

Presently as I have structured the schedule, my out of pocket home care expense for a private aide is $6,000 a month. Medicare covers Hospice Services, medication, and inventory.

If you can find it in your heart to support Jody's Joy through this GoFundMe page, please click on the link.