Home for Hospice

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes, 53 seconds

Visiting Jan 

Dr. Saksena, it’s so nice to see you,” I said as I stood by Jan’s bed, holding her hand. We had been waiting for the doctor as we both had many questions.

Jan’s smile was one of the weakest I had ever seen.

“I am sorry you are back in the hospital, but the stent has made a difference,” she said. “How are you feeling today?”

Jan shook her head up, down, and sideways. 

I am OK, just very tired of being in the hospital and worried about the lymphoma returning.

“We are in touch with Dr. Strair and his team and constantly monitor it.”

 “How aggressive is it?”

“It’s not where we would like it to be, but we are looking at various treatment options.”

She asked Jan a few more questions before leaving. 

“Thanks, Dr. Saksena!”

I kissed Jan and reminded her how much I loved her. 

“We will find a way to get thru this, my dear!”

“The lymphoma is active again; how can you be so positive?”

“Because we have an excellent medical team and….”

She napped for a few minutes, and I texted Dr. Strair.

Dr. Strair, how are you? I am at the hospital with Jan. Dr. Saksena stopped by and spoke about how aggressive the lymphoma is. Jan asked if she would survive. Saksena was realistic in her response. 

Do you know when we can speak tonight? The sooner I know, the easier it will be to connect my sons to the call.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021, 6:26 pm

He responded quickly. 

How is 7:30?

Tuesday, April 6, 2021, 6:32 pm

I agreed and texted Jon and Mike.


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Erin Somers is a reporter and news editor at Publishers Lunch. Her debut novel, “Stay Up with Hugo Best“, was recognized as a Vogue Best Book of the Year in 2019. Her work has appeared in esteemed publications such as The New Yorker, The Paris Review, The New York Times Book Review, The New Republic, New York magazine, The Atlantic, Esquire, GQ, and Best American Short Stories, among others.

Somers has received an Emerging Writer Fellowship from the NYC Center for Fiction, a fellowship from the Millay Colony, and was a finalist for a National Magazine Award in 2020. She resides in New York’s Hudson Valley with her family.



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