A Gift: Going to the Sun Road

A Gift:  Going to the Sun Road

Since it was a holiday in town with essentially all project sites closed for the day I gave the team a gift:  a full day in Glacier, instead of our usual rushed, half day trip.  The morning started with great news:  the van is ready, you can pick it up any time.  Five minutes later:  the van isn't ready, don't pick it up till later.  we decided to keep with our original plan and make use of the volunteers rental cars ......

A gorgeous sky and view of the mountains greeted us as we headed north out of Browning, the wildflowers in glorious bloom.  As we headed into the park the views of St Mary's Lake and all the rushing water were breathtaking.  Up to Logan's Pass where we had spectacular views and thousands of glacier lilies. A short hike and visit to the visitor center ensued. On the way down, we indulged my agenda item, stopping at Rising Sun for a bracing dip in the glacier melt water(yes, freezing) of St. Mary's Lake.  An ice cream stop and we headed back to Browning and Heart Butte, tired but exhilarated and expecting dinner preparation to be underway by our local cook.  No sense belaboring what happened, but the cook "had something come up", she was "so sorry" she couldn't make it.  when I expressed my disappointment, she ultimately sent her mother in law to sub for her , resulting in a delicious dinner of fish and corn on the cob.

Meantime, I escorted the Nadeau/Kulig gang up to attend the local sweat ceremony.  On arrival, I first took note of the oxygen tanks on the porch.  Odd, I thought, wonder who is sick in this household.  On introducing my team to Tom, the leader of the ceremony , and the homeowner, asked me to go and speak with his wife Floy . Dutifully I set off back to the house, and upon being welcomed, noted the adult woman, lying in a hospital bed, halfway between the kitchen and the living area with ventilator, feeding tube and other medical supplies.  (Stay with me, this story gets convoluted).  I ask if I can say hello, (is this your daughter? no its my granddaughter).  I introduce myself to Tonya, who cannot move or speak, and it is unclear if she can understand me.  Returning to Floy, another visitor introduces himself, a visiting psychiatrist who comes to Browning 3 days a month to see clients.  Sitting next to him, is Tonya's mother.  Turns out she works as the respiratory therapist at the local Indian Health Service Hospital. Oh yes, she says, the current hospitalist would be thrilled to have Clark give a talk on liver disease and next thing I know, Dr Freeman is on the phone , and the date and time are set!  This is stunning, as we had been working for weeks with our other local contacts to get something set up.  Next I turn to Floy, and learn more about her care for Tonya:  she has been caring for her since age 5, she is now in her mid twenties.  She has had progressive neurological decline since a childhood brain hemorrhage.  Floy has been her main caregiver.  She did not have a negative word to say, proud of the care she has given her, no complaints of stress, and somewhat sad about the decision some months ago to enroll Tonya in home hospice care. And, oh, by the way, what she was wondering was could some of our team come up and help for a day so she could clean out her shed and get organized for a day camp program she will be running for local youth.  Having broken her leg some months ago, she needs some help with the heavier work.  What about the over 20 years she has cared for and nurtured her increasingly debilitated  granddaughter?  

Greeting Clark, Kalina, and Kristen at what we thought was to be the end of the sweat ceremony, we found there was yet "another round" to go so Kathy and I settle ourselves in front of the fire to listen to the chanting and singing coming from the sweat lodge.  Soon we were joined by a visitor, who shared his story:  brain tumor diagnosed in December, chemo, radiation, and surgery.  Recurrence in April.  More chemo.  More surgery.  His report that Tom has been by his side through the whole struggle, and that he is combining a traditional medical approach , with native healing methods.  Kathy said:  " You seem like you are at peace" .  His reply:  I am not afraid and I am at peace.

Wishing you and yours health, well being, and peace

With love from Heart Butte,

Barbara