My husband, William Franz, is in the final stage of terminal heart failure, facing multiple daunting complications. It's a bittersweet reality, as Will is totally blind now and unable to move much or use his hands, making his care incredibly complex. Throughout all this, he's been concerned about me, not wanting his passing at home to be an additional burden, knowing well my struggles with dysautonomia and hEDS.
We've navigated the challenges of the healthcare system, and while hospitals offer hospice care, it's temporary, followed by a mandatory move back home, to a rehab or nursing home facility. Facilities, unfortunately, have overwhelming patient-to-nurse ratios, leaving him vulnerable without constant support. We have already experienced the terrifying neglect that can occur in facilities. Despite the odds, Will has outlived doctors' expectations, a testament to his resilience.
Many know Will as a skilled fencing master and coach at City College, and Pace University, or have seen the Newcastle Infantrie marching at the Cloisters Renaissance Faire - the guy with the eye patch and sword. As a writer for Charleton, he brought characters to life to show the human side of war, penning stories such as The Iron Corporal and The Lonely War of Capt. Willy Shultz. Today, he faces his most profound battle, and I want him to be surrounded by care, not isolation. With my own health challenges flaring up, I often find myself gravely ill and frequently at risk of going to the ER myself, unable to be by his side around the clock.
The funds I raise are to hire hospital sitters who can ensure Will is comfortable and connected to his loved ones when I’m not there. These sitters provide essential support, from pressing the call button and hydration, to helping him listen to messages from friends nationwide. Any leftover funds will help manage final expenses, ensuring he leaves this world as beautifully as he lived. Your support means the world to us in these final moments.
