"Almost Home"

A concept dedicated to the loving memory of Cathy Bovey

Cathy in dire straits, was driven to Humber River Hospital in Toronto, almost three hours from her home. She spent eighteen days facing a daunting and questionable recovery. Her spirit, courage and unwavering beliefs gave her partner in life the inspiration to visually connect Cathy to people and places that were dear to her life. It started with Cathy waking up after her first day in hospital and seeing a simple black and white sketch on the whiteboard in her hospital room. Instead of just a date written to help her keep track of time, the second day had the outline of a flower vase, a few flowers, a sketch of the hospital she was in and a sketch of the condo building 'her home' in Kingston, Ontario. The picture was titled, "Almost Home."

The implications were numerous. Her hospital room had started to be personalized to make her feel at home. A few favorite items had been quickly selected when she left her home in an emergency. Other personal items were within her reach. Her beloved calendar on which she planned and tracked her life was at her bedside. A flower arrangement had been brought from her home to her hospital room. The creation of intimacy in her space was a support to her well being. The whiteboard was now a representation of her immediate life. The hospital room was to become her temporary home for what was expected to be a few normal days of recovery.

The "Almost Home" implied that she wouldn't be confined too long, she was "Almost Home". During first few days of her hospital stay her partner busied himself adding items and touches to the white board, often when Cathy was asleep. She would waken to find a new flower, a road drawn between the hospital and her condo, a picture of her loved, shiny red car heading for her real home. The names of her surgeon, medical support team and nurses were added to one side of the drawing as they began to engage with her. They were dubbed the "Humber Home Team". On the left side of the drawing her family member's names were added, they were called the "Family Home Team."

As the drawing began to take on a life of its own Cathy's life faced new challenges. She was unable to eat or drink anything. A bowel obstruction necessitated nutrients be fed intravenously. Her already slim body slowly began to loose its precious reserves. Other medical support lines were connected to her to alleviate new setbacks. And as she faced more challenges, her "Almost Home" drawing grew. The list of medical staff got longer; nurses on rotating shifts, weekend surgeons, specialists, nutritionists, and physiotherapists. There were also often unrecognized staff who cleaned her room, changed the bedding and brought new supplies. Each person was identified and their name was added to the "Humber Home Team." Her partner added a drawing of his home to the white board - Cathy's 'second home' to the drawing. The tranquility of a cottage in the trees on a lake complemented the trees and swimming pool at Cathy's condo. Nurturing, supporting and visually pleasing, both homes were reminder of the structure and stability that homes add to our lives. Places of comfort and joy. Small drawings of Cathy's grandchildren's faces were added to the "Family Home Team" side of the whiteboard. New flowers were added to the vase. Colored crayons were purchased and they brought a new vibrant look to the drawing. The simple flower vase became a porcelain treasure embossed with a drawing of a heart enveloping Cathy and her partner's initials, signifying their bond. Cathy's son-in-law, an artist came to visit and added an image of a Cuban beach and palm tree to connect Cathy to her favorite vacation destination.

Cathy's determination to go to her real beloved home helped her tolerate her waning bodyweight and strength. Part of her therapy was to walk every day to alleviate her blocked bowel. Finally when some bedside apparatus was removed, she did this pulling her I.V. pole, supported by one of two daughters or partner. Her daily appearance in the corridors of the hospital, purposefully focused, but greeting many, became an expected event. Still with no oral intake her resolve became her only mainstay. The sun beckoned her to walk the pathways around the hospital and her highly developed natural senses were in rapture just being in the fresh air. Her billowing hospital gown, blowing like a sail gave testimony to her effort to get back home. By now the "Almost Home" drawing has reached it final stage. Blue skies signified her outside walks; sunshine, birds and grasses all attested to her reconnecting to the simple but poignant parts of her life that gave her happiness. Near the eighteenth day of her stay, after enormous daily discomfort, her bowels finally fell into their natural posture. The doctors ordered food, the physiotherapist showed her how to pace herself - she was going home.

There was no new white board drawing this time. It was now only talk of how ready she was to go to her final home, and mental images were created. Images of a resting place, preparing a home setting for those who would eventually follow her. It was rationalized that she was chosen first so she could prepare the meal and dining table in her exquisite way for the rest of us when we arrived. Talk of soon meeting her deceased mother and other loved ones gave her solace.

Monday, Sept. 19, 2016 Cathy Bovey finally went home, to her final home.