Caregiver: A Love Story
- Description
- Reviews
- Citation
- Cataloging
- Transcript
CAREGIVER: A LOVE STORY is the tale of one man struggling to care for his dying wife. After four years of battling cancer that has now gone metastatic, 60-year-old Bambi Fass has had enough. Despite being a natural fighter and optimist, she decides to start focusing on maximizing quality of life instead of just prolonging it. Bambi will forego additional radiation treatment in order to live out her final weeks at home surrounded by her family and friends in Oakland. Although reluctant to let go of a woman he had met only three years earlier, her husband Rick supports her choice. An emotional journey that begins with song-filled friends and family gatherings soon becomes deeply challenging as Rick is left alone to care for Bambi in her final weeks, juggling the day-to-day demands of in-home hospice, the custody of his two-year old granddaughter, and the devastating realities of Bambi’s decline.
American Medical Women's Association | Eliza Chin, MD, Executive Director
“An intimate look at the beauty and challenges of caring for a loved one at home.”
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization | Edo Banach, President and CEO
“Caregiver: A Love Story shines a light on the demands of caregiving, which are unacknowledged and undervalued in our society.”
BJ Miller, MD, Palliative Care Physician and Author of A Beginner’s Guide to the End
“Caregiving is the most important American healthcare crisis that no one is talking about.”
Katy Butler, Author of Knocking on Heaven's Door and The Art of Dying Well
“This informative and heartbreakingly honest film validates the unrecognized millions who support the people they love.”
Lucy Kalanithi, MD, widow of Dr. Paul Kalanithi, author of When Breath Becomes Air
“Soulful and starkly honest—a moving picture of the joys and costs of caregiving. It will move families, health systems, and policy-makers alike.”
Shoshana Berger, coauthor of A Beginner’s Guide to the End
“Shining a light on the hidden financial, emotional, and physical toll of this work, the film [Caregiver: A Love Story] makes a compelling case for stopping business as usual and demanding we do more to care for our caregivers.”
Citation
Main credits
Zitter, Jessica Nutik (film director)
Zitter, Jessica Nutik (film producer)
Gordon, Kevin (film director)
Gordon, Kevin (film producer)
Gordon, Kevin (editor of moving image work)
Other credits
Cinemtography, Clare Major and Shaleece Haas; editor, Kevin Gordon; music, William Ryan Fritch.
Distributor subjects
Gerontology; Psychology; Social Work; Grief/Bereavement; Palliative Medicine; Hospice; Caregiving/Caregiver; End of Life; Nursing; American Studies; Documentary and Film Studies; Jewish Studies; Spirituality/ Religion/ChaplaincyKeywords
WEBVTT
00:00:04.820 --> 00:00:05.989
You\'re strumming out.
00:00:05.990 --> 00:00:07.809
David, your turn.
00:00:07.810 --> 00:00:08.720
This is complicated.
00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:09.220
No.
00:00:09.220 --> 00:00:09.580
No.
00:00:09.580 --> 00:00:10.090
Too slow.
00:00:10.090 --> 00:00:10.510
Too boring.
00:00:10.510 --> 00:00:11.010
Too slow.
00:00:11.011 --> 00:00:12.099
\"River of Dreams?\"
00:00:12.100 --> 00:00:12.600
No.
00:00:12.600 --> 00:00:13.560
No.
00:00:13.560 --> 00:00:14.060
No.
00:00:14.060 --> 00:00:15.060
No.
00:00:21.408 --> 00:00:22.450
Yeah, that would be cool.
00:00:25.444 --> 00:00:27.440
He\'s muscling your hand.
00:00:34.925 --> 00:00:36.921
Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
00:00:41.076 --> 00:00:42.908
[MUSIC - LE ZEPPELIN, \"STAIRWAY
TO HEAVEN\"]
00:00:42.909 --> 00:00:46.809
(SINGING) If there\'s no
bustle in your hedgerow,
00:00:46.810 --> 00:00:48.691
don\'t be alarmed now.
00:00:48.692 --> 00:00:54.092
It\'s just a spring
clean for the May queen.
00:00:54.093 --> 00:01:00.475
Yes, there are two paths you
can go by, but in the long run,
00:01:00.476 --> 00:01:06.389
there\'s still time to
change the road you\'re on.
00:01:06.390 --> 00:01:08.789
My boys decided
to make T-shirts.
00:01:08.790 --> 00:01:11.079
I don\'t know if
they\'ll ever wear them.
00:01:11.080 --> 00:01:13.079
We went to California to
visit our dying mother,
00:01:13.080 --> 00:01:14.747
and all we got are
these lousy T-shirts.
00:01:18.570 --> 00:01:20.139
This is us.
00:01:20.140 --> 00:01:21.539
This is us.
00:01:21.540 --> 00:01:24.569
What a way to go.
00:01:24.570 --> 00:01:26.384
With music, and family.
00:01:26.385 --> 00:01:27.869
But music is so therapeutic.
00:01:27.870 --> 00:01:29.219
No.
00:01:29.220 --> 00:01:34.309
And to see Bambi just laughing
and enjoying herself again
00:01:34.310 --> 00:01:36.364
because for the longest
time she wasn\'t.
00:01:36.365 --> 00:01:39.139
You can crawl into a
corner, sit there cry,
00:01:39.140 --> 00:01:43.429
and just whittle away, or
take every minute you have
00:01:43.430 --> 00:01:47.152
and enjoy the love and the
outpouring and treasuring that,
00:01:47.153 --> 00:01:48.320
and that\'s what we\'re doing.
00:01:53.732 --> 00:01:57.411
As long as he doesn\'t have
to wipe my butt, he\'s OK.
00:01:57.412 --> 00:01:58.679
Yeah, I\'m not into that.
00:01:58.680 --> 00:01:59.600
It\'s OK.
00:01:59.600 --> 00:02:00.010
He doesn\'t have to be.
00:02:00.010 --> 00:02:00.890
That\'s not your job.
00:02:00.891 --> 00:02:02.507
It\'s not his job.
00:02:02.508 --> 00:02:04.549
No, I\'m not going to say
I\'m not scared shitless.
00:02:04.550 --> 00:02:05.721
I am.
00:02:05.722 --> 00:02:07.929
Who doesn\'t want to just go
to sleep and not wake up,
00:02:07.930 --> 00:02:09.016
you know?
00:02:09.017 --> 00:02:11.599
But it will be what it will be,
and with the help of everybody
00:02:11.600 --> 00:02:16.099
here, it\'ll be a
smooth transition.
00:02:16.100 --> 00:02:19.594
This is a journey for
the end of her life
00:02:19.595 --> 00:02:22.079
and going along
with her on that,
00:02:22.080 --> 00:02:24.080
I want to give her the
best care I can give her.
00:02:38.520 --> 00:02:39.989
Well, it\'s like my
boys, they asked
00:02:39.990 --> 00:02:42.839
me to basically take
a book and write down
00:02:42.840 --> 00:02:45.479
all my recipes that they love.
00:02:45.480 --> 00:02:48.149
Flavors, tastes,
smells, they trigger
00:02:48.150 --> 00:02:50.549
those beautiful memories.
00:02:50.550 --> 00:02:55.974
Bambi, if you have time, may I
have your cabbage soup recipe?
00:02:55.975 --> 00:02:57.539
If you feel that you can.
00:02:57.540 --> 00:02:58.540
If not, I understand.
00:02:58.540 --> 00:02:59.502
No, we\'ve got time.
00:02:59.503 --> 00:03:01.209
I\'m not going anywhere
today or tomorrow.
00:03:01.210 --> 00:03:02.793
I\'ll take care of
that recipe for you.
00:03:06.920 --> 00:03:10.182
Rick and I were set up
through a dating website.
00:03:10.183 --> 00:03:11.599
We were both
divorced, and we were
00:03:11.600 --> 00:03:16.129
looking for a new relationship,
a companion, and love.
00:03:16.130 --> 00:03:19.154
Bambi was in New Jersey,
and I was from California.
00:03:19.155 --> 00:03:21.529
We would speak on the phone
and Skype and everything else
00:03:21.530 --> 00:03:23.869
and just it all connected
and then started
00:03:23.870 --> 00:03:27.019
flying back and
forth for two years.
00:03:27.020 --> 00:03:29.329
And then last year when I
had the partial small bowel
00:03:29.330 --> 00:03:31.549
obstruction, in the
back of my mind,
00:03:31.550 --> 00:03:34.739
I knew the cancer was
starting to take over.
00:03:34.740 --> 00:03:37.499
We weren\'t engaged yet, and
I got on the phone with him
00:03:37.500 --> 00:03:41.799
and told him this is your
get out of jail free card.
00:03:41.800 --> 00:03:43.029
You didn\'t sign up for this.
00:03:43.030 --> 00:03:45.669
You didn\'t know this
was going to happen.
00:03:45.670 --> 00:03:46.660
No regrets.
00:03:46.661 --> 00:03:49.059
No guilt. I love you,
but I would truly
00:03:49.060 --> 00:03:52.479
understand if you felt
you had to book and run.
00:03:52.480 --> 00:03:53.529
I\'m not going anywhere.
00:03:53.530 --> 00:03:58.579
Next weekend he came out,
pulls out his cell phone
00:03:58.580 --> 00:04:00.979
and starts playing the
old song \"With This Ring,
00:04:00.980 --> 00:04:02.559
I Will Always Love You.\"
00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:03.689
Pulled out a box.
00:04:03.690 --> 00:04:05.679
I didn\'t even open up the box.
00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:07.779
Just fell into its
arms and said yes.
00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:15.780
We experienced a lot of love
that I didn\'t have previously,
00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:20.069
and I would never
want to give that up.
00:04:20.070 --> 00:04:22.169
When you married her and
you knew she was sick,
00:04:22.170 --> 00:04:24.509
what did you imagine happening?
00:04:24.510 --> 00:04:26.979
It was pretty well
under control.
00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:29.479
It\'s like we were going to have
a pretty good life together.
00:04:29.480 --> 00:04:31.779
In between us, we were
going to do really well.
00:04:31.780 --> 00:04:33.569
You know, we wanted to travel.
00:04:33.570 --> 00:04:38.599
We wanted to go and do
places and grow together.
00:04:38.600 --> 00:04:41.819
It worked for
about seven months.
00:04:41.820 --> 00:04:43.320
And they found the
brain metastasis.
00:04:48.210 --> 00:04:50.099
When you\'ve gone through
the gamut over four
00:04:50.100 --> 00:04:54.929
years of radiation, stereotactic
radio surgery, open surgery
00:04:54.930 --> 00:04:59.169
times 3, I finally said,
you know with all the pain,
00:04:59.170 --> 00:05:01.189
it\'s just... it\'s not
worth it anymore.
00:05:01.190 --> 00:05:05.079
I need to have that
quality of life,
00:05:05.080 --> 00:05:06.939
to be cognizant
of my surroundings
00:05:06.940 --> 00:05:12.459
and still be able to articulate
what I need to articulate.
00:05:12.460 --> 00:05:15.339
Put things in order so
when the time comes,
00:05:15.340 --> 00:05:19.129
hopefully, it will just
be peaceful and quiet
00:05:19.130 --> 00:05:22.589
and not cause too much
pain to the ones I love.
00:05:22.590 --> 00:05:24.819
And it wasn\'t just that
it was my decision,
00:05:24.820 --> 00:05:27.519
but it had to be a
decision with Rick too.
00:05:27.520 --> 00:05:30.309
I think it\'s a
kinder way for her.
00:05:30.310 --> 00:05:31.300
She\'s not in pain.
00:05:31.301 --> 00:05:34.369
She\'s comfortable.
00:05:34.370 --> 00:05:36.409
We\'re just thrust into
the role sometimes,
00:05:36.410 --> 00:05:39.119
and you have to step up.
00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:40.929
I mean, when everyone
is gone in a week,
00:05:40.930 --> 00:05:43.839
it\'ll be a little bit
more difficult for Rick.
00:05:43.840 --> 00:05:47.199
But our friends and family
you\'re so supportive
00:05:47.200 --> 00:05:48.130
and will help.
00:05:48.131 --> 00:05:49.905
So that\'s not a problem.
00:05:49.906 --> 00:05:50.480
Bye, Bambi.
00:05:50.480 --> 00:05:50.980
Bye.
00:05:50.980 --> 00:05:51.980
Love you guys.
00:06:10.890 --> 00:06:13.289
The main mission of
hospice is to make her life
00:06:13.290 --> 00:06:17.119
less painful, more meaningful.
00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:20.789
And aid checks in on Bambi three
times a week for 45 minutes.
00:06:20.790 --> 00:06:23.519
We have a nurse who comes in
once a week and is on call
00:06:23.520 --> 00:06:26.099
anytime we need her.
00:06:26.100 --> 00:06:27.690
And I\'m responsible
for the rest.
00:06:30.990 --> 00:06:33.089
My main task as a
caregiver, making
00:06:33.090 --> 00:06:35.879
sure she gets the proper
medicine at the right time,
00:06:35.880 --> 00:06:37.229
preparing food.
00:06:37.230 --> 00:06:38.729
When she has to go
to the bathroom,
00:06:38.730 --> 00:06:41.969
I\'m there to assist
her with that.
00:06:41.970 --> 00:06:44.129
It was a pretty big
decision because I basically
00:06:44.130 --> 00:06:45.989
had to leave work.
00:06:45.990 --> 00:06:47.940
Now, I\'m drawing down
my savings to do that.
00:06:51.630 --> 00:06:55.330
I\'m not trained for this, but
this is the best thing for her.
00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:11.129
How are you feeling?
00:07:11.130 --> 00:07:13.409
I had a really, really
rough day yesterday.
00:07:13.410 --> 00:07:15.599
I was actually very, very
uncomfortable yesterday
00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:17.049
for the first time.
00:07:17.050 --> 00:07:19.529
So I called out for
help, and they helped.
00:07:19.530 --> 00:07:21.329
My appetite is
still pretty good.
00:07:21.330 --> 00:07:25.319
It\'s not too bad, and
I\'m going to the bathroom
00:07:25.320 --> 00:07:27.519
fairly regularly, so...
00:07:27.520 --> 00:07:28.020
Good.
00:07:28.021 --> 00:07:29.429
That\'s not an issue either.
00:07:29.430 --> 00:07:30.180
It could be today.
00:07:30.180 --> 00:07:31.055
It could be tomorrow.
00:07:31.056 --> 00:07:32.789
It could be two months from now.
00:07:32.790 --> 00:07:34.391
How is Rick?
00:07:34.392 --> 00:07:35.589
A rock.
00:07:35.590 --> 00:07:36.170
It\'s amazing.
00:07:36.171 --> 00:07:38.749
Well, how you\'re handling this?
00:07:38.750 --> 00:07:39.292
Today.
00:07:39.293 --> 00:07:40.750
Who knows what
tomorrow will bring.
00:07:45.140 --> 00:07:47.849
[INAUDIBLE]
00:07:47.850 --> 00:07:48.999
No, straighter.
00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:50.189
Is that better?
00:07:50.190 --> 00:07:51.379
Is that in there?
00:07:51.380 --> 00:07:53.479
I think it\'s in.
00:07:53.480 --> 00:07:54.480
OK, let\'s look.
00:07:57.322 --> 00:07:57.822
Again.
00:07:57.823 --> 00:07:59.258
Up again.
00:07:59.259 --> 00:08:00.406
Up you went.
00:08:00.407 --> 00:08:01.898
OK, Rrroar!
00:08:07.370 --> 00:08:09.829
Rick\'s oldest
daughter is Mya\'s mom,
00:08:09.830 --> 00:08:13.489
and she can\'t handle being a
mom right now, and that\'s fine.
00:08:13.490 --> 00:08:18.769
She asked us to step up to the
plate in the fall, and we are.
00:08:18.770 --> 00:08:19.270
Yeah.
00:08:19.271 --> 00:08:21.319
Mya, come on in here.
00:08:21.320 --> 00:08:24.679
I miss you.
00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:26.929
Ooh, you want to
come up here with me?
00:08:26.930 --> 00:08:28.699
Yes.
00:08:28.700 --> 00:08:31.099
She knows things are different.
00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:33.499
She knows I\'m not well, but
it\'s like she comes up here,
00:08:33.500 --> 00:08:37.319
and we sit, and we eat
together, and we bond.
00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:39.287
Rick and her are going
to need a lot of help,
00:08:39.288 --> 00:08:40.580
but I know it\'s there for them.
00:09:03.260 --> 00:09:06.329
You\'re not your
usual sharp self?
00:09:06.330 --> 00:09:07.619
Not at all.
00:09:07.620 --> 00:09:09.719
Well, part of it might
also be a little bit
00:09:09.720 --> 00:09:14.549
of morphine relaxing you
and taking the edge off.
00:09:14.550 --> 00:09:16.709
I\'ve gotten to the point that...
00:09:16.710 --> 00:09:18.379
I\'ll be very honest...
00:09:18.380 --> 00:09:21.839
Rick is very helpful
getting me on the commode.
00:09:21.840 --> 00:09:27.629
But you know what, if I have to
wear Depends, I wear Depends.
00:09:27.630 --> 00:09:29.219
But that\'s huge.
00:09:29.220 --> 00:09:32.729
You weren\'t willing to
do that a few weeks back.
00:09:32.730 --> 00:09:35.819
What changed?
00:09:35.820 --> 00:09:38.289
Too hard.
00:09:38.290 --> 00:09:39.749
Are you feeling lonely?
00:09:39.750 --> 00:09:41.379
A little bit.
00:09:41.380 --> 00:09:42.669
Sometimes.
00:09:42.670 --> 00:09:47.749
Rick makes fun of me, but
I need this to put TV on.
00:09:47.750 --> 00:09:50.929
It\'s white noise,
check me mirror here,
00:09:50.930 --> 00:09:54.259
and literally,
just held my feet.
00:09:54.260 --> 00:09:56.389
Just rubbed my feet.
00:09:56.390 --> 00:09:58.579
That\'s all I needed.
00:09:58.580 --> 00:10:00.381
I really am ready.
00:10:00.382 --> 00:10:02.147
You tired?
00:10:02.148 --> 00:10:04.319
Yeah.
00:10:04.320 --> 00:10:08.599
Very, very tired.
00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:10.159
Just waiting for news.
00:10:10.160 --> 00:10:11.629
From what?
00:10:11.630 --> 00:10:13.159
Baby.
00:10:13.160 --> 00:10:15.919
That\'s all.
00:10:15.920 --> 00:10:17.749
My youngest son\'s wife
is due in two weeks
00:10:17.750 --> 00:10:19.799
with their first baby.
00:10:19.800 --> 00:10:24.899
That\'s my next goal is
to see that baby born.
00:10:24.900 --> 00:10:25.845
How are you?
00:10:25.846 --> 00:10:27.839
I\'m hanging in there.
00:10:27.840 --> 00:10:32.429
That\'s a little tough, but
I\'m doing the best I can.
00:10:32.430 --> 00:10:35.399
Her strength is diminishing.
00:10:35.400 --> 00:10:37.349
She needs someone
around all the time.
00:10:37.350 --> 00:10:38.860
I\'m on call 24/7.
00:10:42.525 --> 00:10:44.149
Even though people
are coming to visit,
00:10:44.150 --> 00:10:47.019
it\'s not really a rest
for me because they
00:10:47.020 --> 00:10:50.449
have to be trained in
knowing what to do.
00:10:50.450 --> 00:10:52.779
I can\'t expect them to
get Bambi out of a bed
00:10:52.780 --> 00:10:56.245
and onto a commode,
and that was a fiasco.
00:11:02.410 --> 00:11:04.599
We\'ve discussed
getting a caregiver,
00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:07.629
but it\'s too expensive,
and I\'m not working.
00:11:07.630 --> 00:11:09.020
I just can\'t handle that.
00:11:21.942 --> 00:11:24.427
[INAUDIBLE]
00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:28.834
Did she just get to sleep?
00:11:28.835 --> 00:11:30.719
[INAUDIBLE] sees it happen now.
00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:33.099
But look what happened.
00:11:33.100 --> 00:11:35.129
Bambi.
00:11:35.130 --> 00:11:36.130
Hi, Cookie.
00:11:40.340 --> 00:11:42.939
How are you?
00:11:42.940 --> 00:11:45.909
So so?
00:11:45.910 --> 00:11:48.769
You tired?
00:11:48.770 --> 00:11:51.139
No breathing problems?
00:11:51.140 --> 00:11:52.120
Yes, there are.
00:11:52.121 --> 00:11:53.499
You feel short of breath?
00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:54.380
All the time.
00:11:54.381 --> 00:11:55.879
I\'m just thinking
maybe we can go up
00:11:55.880 --> 00:11:59.291
on your dose a little bit, make
you feel like you\'re breathing
00:11:59.292 --> 00:12:00.499
is a little more comfortable.
00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:01.500
Right.
00:12:06.040 --> 00:12:07.040
You ready?
00:12:09.830 --> 00:12:13.119
You want to sip on your...
00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:14.120
Here.
00:12:17.460 --> 00:12:21.139
Do you want to sip?
00:12:21.140 --> 00:12:23.509
So I just called them.
00:12:23.510 --> 00:12:25.426
I just called hospice.
00:12:25.427 --> 00:12:27.509
They\'re going to call me
back in about 10 minutes.
00:12:27.510 --> 00:12:29.489
But I think what
I\'m hoping they\'re
00:12:29.490 --> 00:12:32.702
going to do is raise the
methadone dose a little bit
00:12:32.703 --> 00:12:33.869
because she\'s uncomfortable.
00:12:33.870 --> 00:12:35.621
She\'s still short
of breath, so now
00:12:35.622 --> 00:12:36.871
she\'s sleeping more from the...
00:12:36.872 --> 00:12:37.372
Careful.
00:12:37.372 --> 00:12:38.050
This is...
00:12:38.051 --> 00:12:40.589
I know.
00:12:40.590 --> 00:12:44.769
I really can\'t go up on it more
often than every three days.
00:12:44.770 --> 00:12:47.974
So if we go up on it today...
00:12:47.975 --> 00:12:49.100
Yeah, we started on Sunday.
00:12:52.860 --> 00:12:55.514
So you don\'t want to increase
it more than every three days,
00:12:55.515 --> 00:12:57.681
so if we go up on it today,
it\'s another three days.
00:12:57.682 --> 00:13:00.999
The decline has been more
difficult than I expected.
00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:03.759
Two, three, four times a
night, I\'m getting up and down.
00:13:03.760 --> 00:13:06.179
I\'m just weary.
00:13:06.180 --> 00:13:08.919
It\'s not just a tiredness,
physical weariness,
00:13:08.920 --> 00:13:11.889
it\'s an emotional weariness too.
00:13:11.890 --> 00:13:14.620
And I feel like my health
is deteriorating with hers.
00:13:18.530 --> 00:13:20.109
She had zero appetite.
00:13:20.110 --> 00:13:23.029
Even her coffee, which
she drinks every day she
00:13:23.030 --> 00:13:24.707
didn\'t hardly touch.
00:13:24.708 --> 00:13:27.249
As you said, is there a point
at which the person cannot stay
00:13:27.250 --> 00:13:28.399
in their house anymore.
00:13:28.400 --> 00:13:29.949
There\'s no right answer to that.
00:13:29.950 --> 00:13:32.074
Asking for more support
from hospice if you need it
00:13:32.075 --> 00:13:35.469
is really important because they
have a lot of built-in support.
00:13:35.470 --> 00:13:37.419
And soon as you just
say, I need more time.
00:13:37.420 --> 00:13:38.200
I need more volunteers.
00:13:38.201 --> 00:13:40.782
Yeah, what they offered me was
about a volunteer for two hours
00:13:40.783 --> 00:13:41.799
one day a week.
00:13:41.800 --> 00:13:42.370
That\'s it?
00:13:42.371 --> 00:13:43.919
That\'s what they offered.
00:13:43.920 --> 00:13:46.599
And when I get back,
Medicare won\'t pay for it.
00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:49.429
So we don\'t get
reimbursed for that.
00:13:49.430 --> 00:13:52.759
The caregiver saves the
system a ton of money.
00:13:52.760 --> 00:13:56.299
The system doesn\'t recognize
how they burn out the caregiver.
00:13:56.300 --> 00:13:58.759
It\'d be nice to get three or
four hours to the caregiver
00:13:58.760 --> 00:13:59.869
just to get away.
00:13:59.870 --> 00:14:00.800
Can I go to the gym?
00:14:00.801 --> 00:14:04.069
Can I even get out to
go grocery shopping?
00:14:04.070 --> 00:14:06.899
Can I even spend a few hours so
I can really focus on my work,
00:14:06.900 --> 00:14:09.949
so I can get something
done and get paid for it.
00:14:09.950 --> 00:14:12.469
You have to reach hard
once in a while, otherwise,
00:14:12.470 --> 00:14:15.229
you just lose it.
00:14:15.230 --> 00:14:16.230
What happened.
00:14:19.190 --> 00:14:21.665
[INAUDIBLE]
00:14:54.830 --> 00:14:56.539
I can understand why
people don\'t really
00:14:56.540 --> 00:14:58.269
want to go into a nursing home.
00:14:58.270 --> 00:15:00.379
It\'s a hospital room.
00:15:00.380 --> 00:15:02.689
She didn\'t really
want to go, but she
00:15:02.690 --> 00:15:05.819
knew that I needed the break.
00:15:05.820 --> 00:15:07.449
I did feel very guilty.
00:15:07.450 --> 00:15:09.899
I was relegating my
responsibilities towards her
00:15:09.900 --> 00:15:11.739
to someone else.
00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:13.869
On the other hand, I
was constantly tired.
00:15:13.870 --> 00:15:16.139
I hadn\'t had a full
night\'s sleep in months
00:15:16.140 --> 00:15:17.979
and just getting a rest
that I can come back
00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:19.839
and I could be more present.
00:15:19.840 --> 00:15:21.709
I could be more with it.
00:15:21.710 --> 00:15:23.109
And I was less angry.
00:15:23.110 --> 00:15:26.499
I could handle it better.
00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:31.893
In the five days she was there,
she degraded quite a bit.
00:15:31.894 --> 00:15:34.329
Hi, Bambi.
00:15:34.330 --> 00:15:35.320
How are you feeling?
00:15:35.321 --> 00:15:37.269
Are you comfortable?
00:15:37.270 --> 00:15:39.139
You\'re not in pain.
00:15:39.140 --> 00:15:39.640
Good.
00:15:39.641 --> 00:15:41.182
Do you want a pillow
under your head?
00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:45.100
No?
00:15:45.101 --> 00:15:48.591
Voted most likely to
succeed in high school?
00:15:48.592 --> 00:15:49.592
Not me.
00:15:52.875 --> 00:15:55.499
Your mom and dad called a couple
of times this morning already.
00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:57.541
You want to say hi to them?
00:15:57.542 --> 00:15:58.466
No.
00:15:58.467 --> 00:16:01.859
A little bit later maybe?
00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:03.979
The breathing is a
little bit of a struggle.
00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:06.389
She said she was having
trouble breathing earlier.
00:16:06.390 --> 00:16:07.240
Yeah.
00:16:07.241 --> 00:16:10.269
How do you feel breathing
wise right now, honey?
00:16:10.270 --> 00:16:11.869
OK.
00:16:11.870 --> 00:16:15.299
How\'s the grandbaby?
00:16:15.300 --> 00:16:16.611
Have you been Skyping?
00:16:16.612 --> 00:16:17.612
Really?
00:16:37.944 --> 00:16:39.539
Can you see her son in her?
00:16:39.540 --> 00:16:40.799
Uh-huh.
00:16:40.800 --> 00:16:41.800
Absolutely.
00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:46.600
Sleep well, honey, OK?
00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.840
You\'re doing great.
00:17:01.474 --> 00:17:04.880
Do you want to build
it up from here?
00:17:04.881 --> 00:17:06.088
We\'re going to make a window.
00:17:06.089 --> 00:17:07.570
It\'s the window.
00:17:07.571 --> 00:17:09.549
Did you make a window?
00:17:09.550 --> 00:17:10.069
OK, Mya.
00:17:10.070 --> 00:17:11.321
Let\'s build it up.
00:17:11.322 --> 00:17:14.479
Build it up a little bit away.
00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:16.578
What else can we do?
00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:17.450
What\'s this, Mya?
00:17:17.451 --> 00:17:18.789
What\'s this?
00:17:18.790 --> 00:17:20.459
Ah-oh.
00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:21.684
Timber!
00:17:21.685 --> 00:17:24.939
1, 2, 3.
00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:26.429
There\'s a big part
of me that says,
00:17:26.430 --> 00:17:28.079
I just want to get on with life.
00:17:33.207 --> 00:17:34.540
This isn\'t what I signed up for.
00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:47.460
OK, Bambi, let\'s
flip this on now.
00:17:50.202 --> 00:17:52.029
Let\'s see how that feels.
00:17:52.030 --> 00:17:54.479
Is that too tight on your head?
00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:56.610
You still have a nebulizer
going from there.
00:18:02.598 --> 00:18:07.088
Holding it is making it worse.
00:18:07.089 --> 00:18:08.089
[INAUDIBLE]
00:18:12.090 --> 00:18:13.149
Hey, it\'s Rabbi Albert.
00:18:13.150 --> 00:18:14.683
How are you?
00:18:14.684 --> 00:18:17.059
Good to see you.
00:18:17.060 --> 00:18:18.339
Do you feel calm?
00:18:18.340 --> 00:18:22.069
Do you feel... you have
a lot to be proud of,
00:18:22.070 --> 00:18:25.209
a beautiful granddaughter,
three great sons.
00:18:25.210 --> 00:18:28.099
Mya is doing well.
00:18:28.100 --> 00:18:30.609
It\'s going to be OK.
00:18:30.610 --> 00:18:32.787
I mention that there\'s
a prayer to say...
00:18:32.788 --> 00:18:34.329
And you mentioned
that you\'re feeling
00:18:34.330 --> 00:18:36.309
like you\'re ready to go.
00:18:36.310 --> 00:18:38.619
Does that feel like
the right time?
00:18:38.620 --> 00:18:39.480
OK.
00:18:39.481 --> 00:18:43.119
We\'ll do a few different
things together.
00:18:43.120 --> 00:18:45.249
\"I give thanks to you,
God, in whose hand
00:18:45.250 --> 00:18:48.039
is my recovery and my
death for all the life
00:18:48.040 --> 00:18:51.129
and the necessities of life
that you\'ve provided for me.
00:18:51.130 --> 00:18:55.283
I forgive everyone, and I ask
that everyone forgive me too.
00:18:55.284 --> 00:18:58.539
May the Lord bless
you and safeguard you.
00:18:58.540 --> 00:19:00.489
May the Lord shine his
countenance upon you
00:19:00.490 --> 00:19:02.159
and be gracious to you.
00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:03.729
May the Lord bestow
favor upon you,
00:19:03.730 --> 00:19:06.549
and grant you
tranquility and peace.\"
00:19:06.550 --> 00:19:09.649
Shema, Yiisrael.
00:19:09.650 --> 00:19:12.719
Adonai, Eloheinu.
00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:15.309
Adonai Echad.
00:19:15.310 --> 00:19:18.550
[SPEAKING HEBREW]
00:19:19.330 --> 00:19:20.989
[SPEAKING HEBREW]
00:19:20.990 --> 00:19:21.790
[SPEAKING HEBREW]
00:19:21.791 --> 00:19:23.230
[SPEAKING HEBREW]
00:19:25.650 --> 00:19:28.040
[SPEAKING HEBREW]
00:19:42.928 --> 00:19:44.719
Thank you so much,
everyone, for being here
00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:48.349
to pay tribute to Bambi Fass.
00:19:48.350 --> 00:19:50.715
I\'d like to ask Rick
to share a few words.
00:19:53.730 --> 00:19:56.869
Her heart was as big and
warm as anyone you will find,
00:19:56.870 --> 00:19:59.099
and if she were to give
us all advice today,
00:19:59.100 --> 00:20:02.159
she would quote from one of
her favorite songwriters,
00:20:02.160 --> 00:20:07.169
\"You got to get up every morning
with a smile on your face
00:20:07.170 --> 00:20:12.610
and show the world all
the love in your heart.\"
00:20:15.800 --> 00:20:16.300
I miss you.
00:20:16.301 --> 00:20:17.592
I love you my beautiful, Bambi.
00:20:41.326 --> 00:20:44.805
Father, can I have my lunch?
00:20:52.290 --> 00:20:56.609
The day Bambi died,
I was just lost.
00:20:56.610 --> 00:21:00.779
For months, you\'re a caretaker
for someone who\'s dying,
00:21:00.780 --> 00:21:03.869
but you\'re not prepared
for what happens after.
00:21:03.870 --> 00:21:07.089
For about a year and a half,
I could not handle stress.
00:21:07.090 --> 00:21:08.969
So for me to jump
right back into work
00:21:08.970 --> 00:21:12.239
would have been very difficult,
and it took me a long time
00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:15.299
to get over that.
00:21:15.300 --> 00:21:17.129
Mya has been really good.
00:21:17.130 --> 00:21:19.799
She still talks about
missing Grandma Bambi,
00:21:19.800 --> 00:21:20.949
and we talk about that.
00:21:20.950 --> 00:21:22.739
We say we can miss
her, but we can
00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:24.699
remember her, the
love we had for her,
00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:28.124
and the love she had for us.
00:21:28.125 --> 00:21:29.951
Who\'s that?
00:21:29.952 --> 00:21:31.759
Bambi.
00:21:31.760 --> 00:21:33.843
Me.
00:21:33.844 --> 00:21:36.189
Bambi.
00:21:36.190 --> 00:21:38.822
Being a caregiver
was very difficult.
00:21:38.823 --> 00:21:40.239
There were times
I was questioning
00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:41.634
why am I doing this?
00:21:41.635 --> 00:21:42.970
It was all about love.
00:21:46.316 --> 00:21:49.740
But I have no regrets
about marrying her at all.
00:21:52.830 --> 00:21:55.789
Those were amongst the
best years of my life.
00:21:55.790 --> 00:21:57.249
I would not want
to replace that.
00:21:57.250 --> 00:21:59.940
I would not lose
that for anything.