Atfirst,hergoalwasjustmanagingherdailydifficulties.
Thehospiceteamsetupahospitalbedonthefirstfloor
soshewouldn’thavetonavigatethestairs.Theyputa
portable commodeatthebedside.Theyorganizedhelp
forbathingandgettingdressed.Theygavehermorphine,
gabapentin, and oxycodone to control her pain, and
methylphenidateprovedhelpfulforcombatingthestupor
they induced.
Heranxietiesplummetedas thechallengescame under
control.Sheraisedhersights.“Shewasfocusedonthe
main chance,”Martinlater said. “She came to a clear
viewofhowshewantedtolivetherestofherdays.She
was going to be home, and she was going to teach.”
Ittookplanningandgreatexpertisetomakeeachlesson
possible.Deborahhelpedherlearnhowtocalibrateher
medications. “Beforeshe would teach, shewould take
some additional morphine. The trick was to give her
enoughtobecomfortabletoteachandnotsomuchthat
she would be groggy,” Martin recalled.
Nonetheless,hesaid,“Shewasmorealiverunningupto
alessonandforthedaysafter.”She’dhadnochildren;
herstudents filledthat placeforher. Andshe stillhad
somethingsshewantedthemtoknowbeforeshewent.
“Itwasimportanttohertobeabletosayhergood-byes
to her dear friends, to give her parting advice to her
students.”
Shelivedsixfullweeksaftergoingonhospice.Hunter
hadlessonsforfourofthem,andthentwofinalconcerts
were played. One featured Peg’s former students,
accomplished performersfrom around thecountry,the