My phone started ringing just as I unlocked my office door.
The call was from Sam, a friend I met in law school. After earning his J.D., Sam chose to stay in Arizona to practice law while I somehow made my way to Maine and, ultimately, to a small mid-central community to build an Elder Law practice. After all, with a nursing background, 20+ years advising healthcare organizations, some guardianship work, and running a small, family-owned business, I was sure I had all the tools I needed!
Sam’s Aunt Tilda was living in Belfast, Maine, and had just been admitted two days ago to the local hospital with shortness of breath, a slight fever, and a vague sense of not feeling well. The results of a COVID test were pending, but she was admitted and, up until very recently, resting comfortably. Late the night before, her shortness of breath had increased, her fever was up, and, according to the doctor, there were some “troublesome areas” on her chest x-ray.
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