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a final request

Redmerle

New Member
My friend of many years just contacted me to let me know his illness is overtaking him and he will most likely have a year (more or less) until he passes on. He very much wants to walk the camino with me. I expect he will be very short on strength and somewhat frail so I am going to try to do all the planning in advance that I can to make it as easy as possible. I want to help him accomplish his dream. I think it would be best we start in Sarria walking only as much as he can on any given day. Please, please any advice you have on walking with a gravely ill man would be welcome.
 
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Redmerle, it is so wonderful what you are doing for your friend. Heartwarming, sad but still puts a smile on my face ;)

I think Sarria is a great start and the CF the right choice as mentioned before (infrastructure, accommodation, restaurants, special services). Try to include/note some emergency scenarios like close by hospitals, special numbers to call (not only 112, but also those from the local ambulance), the contact number of the doctor in duty at home, etc - just in case. With this you should be well prepared.

But most importantly, make the best out of it. If it's only 3km a day, who cares. You still will meet great people, have an awesome time with lot's of laugh and think more about to live, even if only for shorter, rather than about dying soon.

Wish you all the best and good luck. I hope I will have a good friend as you are when it actually counts. :)
 
keep a note of any taxi numbers you see posted around on lampposts etc. They might come in handy if he tires quickly. As others have intimated the Camino will provide. Soe Spanish translation's of prescriptions' and diagnosis could come in handy. The Spanish health system I have found to be quite good. Most off all enjoy the wonderful world we live in.
 
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I see you are new on the forum. Have you done the Camino already or do you need links to the general information as well. Ask us and we can give you links to the Threads you need.
I know when you are dealing with grief and sorrow sometimes it might not be easy to think straight. Let us help if we can.

Our thoughts are with you.

Kathy
 
My friend of many years just contacted me to let me know his illness is overtaking him and he will most likely have a year (more or less) until he passes on. He very much wants to walk the camino with me. I expect he will be very short on strength and somewhat frail so I am going to try to do all the planning in advance that I can to make it as easy as possible. I want to help him accomplish his dream. I think it would be best we start in Sarria walking only as much as he can on any given day. Please, please any advice you have on walking with a gravely ill man would be welcome.
While on the Camino Frances in 2015 we would often be with an older Korean couple on our journey. One night we were together in the kitchen of the albergue and after talking I gave them a knotted rosary that I made and the husband broke out in tears and started telling me that his doctor told him there was nothing more he could do for his cancer, so he asked the doctor if it would be okay to walk the Camino.
The doctor told him that prayer was the best thing he could do at this time. He was crying because he was ashamed that he was having their gear forwarded instead of carrying it. They were keeping the same pace with us at times and she was going to email a picture she took of us together but I never got it and I didn't get her info. Take your journey day by day and I will say a rosary for your friend.
 
I find that more and more I walk the Camino in memory of loved ones. You are lucky to be able to walk it with him, sharing your precious time together. You have a wonderful life-affirming plan and I am sure it will be unforgettable. The stretch between Sarria and Santiago, as others have said, is filled with accommodations, places to stop, ways to get taxis, etc. If you can go with the flow and not have a specific destination in mind every day, I think you will be fine. It may take 5 days and it may take 15, but like everyone else, my advice is to go for it from Sarria!
 
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My friend of many years just contacted me to let me know his illness is overtaking him and he will most likely have a year (more or less) until he passes on. He very much wants to walk the camino with me. I expect he will be very short on strength and somewhat frail so I am going to try to do all the planning in advance that I can to make it as easy as possible. I want to help him accomplish his dream. I think it would be best we start in Sarria walking only as much as he can on any given day. Please, please any advice you have on walking with a gravely ill man would be welcome.
Sarria is a fantastic start. Take each day as the blessing that is given to you. Look "upwards" not only to greet the sun, moon or stars but for the grace that shines on you and enjoy every moment you enjoy each others company. Will be thinking of you every step of the way.
 
My friend of many years just contacted me to let me know his illness is overtaking him and he will most likely have a year (more or less) until he passes on. He very much wants to walk the camino with me. I expect he will be very short on strength and somewhat frail so I am going to try to do all the planning in advance that I can to make it as easy as possible. I want to help him accomplish his dream. I think it would be best we start in Sarria walking only as much as he can on any given day. Please, please any advice you have on walking with a gravely ill man would be welcome.
It so depends on how ill he is, can he walk easily or not? does he want to do the last bit or just to experience the way? There are very dificult sections and some that are easier, find what you want from it and select the best experience you want. I am going April for the second time and I have Parkinsons disease, so find what your friend can cope with and tailor your Camino to suit, just remember, it;s not a race! Buen Camino
 

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