Page 5 - MidWeek - May 4, 2022

MAY 4, 2022 MIDWEEK 5
Geisele “Gigi” Friedfel
PROOF POSITIVE
Bringing Hope To Others
“Tell the story of our love – share the tragedy of cancer from Agent Orange and how it claimed our world. Tell others like you who still have their vet soldiers to make every moment count before they run out of time. Promise me my love that you will tell others not to let one moment pass
resident Geisele Friedfel’s late husband Jeffrey, who passed away in February 2020 after being diagnosed with cancer caused by Agent Orange (an herbicide mix which he was exposed to from serving in the Vietnam War) just two years earlier. These were the words that resonated in Friedfel’s heart and inspired her to write her poetry book, A Promise To My An- gel., which was released earlier this year. Published by Cecil Williams, a renowned photographer of President John F. Ken- nedy, and with enchanting illustrations by artist Floyd Gordon, Friedfel’s story is “an inspirational journey of love transcending time and space.”
A By Lirio Nagum, Nurse Case Manager
s a nurse case man- ager at Navian Ha- wai‘i, I’m often
“This is more than a nursing job; I feel we have a meaningful purpose because of how we impact people’s lives on a personal level.”
- Lirio Nagum
without embracing life.”
These were the words of Honolulu
asked why I chose to pursue a career within hospice and integrated care. My first an- swer is, I thought my person- ality would fit being a hospice nurse as I am compassionate and want the best for patients and their families. And with that, my real answer is, I have a found a home at Navian Ha- wai‘i.
to replace fear with hope, helping them find the beauty and joy in every moment, and providing each person with the kindness and dignity they deserve.
ten and respond to needs and decrease fear and confusion by providing comfort and un- derstanding.
Friedfel says she wrote the book to honor her husband’s last wishes and hopes readers find peace and a glim- mer of hope sprinkled with happiness throughout the pages of her project.
Friedfel respected his final wishes, to follow their life motto “carpe diem,” and continues to “seize the day,” as it can be seen through her volunteerism with her church, First Baptist Church of Hono- lulu. Her Wednesdays, for example, are spent packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes in the morning, then assisting with free dinner preparation in the after- noon, followed by a bible study and sup- port group she and another church leader facilitate.
Regardless of the type of care, we use a team ap- proach that focuses on our patients’ physical, emotion- al and spiritual well-being. We understand local culture and honor the values and traditions of our patients and their families. Each dedicat- ed care team takes the time to provide the most appropriate care for our patients and we know the importance of con- tinuing to communicate with our patients’ loved ones. It’s an approach shared by every person who works at Navian Hawai‘i.
“It’s not just a love story. (It’s) a story about seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” says Friedfel, who is a grief counselor and administrator for the Facebook group US Wives & Widow Warriors of Agent Orange. “I can help them in their early stages of grief — in their journey to healing.”
“It is in his honor and memory that I pay it forward with a passion that rivals my love for him,” says Friedfel, who also serves as Veterans & Family Sup- port Ambassador for Veterans of Foreign Affairs Auxiliary Post 2875.
In their remaining months together, Friedfel notes that no words were left unsaid as she and her soul mate filled them with meaningful conversation. He reiterated her to promise him she’d tell the world about “the awesome life they had and the devastation cancer leaves in its wake, and to tell other wives who still have their veterans to make every mo- ment count before they run out of time like him.”
She is currently working with a web developer to create a website for those interested in purchasing her book. In the meantime, she may be reached by email at apromisetomyangel@gmail.com.
“Volunteer to help others, disabled vets and their wives when they become a care-
It is through the heartfelt words and captivating illustrations of her book, along with her selfless dedication to the community, that Friedfel is surely keep- ing her promise to her angel.
In the end, I have found my calling at Navian Hawai‘i, and we are looking for other compassionate nurses to join our dedicated team. For more information, visit navianha- waii.org/careers/.
giver like you were for me. Help those grieving. Help the church,” said Jeffrey in his last requests to his wife of nearly 30 years.
This is more than a nursing job; I feel we have a meaning- ful purpose because of how we impact people’s lives on a personal level. As Navian Hawai‘i hospice nurses, we guide patients and their fam- ilies on their journey, deliver- ing comfort and support with a caring heart. We are trained
For me, the greatest re- ward is getting to know and connect with patients and their families and being a part of their lives. As a nurse for Navian (a combination of the words navigator and guardian), my role is to lis-
Navian Hawai‘i was found- ed in 1979 by the community for the community. We are a locally run nonprofit organi- zation. That means what we do is solely to provide care for every life journey. Our mission is to bring hope, re- duce fears and impact lives. We offer integrated care for those with serious but treat- able illnesses, and hospice care for those near their jour- ney’s end.
— Jocelyn Lansangan
At Navian Hawai‘i, Lirio Nagum’s responsibilities include delivering comfort and support to patients and their families. PHOTO COURTESY NAVIAN HAWAI‘I
Photo Courtesy Geisele “Gigi” Friedfel