Rochester Post Bulletin
11/24/2003

He's living life to the end

CUTLINE Julie Oestreich, right, a patient-care coordinator for Seasons Hospice, charts information about Click Riemersma's medical condition at his Lake Zumbro home. Riemersma receives in-home hospice care. Click's wife, Bea, is in the background. (Jerry OlsonPost-Bulletin)

By Jeff Hansel
jhansel@postbulletin.com

Sequins glitter on Click Riemersma's jacket in a photograph that is a favorite conversation piece.

Riemersma once played Liberace's piano while it was on display at Hamilton Music, where he worked as a piano tuner for many years. Playing Liberace's piano required proper, albeit showy, attire.

Riemersma has accepted the fact that he is dying, but he hasn't given up living. Hospice is helping him stay in his Zumbro Lake home, where he is most happy, nestled just feet from the water.

Patient choice is important with hospice, a service for patients and families dealing with the process of dying. Visits from Patient Care Coordinator Julie Oestreich help Riemersma stay near the fish, birds and water of the lake he loves.

"This is my choice. I hope to finish my days out here," he said. "We've lived out here 18 years, and I would hate to have to move to town again. We've got a $10 million view and nice neighbors."

Oestreich brings him medicine from Rochester. Personal service gives hospice workers time to get to know individuals in settings they're comfortable in.

"It's nice to visit, but I sometimes feel guilty because I make them (patients) short of breath," Oestreich says.

Riemersma smoked for 40 years. He's had part of a lung removed and now has "a little bit of everything," from bronchitis and cancer to emphysema. He managed Heritage Manor Apartments and played piano at Ponderosa Supper Club. Lately, as a piano tuner, he's been helping notes behave in Rochester, Zumbrota and Pine Island.

"He can't read notes at all. He does everything by ear," his wife, Bea, said with pride.

Hospice has eased her worries, as well as his. Riemersma, his wife and daughters have reached a level of comfort about his diagnosis.

"We have talked about it, just him and I alone -- and when the girls are around -- about his death," Bea said.

To qualify for hospice care, patients -- young or old -- must have less than six months to live.

"I have my anxious moments," Click said. "You don't know when it's going to happen. You know it's going to happen. But you don't know when to expect it."

He continues to enjoy what he can, even though simple tasks cause fatigue. He has accepted the end of life, although he admits he'd rather stay around.

"Everybody thinks they're going to live forever. I've had a good life. I'm going to be 72 in February, if I make it. I can't complain, I guess. A lot of people don't make it that far," he said.