Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

Photo by Colleen Peterson

Hope filled recovery

By Laura Dudley

Dr. Bill Jones’ living room in his Norfolk home is filled with shelves of books, piles of DVDs, a 1950s vintage television that doesn’t work, a modern one on top that does and a poster from the film “O Brother Where Art Thou.” Beyond the window, a woodpecker often pecks at a suet feeder, and the fresh scent of hand-picked daffodils heightens a sense of coziness. The room has the warm feeling of home.

“There’s a lot of living that goes on here,” said Connie Jones, Bill’s wife of 35 years. Bill, a prominent and popular VWC professor, lies in a hospital bed in the middle of the room. Medical supplies surround him. Still receiving chemotherapy for brain cancer, Bill has recovered from the pneumonia that kept him hospitalized from Labor Day until Nov. 11, 2005. He has been home now for five months.

“Physical therapy and regaining his strength are our main objectives right now,” said Connie.

Bill often goes outside in his wheelchair, thanks to the ramp that their friend John Born built at the front door. Born is the husband of the late Catharine Cookson, a previous director for The Center for the Study of Religious Freedom at VWC.

“It was a really, really wonderful thing for him to do,” said Bill.

Despite the limitations of his health, Bill continues to contribute to the community. Recently, he was asked by owner Tench Phillips of the NARO Expanded Cinema in Norfolk to pre-screen the movie “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada” coming to the theater soon. As a commentator for the NARO, Bill viewed the film with his wife at home. He wrote a review that was then read by the owner at the “First Look” screening of the film.

“It was a kick,” said Bill.

Being out of the classroom has been difficult for him.

“I miss my students a lot,” he said.

Then, with a smile on his face, he admitted that he doesn’t miss his messy desk or the piles of paperwork.

Many visitors come to see Bill. During the holiday season, the choir from Christ and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where his wife serves as a priest, came to sing Christmas carols to him at their home. Numerous friends come in the afternoons.

“They just pop in,” said Bill.

Bill and his wife also receive cards from family, church members and the VWC community. It is often cards from students that mean the most.

“We have a whole box of cards, and I haven’t thrown a single one away,” said Connie. “The college has been very supportive of us. They’ve treated us like family, and they are a family to us.”

Many friends bring new movies over for Bill to watch.

“I watch anything,” he said. “I like to think about them and talk to people about them. I quote movies all the time.”

In addition to movies, Bill enjoys watching cable TV.

“I knew that he was getting better when he started watching The Food Channel,” said Connie. “One of his greatest pleasures is food. He eats often and well.”

One of his favorite desserts is Linda Buckingham’s pecan pie.

The Jones’ gray cat, Sadie, is a great companion. Sadie usually sits on the bed with him and sleeps most of the time. Judith, his professional caregiver, stays with Bill during the day. They watch films together, many times seeing at least two a day.

“She’s an angel,” said Connie.

Connie and Bill are living well, enjoying every day. They are thankful for the things that really matter.

“Obviously, we would not have chosen to have this illness befall him,” said Connie. “But there’s a kind of joyful quality to our life right now. We realize how sweet life is.”

The Joneses truly enjoy the time they have together and with friends.

“Many times people think that visiting a sick or disabled person is depressing,” said Connie. “People leave after visiting Bill happier than when they came.”

With a grin on his face, Bill added, “And they bring lots of good food, too.”