Free Lance-Star, Feb. 14, 2019
Love keeps Caroline couple together, even in senior rehab facility
Love has kept Fred and Crystal Pannell together for 60 years—and in recent weeks, so have the actions of some key medical people.
The Pannells were born on the same day, one year apart, and she’s quick to point out that he’s the senior member of the couple. He’s 83, she’s 82.
Both were teachers in Chicago, dealing with different ends of the spectrum. He taught science to gifted students, and she was a vice principal in one of the toughest neighborhoods on the South Side. Her middle school bordered two gang territories.
“They were rough kids,” she said.
The Pannells had visited Laura Carey, a friend in Caroline County, over the years and liked the peaceful Virginia scenery so much, they had a house built in Portobago Bay about 15 years ago.
In recent years, both have dealt with irregular heartbeats and loss of short-term memory. When they’ve had to be apart, as they were a few years ago when she was hospitalized, he gets so stressed to the point one of his caregivers, Tammy Barrier, believes he makes himself sick.
She’s certain that’s what happened last month after Crystal Pannell was at Mary Washington Hospital, having a pacemaker put in her chest to control the abnormal heart rhythms. Fred Pannell insisted Barrier take him to Fredericksburg daily to see her, even when temperatures dropped to the single digits.
Between the cold weather and the worry, he wound up in a hospital bed, too, but in a different facility. He was at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center.
Meseret Ayalew–Cole was the hospital social worker assigned to his case, and as she talked with him, she heard more about his better half than his own medical condition.
“He talked about how much they loved each other,” Ayalew–Cole said.
When Crystal Pannell was discharged, she was sent to Bowling Green Health & Rehabilitation Center. Fred Pannell needed to spend time in a rehab facility, too, and his doctor considered sending him to another center.
The Spotsylvania hospital social worker reached out to the couple’s children: Tanya Pannell in Seattle and Brian Pannell in Chicago. Along with Barrier, they stressed the need for their parents to be together.
“Their years together have created a bond that will remain until the end,” the daughter said.
So, Ayalew–Cole contacted Ashley LaPorte, admissions director at the Bowling Green facility. Officials there moved a few people around so the Pannells would not only be under the same roof, but in the same room, said Jenna Cracknell, administrator.
The day before Valentine’s Day, those who had orchestrated the arrangement gathered at the Bowling Green facility to meet in person.
Members of the group shared hugs and thank-yous and hovered over the Pannells. Ayalew–Cole introduced herself to Crystal Pannell, the woman she’d heard so much about.
“He talked about you all the time,” the social worker said.
“He’s a sweetie pie,” Crystal Pannell said.
Ayalew–Cole also told Fred Pannell how much perkier he looked with his wife than without her.
“I feel much better,” he said, smiling. “It’s just natural [that] we’re together.”
His wife said she’s more comfortable with him at her side, causing a chorus of
“awwws” to go up around the room.
Plus, she said, “I worry about him because he’ll get into trouble.”
Their daughter said the same. Had the two been placed in separate facilities, “we thought my Dad may try to find a way to get out and find Mom,” she said.
The Pannells expect to be at the rehab center about three weeks and probably will be discharged together, Cracknell said. Most people wouldn’t like being away from home, but Crystal Pannell said she’s been treated regally.
“I think your love for each other inspired everybody,” Ayalew–Cole said.