Stories of Life
Anthony’s Christmas with Santa
Anthony is a young man under our care. His home-hospice team worked to manage pain and symptoms and to support him and his family. As they got to know him, they were reminded that, even in the midst of crisis, children want to feel “normal.”
Read MoreTo Preserve & Share a Song
All her life, Lois Harrison used the gift of her voice to express and share her faith. Singing was very important to her. But, now in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease, Lois could no longer speak.
Read MoreJoy Makes Home Visit
Our stories about meaningful experiences are written as they unfold. Therefore, most stories are in the present tense. Some of the patients in these stories are no longer with us. They, and their families, gave us permission to share their experience with you. For those who have since passed, we share these in their memories…
Read MoreTo Celebrate 100 Years of Life
To reach 100 years is a major achievement, a milestone to honor. For the family of Rowland Moore, the milestone was bittersweet.
Read MoreTo Have Mom at My Wedding
We met Nancy through her mother who was in our care at the Compassionate Care Center. During a conversation with Nancy, one of our nurses, Teresa Dickson, learned that she felt sad that her mother wouldn’t be with her for her wedding in June.
Read MoreTo See a Movie in the Theater
Elizabeth, 27 years old, felt a strong connection with Joey Feek and very much wanted to see the movie, “To Joey, with Love.” But our medical team was concerned that Elizabeth might not be with us by October 6, when the movie was to be shown for the last time.
Read MoreTo Be Thanked for His Service
Honoring those who have served our country is one of our greatest joys. Not everyone understands how important it can be for a veteran to be formally recognized for their service, especially as the end of life nears.
Read MoreTo Have Coffee with an Old Friend
When we ask our patients what’s most important to them or what’s on their minds, what we are trying to do is learn. We can’t meet a need that we haven’t learned about. Many needs are relatively obvious and easy to meet: a walker for support, a new medication to treat a new symptom, for instance. Other needs take time to reveal themselves, but they are no less important.
Read MoreTo Make a Meaningful Mark
We all have bucket-list wishes. Sometimes the thing you want to do seems simple, like getting a tattoo, but is really about much more–claiming and honoring someone you love, for instance.
Read MoreTo Marry the Love of My Life
This summer, in the middle of a pandemic and while my soon-to-be husband was receiving hospice care, I married the love of my life.
Read More