Huckleberries Online

Kendra: Hospice Made Things Easier

Posted by DFO

May 19, 2009 3:02 p.m. • 12 comments

Thanks to a wonderful Hospice administrator, he pulled some strings and in one whirlwind of an afternoon, got her de-IV’ed, signed out of what she considered a neverending nightmare (no offense, KMC- of the many hours I spent there by her side, I considered everyone to be at the very least competent, and most very compassionate as well) and sent home. Equipment magically appeared in her living room- a special hospital bed to ease her pressure ulcers, nurses available 24-7 by merely picking up the phone, and just the right amount of comfort measures for her to still recognize us but not be in pain/Kendramama, Soul Doubt. More here.

Question: Has any of your loved ones ever used Hospice at the end of their lives? What was that experience like?

12 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

JeanieSpokane on May 19 at 3:27 p.m.
Another tear jerker. I am so sorry for the loss of your grandma, Kendra. You did good. You did absolutely the best for her and now she is released. Free to fly.

Yes - we used Hospice for my Dad and it was a “wonderful” experience, as such things go. They treated Dad like a sweet angel, petting him, cooing at him, making him feel safe and loved. Now I have to go find another box of tissue.
Cis on May 19 at 3:34 p.m.
Sorry Kendra for your lost….

My cousin just lost his wife of 57 to cancer, last week and Hospice was wonderful for him…. 3 years ago he lost his father, who Hospice also was there for the family. As they are there for the family as well as the person with the illness.
Bent on May 19 at 3:45 p.m.
Kendra, our experience with Hospice of North Idaho was the same. Excellent. In fact, they performed far beyond our expectations, and their services don’t end with the passing of your loved one. Hospice continues to stay in contact with family members and offers free counseling and periodic memorial services. Our family now donates regularly to Hospice in hopes that the service will be there again when it is needed.
Pounder on May 19 at 3:45 p.m.
Hospice came in during the last few days of my mom’s battle with cancer a few years ago. They were angels - there with a comforting prayer and answering both her questions and ours, along with being a sympathetic ear. They never have all the answers, but generally have been through the experience of losing a close loved one, and will do everything possible to help you through it.

#
Sisyphus on May 19 at 3:46 p.m.
“Has any of your loved ones ever used Hospice at the end of their lives?”—yes. “What was that experience like?”—they died.

Actually I’m a huge proponent of Hospice. But its not the same as being able to consult with doctors on palliative care in hastening the inevitable to avoid suffering. Its ridiculous that the medical profession marks death as a topic beyond their ability to discuss.

Now I’m looking for tissue as well.
hhuseland on May 19 at 5:07 p.m.
I believe that your story brought more tissues out than anything in memory. Kendra, for some reason, I couldn’t log on to your blog to comment there, but I doubt any professional writer could have expressed their feelings any better.
Stickman on May 19 at 8:24 p.m.
My sister has been a Hospice nurse for most of her life. Not anymore though, as she is trying to enjoy the rest of her life. And loving it. Enjoy each and every day as much as you can.
keithincda on May 19 at 9:04 p.m.
My wife’s Father had the help of Hospice a few years ago. Long before that and ever since we always support them. The Hospice folks are truly the human incarnation of angels amongst us….
jazzyvandal on May 19 at 9:39 p.m.
I recently lost my grandmother too. She had cancer and hospice was a godsend.
Liz on May 19 at 10:13 p.m.
I am so sorry for your loss Kendra.
mia on May 19 at 11:38 p.m.
Hospice is a wonderful organization! They were truly a Godsend in the last year, and especially those last months of my dad’s life. His desire was to be able to stay at home, my mother was his main care giver, but after a three year congestive heart failure journey, having Hospice there to help was truly invaluable! Interestingly, later the same year my dad passed, my husband and I were in France to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, and we visited Beaune, where we visited the Hospice museum, where Hospice originated.
Kendramama on May 20 at 9:19 a.m.
Thank you all. I wrote the obit yesterday, which will only be in the Press, but anyone interested please check the papers today or throughout this week for more details of my wonderful Grandma’s life.

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D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.