Courtesy Home Hospice of Grayson County
My name is Christye Hamilton and my son, Andrew Shoemake, is a patient of Home Hospice of Grayson County. And, this is my story.
As Andy’s illness became more advanced, I was encouraged to search for a hospice. I strongly resisted as I thought hospice was for those at the end of their lives, but my friend told me again to call Home Hospice of Grayson County.
They came to our home and I was impressed with the nursing care they provide, their explanations of what to expect and how to deal with the future. As they answered my questions, it eased my fears because I didn’t know what Andy was going through and now I could understand.
Andy has had trouble accepting nurses and I was skeptical of how he would react. From the first visit the Home Hospice nurses talked to Andy, they were gentle, loving and caring with him. Soon he clicked with them, and now he gives them hugs on each visit. The nurses and attendants help take care of Andy’s needs and are available 24 hours a day––several times at 2 a.m. I needed a nurse; I made a call and a nurse was there to care for him. I can’t tell you how much comfort that gives me.
As a caregiver, taking care of your son is difficult, but the Home Hospice team has a lot of compassion, not just for Andy, but for me too. Everyone is so caring because they know you are dealing with both the physical and emotional sides of caregiving. I can’t tell my other children about the emotional stress I go through daily as a mother. But I can tell Andy’s nurses and they know what a mom feels. They give me light on what to look for daily.
No one wants to deal with a child facing the end of life–––I don’t. I’m facing it with my little boy, and it’s hard to accept as a mother. But hospice is not just for the elderly. Young children and babies need services too. And Home Hospice will be there for you.
