Families Talk about Home Hospice
By Sherry Little, Home Hospice of Grayson, Texoma LIVING WELL Magazine
We are honored family members of our patients tell our story with such gratitude. Their actual experiences demonstrate the difference Home Hospice makes in the lives of patients and those who love them. The statement we hear most often is, “We wish we had put Dad on service with you earlier.” While some of the focus of hospice is dying well, the primary focus is living each and every day.
“We had fun and laughed each day…just two weeks before her life ended we were around her bed singing songs and laughing at ourselves…she ate ice cream whenever she wanted…she wasn’t dying, she was living each moment, squeezing each precious drop of life from each second. I knew what I wanted – I didn’t want her to struggle or to be afraid. I wanted a gentle and peaceful passing for her. I didn’t want us to be afraid. As she took her last breath, a holy moment took place reflecting the beauty in a life well lived and a peaceful passing. Could we have done it without Home Hospice? Probably, but without the confidence and comfort they brought, and without the support and guidance that enabled us to really see the important things – the translucent glow on Kathy’s face, the love shining from her eyes and the joy in the simple things we were able to do with her and with each other, for her and for one another. It was an exceptional experience.” – A niece.
“At first, I was skeptical of Home Hospice, about someone coming into our home and taking care of my father. I thought they wouldn’t care, they would just give him his pills, say a few short, carefully chosen sugarcoated words, and take their leave. Oh, how I was wrong. I knew I was wrong when our social worker first came into our house and explained the famous bus analogy – that we were the drivers, and they would help support us anyway they could, as well as relieve any burdens they could. They definitely proved themselves right, as the volunteers and nurses showed compassion and attachment to not just my father, but the entire family. They were a team of people who were there every step of the way.” – A daughter.
Call us at 903-868-9315 or 940-665-9891, or visit us at www.homehospice.org…we’ll be right there.
