by admin | Jul 6, 2015 | Advance Directives, Caregiving, End-of-life care
Three months before Ellen Goodman’s father died, they didn’t talk about his recently-returned cancer. Instead, Ellen’s mother bought him a suitcase for his birthday. “I don’t know if that suitcase qualifies my family for the Denial Hall of...
by admin | May 27, 2015 | Bereavement, Caregiving, End-of-life care, Hospice, Uncategorized, Veterans, Volunteering
It may surprise many people to learn that 25 percent of those who die every year in the U.S. are veterans. The nation is seeing many of the veterans who served in World War II and Korea pass away, and the number of deaths of Vietnam veterans is beginning to rise. To...
by admin | Apr 29, 2014 | Being Present, Caregiving, Hospice, Volunteering
As soon as I saw the expression on the faces of the staff at Doug’s House, I knew something was wrong. Our patient, Mr. Smith,* they told me, was not feeling well and would be going to the hospital. He would have to miss the concert that had been arranged especially...
by admin | Dec 2, 2013 | Being Present, Bereavement, Caregiving, Hospice
“On a scale from 1 – 10, rate your general sense of well-being.” Dr. Bob Friedman, the chief medical officer for CTPCA – Central Texas Palliative Care Associates – looked at my brother-in-law expectantly. “Pretty good. I would say it’s an 8,” Stuart responded. He’d...
by admin | Nov 20, 2012 | Caregiving, Hospice
There is a beautiful milkweed bush in the garden outside of room 4 at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House. It’s in full bloom right now, full of red and yellow flowers. Recently, Joyce,* the loved one of Hospice Austin patient Bob* in Room 4, was sitting on the patio...
by admin | Aug 15, 2012 | Caregiving, Hospice
The living journey with Hospice Austin…I visited my mom Debbie today, who is in her fourth month of hospice care; she is 77 years old. I picked up lunch for both of us to have a mini picnic outside her nursing facility before it gets too hot. I arrived a bit early and...
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