Translate
Hospice Austin’s Blog
Memorial Service for Emely and Adriana
As many of you know, Jacob Rodriguez Lopez’s wife, Adriana, died on our service in August and his 4-year-old daughter, Emely, was diagnosed with leukemia in December and then contracted the RSV virus and died in early January. Jacob and Emely were both featured in the Austin American-Statesman’s Season for Caring campaign, and many of our Hospice Austin supporters donated money, gifts, cards, and well-wishes. There will be a memorial service this Saturday, Feb. 4th to celebrate the lives of both Emely and Adriana. Jacob would like it to be open to everyone in the community who has been so supportive of him. It will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4th at 2:00 pm at Palm Valley Lutheran Church, 2500 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock 78665.
Season for Caring
Jacob knows more about heartache than any 26-year-old should. His wife, Adriana, died of cervical cancer in August, leaving him to raise Emely, their four-year-old daughter who has Down Syndrome. Last week, Emely was diagnosed with leukemia.
Finding a Way Through
How do you get over losing a child? You don’t, according to grief therapist Jan Phillips. “You can get through it, but getting over it is impossible,” she said.
Jan speaks from experience. Her 17-year-old son, Ian, was killed in an accident overseas while on a summer trip with People to People International. At first she was angry with the organization and its chaperones, then with God. “Why him, this child who had so much promise?” she wondered. “And why me?”
Using All the Colors in the Crayon Box
This year will mark our 19th year of Camp Brave Heart, Hospice Austin’s four-day summer camp for children grieving the loss of someone they love. Over the years we have helped more than 2000 children in our community understand that grief and loss are a common human experience; that they have companions who will walk with them through that rugged landscape; and that they can survive such losses and perhaps even grow in unexpected and beautiful ways. A few years ago a boy named Sam came to camp who I will never forget.
Doug and Sue’s Travel Adventures
When Doug was admitted to Hospice Austin a year ago, he was not expected to live long. His condition, while still serious, has improved so much that Hospice Austin happily discharged him recently. A few days ago, Doug embarked on a cross-country road trip with his wife, Sue, and his friend, Jim, in Jim’s RV. Along for the ride is also Jim’s dog, Chester who, by all accounts, is quite a character.
Reel Change for Real Change
Hospice Austin was recently chosen to participate in the Reel Change Film Frenzy, a project sponsored by the nonprofit Lights, Camera, Help whose mission is to help area nonprofits by making mission-driven films that tell their story. Hospice Austin was selected by filmmaker Don Nguyen of ILC Films. Don highlighted the work of nurse practitioner Brian King, who has worked at Hospice Austin for 16 years. To watch the video, please click on the link.
Making life better for us all
Hospice Austin’s Christopher House volunteer Gretchen Baker has turned heartache into a passion for helping others near the end of life. Not only does she volunteer at Christopher House twice a week, she’s provided a Thanksgiving Day meal for patients and staff for the past 10 years, organizes an annual Valentine stuffed animal drive, donates prayer shawls from her friends, and does countless other services that let our patients and families know she understands what they’re going through. Here is her story, in her words.
Finding My Way Back
Today is the day that Keaton died in 2001, just before his 4th birthday. November 23rd: it’s a different experience each year. Sometimes it falls on Thanksgiving, as it was that night. The emotional experience varies each year as well. That it has become easier over...
The StoryCorps Legacy
StoryCorps approached Hospice Austin last fall to see if we would participate in their Legacy Project, which records stories of people whose lives have been affected by serious illness. Our youngest storyteller was 10 years old; our oldest was 101. We recorded a story about the founding of Hospice Austin; we recorded the story of a patient who lives under a bridge. We recorded many, many stories of staff and volunteers whose lives have been touched deeply by Hospice Austin.
The Legacy of Carol Kiehl
Nurse Carol Kiehl left an indelible stamp on Hospice Austin. She was a force of nature, a whirlwind of energy and caring. She worked for Hospice Austin for over 10 years, caring for countless patients and mentoring countless staff. We lost her to cancer early this...
