Last December my amazing mother, Gloria S. Bullock, died of metastatic breast cancer. She had been successfully living with cancer for over 25 years until the medication stopped working. She gladly accepted home Hospice care with Central New Hampshire VNA and Hospice, and she, my dad, my husband and I became an army of four.
The nurses assigned to my mother, both named Linda, were absolute angels to her and to us. Not only were we blessed to have mom at home in the beautiful bedroom she and Dad shared, but we had the support, help and kindness from our “Lindas.” When it was too hard for Mom to get out of bed, we asked for a hospital bed, and it was there immediately. Anything we needed, we were given with speed and kindness. Hospice meant help and comfort both for Mom and for us as well. As we became caretakers, we had the support and help we needed, and arms around us when we felt we couldn’t keep going. Hospice meant that my mom could be at home with family and friends. It meant that we as caretakers had the help and support we needed when we needed it. Mom was treated like the queen she was and to her last breath she knew she was loved and cared for.
We can’t thank Hospice enough. It is clear that everyone at Hospice truly cares for the patient and the family; it is a blessing for everyone involved. One of Mom’s final requests was for donations to be made to Hospice in lieu of flowers. I strongly suggest that anyone who wishes to donate to a great cause should consider making a donation to Hospice. This organization makes losing a loved one easier to bear knowing that they are receiving such loving and kind care. At this time of year, the Hospice program will offer a very important Tree of Memories celebration on Dec. 10. Besides raising funds, it is an opportunity to honor family, friends and Hospice members.
Dad and I miss Mom every day, but I am comforted in knowing that she received the best care possible. Hospice is a blessing and comfort both to the patient and family, and is the “soft place to fall” when we feel we can no longer stand on our own.
Jane (Bullock) Fraser and Ned Bullock
Laconia