When Ava turned 7 years old, she decided she didn't want any presents for her birthday, but instead asked people to donate to the hospice that cared for Michelle, her favorite aunt who had just died at age 40 of cervical cancer.
"Michelle had a great experience with hospice," said Alison (Ava's mom). "She was in pain and felt like each appointment made her feel worse instead of better. When the nurse suggested hospice, she was reluctant at first. None of us knew what it meant for her care. After we went through the experience as a family, we understood. I visited with her a few days after her enrollment in hospice and she was a totally different person. They took care of the pain and helped her take control of her symptoms". She was even able to work in her kitchen again, her favorite pastime.
Michelle was on a mission to use each day leave things a certain way, and she needed time in hospice to finish that up. She needed to be awake and pain free and able to enjoy her life."
My sister-in-law was on a mission to leave things a certain way, and she needed time in hospice to finish that up. She needed to be awake and pain free. She finished her journal for her young son. three sons. She bought birthday and graduation gifts for the future. . These were things she wanted to accomplish."
In her 3 months of at home hospice Michelle was able to visit with family and friends and enjoyed several dinner parties.
"There were always eight or ten of us there every night," remembered Alison. "We even orchestrated a full family dinner from her room.
"I've had the hospice experience several times since then with other relatives," said Alison. "All the experiences are different, but they've all been so positive."
