Testimonials

Dear, Dear Ellen,

My two week-holiday [to England] was a howling success.   I don't understand the psychology of happiness, but there wasn't a minute of being unhappy, although I shed gallons of tears both of joy and sadness.  Sadness that I would probably never see these dear people or beloved places and things that were bringing me such joy.  I walked more than I had probably walked in five years or more without pain or respiratory problems.   If I hadn't seen the xrays I wouldn't believe that I had cancer of any kind. 

The mystery of my emotions and that part of my brain that creates such  joyousness is more tangible than the mysteries of my spiritual beliefs. I do believe, however, that the Holy Spirit was holding my hand as I  met new people and old friends including my first friend in Norwich, England, from the 1970s who is now 105.  I attended a service at the  parish church in Norwich where I was a regular all those years ago, and then was able to join a group early one morning for prayers and communion, and a jolly coffee hour with homemade bread and jams.   The Norwich Cathedral built by the Normans in the late 11th Century has some features of the Notre Dame, and now a very modern cafe overlooking the Cloisters where I had tea and toasted teacakes.  In the Piccadilly Church of England I was fortunate enough to hear a concert by three talented young people, and my heart was full, thanking God for all these privileges.

All of this came about firstly because of finding some enlargement of the lung tumors and the little nodule that may or may not be a carcinoma.  Going off so many drugs that were making me ill and logy, and feeling so much stronger was a second reason.   The third and probably strongest was meeting you and Dr. Barkley, and your giving me the courage that even at 78 I could again be independent enough to make the plans to go to and do the things that have been some of the happiest times in my life.
 
I cannot thank you enough for inspiring me to be the person again that I thought was gone forever.   How I wish that all of your patients could have the same experience.

From my heart,
Marge C.

~ Marge C.

It was late October 2005 when my father-in-law got the terminal diagnosis.  He already had emphysema and we thought his pain and hospitalization was associated with that, but after several days of testing we got the bad news about advanced metastatic cancer.   We obtained a second oncology opinion to confirm the prognosis of 3 to 4 weeks and to help him determine whether he would pursue curative measures.  After confirming what he had been told, he decided he would not seek chemo or radiation and HPCCR brought him under care right away.  Amy Sloop and Faheemah Jones made up his wonderful clinical team.  He not only lived beyond the 3 to 4 weeks, but he lived until Thursday, 8:22 pm on March 2, 2006.  The quality of his life during that time could not have been better.  He was up and dressed every day and his pain was under good control.  He helped with the housework and was in fact running the vacuum two days before he died. Tuesday evening brought a major turn and he took to his bed where two days later he died very peacefully surrounded by his whole family.

I tell this because it would have been a much different story if it had not been for his hospice care.  I believe with all my heart he would have died much sooner and I believe he would have suffered.  As it was, his family had him for another Thanksgiving, another Christmas, and he almost made it to his 57th wedding anniversary on March 17.   I am thinking of other patients and families who want to have a similar story.  Hospice care makes a difference and yes, some patients get better for a time because of it, but their disease is still present and moving forward; as the HPCCR mission says…the goal is to relieve suffering and improve the quality and dignity of life through compassionate hospice care for those at the end of life.  My father-in-law got his full measure of that mission and I am thankful.

~ Teri B.

My best friend Nancy was under your care for her last days while residing at The Laurels. Nancy's family spoke so highly of your compassion and attention to everyone. Keep up your good work-it means so much to families and friends who are losing a loved one.

~ Joan

Dear Michelle [HPCCR volunteer],

Caring for mother and dad would have been so much more difficult without you. You were so faithful during this time. It was such a comfort to me knowing the day you were coming I could miss that day if I needed to, because you would be there, and if you noticed the least thing you would call me. There were many days I needed that respite.

It meant so much to me to have you to talk to because I know you loved Mother and Dad too, and I knew you understood how hard it was to watch them decline. I will never forget the day when I walked outside Dad’s hospital room and there you were. You put your arms around me and cried with me. Somehow we both knew it was the beginning of the end of his life.

Many times you thought of simple changes we could make that would make their living situation easier, things I would never have thought of.

With dementia, their friends stopped coming and it became so lonely. No one else understood what it was like except you, so I treasured being able to talk to you about many things. You were my solace. You remained faithful to me and to them until you saw them safely “home”. May God pour out His richest blessing on you and your family.

~ Barbara and Bill W.

I'm writing to thank all the staff at Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region for all the help and support you provided for me and my father, Anthony. I do not think I could have survived this without the help of your organization. Our nurse, Camille, was a saint. She stayed in constant touch with me and was at Pop's bedside daily. She anticipated his every medical need. She made sure he had the correct combination of medications to prevent any suffering. She explained everything to me and she really tried to help me grasp the concepts of end of life care.

During Pop's second week, he took a drastic turn toward end of life care. Sitting at Pop's bedside, another saint walked in. This time it was Jeanne. We talked about Pop's condition, how we was reared devoutly Catholic and how he converted to Presbyterian when he married my mom. Jeanne, so insightful, told me she thought Pop was waiting for Catholic "Last Rites" and asked me if she could call her priest to come and see Pop. Father Anthony was at Pop's bedside in record time, within 45 minutes of Jeanne's call!! I was amazed. Pop received the sacrament for the sick and he seemed to respond when Father Anthony and I prayed together at his bedside. It was such a comfort to Pop and me. It was something I never would have thought of had it not been for Jeanne.

This has been my first, personal experience with Hospice. I have told everyone on the planet how wonderful you are. I truly could not have endured Pop's last days had it not been for all of you. I can take comfort in the fact that although he did not survive this ordeal, he did not suffer!! Thank you all for your good help, all your compassion and expertise.

~ Laura

This letter is to express to you our appreciation for the support received by your Hospice staff. My mom, Marion, died at The Cove at Wilora Lake and your caring, supportive employees were there when we needed them.

Mom's sickness seemed to worsen so quickly and it was so difficult to understand all that was happening physically to her. By having Hospice there to explain things, to pray with us, and to make sure Mom was comfortable was such a blessing and comfort to our family.

~ Tom & Wanda C.

Thank you for your care and concern for Polly. Getting her hospice care was the best we could do for her. I just wish we had done it sooner. She was still taking radiation three weeks before she died so we weren't quite prepared. I will always be grateful and would have no hesitation recommending Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region. Breast cancer is a terrible disease. Hopefully, one day they will find a cure.

~ Robert S.

Dear Beth,

Words can't begin to express how much you meant to Lawrence, me, and our family during your three weeks as our hospice angel. Your assignment was pre-arranged by our gracious God who was with me and Lawrence during this difficult time.

It was so hard contacting Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region. Somehow we were admitting that the end might be near and we were not quitters. I don't know how many hospice nurses work the Lake Norman area, but I do know that you were chosen for our journey. Thank you for yielding to God's calling and for helping those of us at a time when circumstances leave us breathless and so vulnerable. You knew how to handle every difficult moment along the way.

Thanks for EVERYTHING!

~ Kristi H.

I thank you for the wonderful, loving care you gave to my husband, Kenneth. You were comforting to him as well as to me. You have a great organization and wonderful people.

~ Debra K.

The people who work for Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region are truly the most unique and and caring individuals I've ever met.  Over the last two years, I've had the opportunity to get to know some of the finest people in the world as a result of the help you provided for my folks.  My parents were both beneficiaries of some of the most caring people--both professionally skilled and volunteers--that anyone could ever hope to know. 

~ Marianne M.

To those at Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region,

Just adding a word of appreciation for all you are and all you do.  What an incredible gift to those in need in our community.

Thank you--one and all!

~ Virginia C.

The loving and gentle care Karen received at the Levine & Dickson Hospice House was such a gift to her and her family.  It was a privilege for us to meet her wonderful nurses, doctors and caregivers when we were with her and her family during the end of her life. 

~ Gene & Kim L.