Article Written To Press Enterprise From Michael VanDine
Published September 17, 2009
I write regarding the pictorial on the front page of the Press Enterprise Sept. 14, titled, “Wings and Wonder.” Yet another incredible display of a Press Enterprise photographer catching just the right moment. Well done, Keith Haupt.
The pictorial was about Wings of Hope, sponsored by Columbia Montour Home Hospice at Maria Hall in Danville Sept. 13. This program was in honor of hospice patients who passed away recently; it also was a celebration of life.
Olivia is the beautiful 6-year-old girl in the photo with the Monarch butterfly on her finger. Olivia’s grandfather, my father, passed away 30 days ago. What started as a pain in his side throughout the spring and summer progressed to additional symptoms that eventually caused him to be admitted to The Bloomsburg Hospital in late July. After spots were detected on his colon and liver, and a tumor found in his colon, surgery was performed to remove the cancerous tumor and a section of bowel. After a week with no improvement, an additional CT Scan indicated nothing that could be fixed. The cancer had already progressed beyond repair.
Over the years my father had told me his wishes when this moment arrived. A proud, powerful man with a passionate love for God, my father decided, with his family, to go home without further treatment.
As someone who deals with death frequently in my job, I was in no way prepared for what I anticipated would lie ahead. Speaking with Dr. Patrick Erwin, the attending surgeon, and other incredible staff members at The Bloomsburg Hospital, they recommended Columbia Montour Home Hospice.
Although I had heard of CMHH over the years, I was about to experience first hand the true angels they are. They immediately embraced us like family, making all the necessary arrangements to get my father home. A hospital bed arrived along with all of the resources to make dad comfortable, including medications. Although our family had been at my father’s side around the clock since the moment he stepped foot in the hospital, we were now at his home without the medical professionals that made everything better when there was a problem.
The hospice staff, including Director Susan Smith, educated us on proper techniques of caring for him and administering medicine to keep him comfortable. The staff was available 24 hours a day, returning phone calls within 15 minutes, and made as many visits to the house as we requested or needed. They bathed him and, on one occasion, made a late-night visit after an urgent call from me when my father was obviously uncomfortable and I couldn’t make it better.
My father went to be with his Lord five days after coming home with my mother, my wife and myself at his side. Fortunately for me, it happened while I was there, and about an hour after my daughters had come to visit. Although we didn’t allow Olivia to see her Pop-pop that night due to his condition, I am certain he heard her voice and laughter in the other room. My wife and I believe it may have been what he was holding on for. After my dad died, my brother and sister-in-law and my sister all arrived at about the same time as the hospice nurse. She comforted us and took care of everything. My father and my family could not have asked for a better experience during a traumatic time in our lives.
I cannot say enough about the quality of care that Columbia Montour Home Hospice provided to my father and our family. We will be forever indebted. As my mother said, CMHH allowed us to be more comfortable physically and emotionally, and I know he was much happier in his own home.
Hospice care is a model for quality, compassionate care for people facing life-limiting illness or injury. It involves a team-oriented approach to medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support, tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. Support is provided to the patient’s loved ones as well. At the center of hospice care is the belief that all people have the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that their families will receive the support to assist them. Hospice focuses on caring, not curing. In most cases, care is provided in the patient’s home. Hospice care also is provided in free-standing centers, hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Of all patients eligible for hospice care, only about 30 percent take advantage of the services Hospice care is covered by patient’s insurance, Medicare or private. Hospice is not only for the last few days of life. It can be utilized once a patient is diagnosed with a non-curable illness. Bereavement assistance is also available for family for 13 months after time of death.
Those with questions about CMHH may contact Susan Smith at 784-1723. She also authors “Dear Susan” in the Press Enterprise, which answers questions relating to hospice.
Since Olivia’s picture was in the paper, many people have asked me what Wings of Hope and Columbia Montour Home Hospice are all about. Some had horror stories about their experiences with other hospice services. I tell them we had an incredible experience with CMHH. My father was an incredible, loving and caring man who deserved to die with dignity and comfort, his family by his side. This was accomplished, and we will be forever grateful. Please take advantage of this wonderful and professional resource in your family’s time of need.
If you did not know my father, just look at Olivia’s picture again, and you will see his smile in her face and his sparkle in her eyes.
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The Columbia Montour Home Hospice Bereavement Program is a resource provided free of charge to our regional communities. The dates for Camp Courage, a weekend camp, are October 8 – October 10, 2010, May 20 – 22, 2011, and October 7 – 9, 2011; Little Brave Hearts, a day camp is October 23, 2010, and October 22, 2011.”
The Program is based on the beliefs that:
- Grief is a natural response to loss.
- Each loss is unique and individual
- Children and adults grieve differently
- Children express themselves through their play.
- A safe, supportive and healing environment can sustain children, adolescents and adults as they work through their grief.
The Columbia Montour Home Hospice Bereavement Program is built on a foundation of Core Values that include:
- Respect: We value the uniqueness of each individual and his/her right to be treated with dignity and respect.
- Commitment and Compassionate Caring: We value commitment and compassionate caring as key elements in supporting children, adolescents and adults in their journey toward healing.
- Honesty and Integrity (Ethical Standards): We value our obligation to those we serve to deliver our programs and resources in an honest and ethical manner.
- Community Service: We value our responsibility to provide access and outreach to all in need of our services within our regional communities.
- Professionalism and Excellence in Program Delivery: We value professionalism in the delivery of services and seek to not only meet but also exceed the expectations of those we serve through our Bereavement Program.
OUR MISSION
To facilitate the grieving process for children, adolescents and adults in a safe, caring and supportive environment to help them toward healing and a healthy resolution of their grief.
OUR VISION
We aspire to be a grief resource for our community by creating and delivering a comprehensive set of grief programs and services for children, adolescents and adults; and providing outreach to our regional communities through the delivery of educational programming and resources. |
