Sometimes in life, when things appear to be going smoothly, in the blink of an eye, everything can change and your world is turned upside down. Security quickly disappears and is replaced with turmoil and anxiety. Reality becomes clouded with doubt and fear and there seems to be no relief in sight.
In 2001, all of this happened to me, when my husband, Bob, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma and my life changed forever. At the time, I was 35 years old, working full time, and raising my 2 teenage children. Suddenly, my predictable day-to-day routine turned into chaos, and I had no idea how to stop my world from unraveling. All I knew was that my husband was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer, and I had to learn how to win the fight for his life. To stand a chance at defeating this disease, I must learn to behave like a lion, fierce and strong, in front of doctors, when inside, I felt like a lamb in need of protection and guidance. I know that people believe that we are only given what we can handle, but at this time of my life, circumstances became overwhelming and unbearable. As the doctors told us that there was little to no hope, I interpreted their words as “if you fight hard enough, you can conquer this disease.” So fight I did, day and night, knowing that my husband’s life was at stake.
Despite my most courageous efforts, surgery and chemotherapy took a toll on my husband’s very frail body. He fought with everything in him, but the treatments were not working. The doctors put him on experimental injections, which caused ferocious side effects. Eventually, we were advised that the only treatment left was radiation. So one stormy morning, we prepared to go to his first radiation appointment. When we left the house, it was pouring rain, and Bob, said he was too weak to make it down the steps to the car. He told me that he had to take a break, and sat down on the wet, concrete steps as the storm churned around us. Unable to discern the correct thing to do, I helped him to sit down and put my umbrella over his head to keep him dry and hide the tears, which were now streaming down my face. Eventually, family came and carried him down the steps and placed him into the car. They told me to go and get showered and dried off, and they would take Bob to his scheduled appointment.
It was not long before I received the most dreaded phone call of my whole life. Bob called me from the hospital to ask if he could come home to die. He said that the radiologist told him that the cancer was travelling up his spine and treatment was no longer a viable option. The only choice left was whether he wanted to die in the hospital or at home. With these words, my whole world collapsed. Now what do I do? How do I win this war when everything was stacked against us? After what seemed like eternity, I assured him that we would get through this together. I told him to come home, but I would never speak about the possibility of defeat.
Bob was admitted to home hospice that day and only survived another 5 days. These 5 days proved to be the most challenging days of my life. Pain became an issue and the hospice nurse showed me how to administer liquid morphine to my husband. While I was overwhelmed with grief and anxiety, I did everything the hospice nurse told me to do. She became the person I clung to for sanity. Nonetheless, family members started telling me that I was killing my husband by giving him morphine. I phoned the hospice nurse, crying hysterically, and inquiring as to whether or not I was killing the love of my life. I will never forget her words to me. She said, “Your husband is dying. You can either allow him to die with dignity or let him suffer his way out of the world, which do you choose.” Of course I chose dignity and followed her instructions exactly. However, eventually she asked me to tell Bob it was okay to leave me. I got angry with her and said, “No. I have never lied to my husband and I will not start lying now.” That evening, I sat thinking about why I would not tell him it was okay to leave me. The only reason I could come up with was that I was being selfish. The next morning, with tears streaming down my face, I told my husband it was okay to leave me. It was not much longer, and Bob passed away peacefully at home in my loving care.
What strikes me the most about my hospice journey is that it was so short. Because Bob was only on hospice for 5 days, many of the questions about his wishes never got answered. For instance, I did not know whether he wanted to be buried or cremated nor did I know what he wanted me to do with his prized possessions. If only I had more time with the hospice team, maybe these conversations could have been facilitated and answers obtained. As it turned out, I had to make these decisions on my own, not knowing if this was truly what he would have wanted. In addition, I would not accept bereavement assistance from hospice because I never got a chance to build a relationship with the hospice team. Approximately 7 months after my husband’s death, I became so emotionally distraught that I could not function. I started to cry and could not stop. When I went to the doctor for help, he advised me that I had never dealt with my grief. Instead, I swept the pain and sorrow under the carpet so that I could stay strong for my children. I never accepted the help and healing that hospice could have provided me.
In the end, I was given beauty for my ashes, because I realized I had brought something to Bob’s bedside, which I hoped to bring to others. What I willingly gave to my husband, love and compassion, I wanted to give to others. So after I grieved, I went back to school and became a nurse.
My passion is for hospice patients and their families. As a nurse, I learned that hospice is not a death sentence, but rather extraordinary care given to the patient and their family members at one of the most emotional times in their lives. This care is provided by a team of valued professionals who not only help the patient with the physical and spiritual changes they are experiencing, but can also assist the family to come to terms with the potential loss of a loved one and how to live again.
Hospice is not something to fear, it is something to embrace. It is compassionate, specialized care provided by a loving team of professionals who often have experienced loss first hand in their own lives. Hospice is a gift the patient and family can give to one another. With the assistance of the hospice team, peace and closure can be obtained by all allowing for elimination of regret and the foundation of memories that will last forever!
Linda Slaven is clinical manager for BAUADA Home Health Care in Jamison, Pennsylvania.
24 Comments.
Linda,
Thanks for sharing your beautiful story. You have been a nurse at heart for many years. Your description of hospice care is so true. I am a RN, with hospice experience and recently was able to share that experience with my cousin when her Father was diagnosed with COPD, This was my Mother’s last living sibling and I had to help her with the transition of losing her last living sibling. My uncle passed away December 2018 with his children, my Mom and his Hospice Nurse. My cousin stated that when she called the Hospice nurse, she came immediately. Before my Uncle passed, the Hospice nurse advised the family to let him know it was okay to leave & take his rest. After his children & my Mother told him it was okay to leave, he passed away shortly afterwards. Again, thank you for your beautiful story.
Former- Bayada Clinical Manager, North Carolina
Thanks so much for your response. Hospice is a true calling where compassion abounds. Thanks for what your doing and I am sorry you are no longer with Bayada! Best wishes!
Grief is under-treated, often misinterpretated, masked. Not everyone unfortunately, has hospice to help guide and support, post loss of a loved one. Healing the heart emotionally is not an easy feat. Without much needed education and support, many suffer years of stress and anxiety, depression and even dysfunction in life’s day to day routines possibly to the extent of substance abuse to self-medicate their broken heart, especially if guilt and regret are prominent feelings. Providers may not know, if there is silence from a grieving individual.
Just a thought…
Hospice is truly a gift.
You are so right. If our stories are told hopefully we may help others. Thanks for your response!
Linda,
I am grateful you joined the BAYADA Hospice Team! Your article is filled with learning, love, and compassion. It’s articles like this that can elevate hospice care for those who have not experienced such a loss first hand. Thank you for being vulnerable and unselfish in sharing your love story.
Very sincerely,
Andrea
Thank you for this excellent article. I have taught psychiatric nursing for over 25 years and have had a deep longing to become a hospice nurse now in my semi-retirement. This article has inspired me in so many ways.
I am so happy I could inspire you. Hospice is an amazing area where you not only impact the patient but everyone around them. Thanks for your response.
Thank you for sharing a very private situation for the sake of helping someone else.
You are beautiful and brilliant my love. God has truly blessed me to have you in my life as my wife. I think this article is going to be used to help others that are hurting and struggling from losing loved ones to look to this article as a light in a dark time in their lives as a mighty resource of strength.
I have worked with Linda many years ago when she worked in the training program at Woods. Your smile becomes bigger and brighter and you continue to educate and guide people during difficult times. God Bless you Linda.
Linda, you are a remarkable woman, the strongest woman I know. I love you and you’re the best nurse ever. This story and your words will hopefully be shared about the value of hospice care. Miss and love you.
Linda you are a hero, I am moved to tears. To turn your grief into such a beautiful gift, thank you for what you do.
I have the pleasure of working with Linda in our BAYADA office. She truly exemplifies love and compassion, not only with our patients but with our staff. I am so glad Linda shared her story so that more people can utilize their Hospice benefit.
What a magnificent outpouring of love, determination, compassion and strength. Linda, thank you for sharing your story and your vulnerability. Thank you most especially for dedicating yourself to hospice.
A tender and compassionate article. Thank you for opening your heart to share this. Hospice care and the nurses I met during my parents’ and mother-in-law’s passing are doing God’s work on Earth. Thank you!
Linda,
Thank you for sharing your journey. Thankful you have turned your experience into something so positive in order to help others. Well said and lived.
Truly Inspiring Story, Linda. I am literally in tears. God Bless you.
God Bless you, Linda! I never knew what you went through! My heart is broken for the all pain you went through. The decision you made to become a nurse and work in hospice makes you one of God’s true miracles! You are a blessing to all those you meet! ❤️
Linda, all I can say is that you were a light for Mark and I in a very long tunnel. I praise hospice nurses always. God Bless you my friend. Much love to you always.
Linda,
I’m sorry for your loss but proud of you for your courage!
Knowing nothing about this type of care, i found your article very informative. You told your story and did a wonderful, Jesus like thing by becoming a hospice nurse to help others. May Jesus keep you in his favor and an abundance of blessings for your nursing career.
Linda Slaven this was a wonderful article. I am sure it will give comfort & guidance to so many people who are in the same situation you were. Great read you should feel very accomplished. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Linda, Can I just say I love you. I know that must have been hard for you to write. I have been with my parents and my little brother an aunt and an uncle while they took theur last breath. Some with hospice some not. I chose to go into law enforcement but my son who was by my side taking care of our family went back to school when he turned 30 to become a nurse and I am so proud of him. He has what it takes to be by the side a patient while they take their last breath and to be their for their family members. It takes a special person to do this and it sounds like you are definitely one of them.
Linda, you and all hospice nurses are a very special kind of person. I lost my mom15 years ago to cancer. From diagnosis to death was less than 8 months. Way too fast. We were blindsided. I don’t remember the names of any of her doctors. But her nurse’s name was Janice. Janice checked in on my mom when we weren’t able to get to the hospital right away, they joked back and forth all the time, she let me cry on her shoulder telling me to get it out of my system so I could go back into my mom’s room feeling a little bit lighter. I will never forget Janice. And I am quite sure there are many who will never forget what you have done for them, their family or their loved one. Thank you for being you.