Suzie’s Story

Provider Relations Manager, Aseracare Hospice

Aseracare Hospice is not about “Giving Up”; it is about compassionate care for the
patient and adding quality of life for the patient and family.
 

      My Mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer
a few years ago. She was 54 and the light of our lives,
and we simply could not believe this could be happening
to us. Her Oncologist suggested we consult
a hospice agency but I refused. I had just been hit by a
ton of bricks. My life as I knew it was now over, and I
certainly did not want to call hospice whom I considered
to be no different than the “Grim Reaper”.
I was sure that all a hospice agency did was, “come sit by her bed to
wait for her to quit breathing.” I was already angry and
my attitude was that “I did not need those people in my life.”
The months passed, her chemo treatments failed,
she was slipping away. Everyday we prayed for a miracle
until one day she told us she was ready to “go home”.
As heartbreaking as that was for my family and me, we
simply prayed together on that day that God would take
her home. We called Hospice the next day.
T heir team came in as if they were superheroes here
to save the day; my family and I were all exhausted both
mentally and physically. Our hospice nurse was able to
provide pain medications we had not had before which
really helped put my Mother more at ease. It is so hard
to watch someone you love suffer so badly. They set a
schedule to come out and help with everyday tasks
which included visits from CNAs, Nurses, a Chaplain
and a Social Worker. I cannot tell you what a relief it
was to have people around us that were in control, that
could tell us what was happening and what to expect as
her disease progressed. They were able to alleviate my
Mother’s pain caused by the cancer which at this point
had metastasized to her bones. Suddenly we were not
alone, not to say that we were ever alone, we had extended
family and church friends but they were as scared as we
were. Having compassionate professionals supporting my
family and caring for my Mother was such a tremendous
help.
Instead of panicking on a daily basis; we learned
to treasure the moments we had with my Mother. We
talked about our childhood, looked at photos, laughed at
events from our past and took the opportunity to stop, sit
down and make sure she knew how much we loved her. In
turn, she was able to do the same which in the end is just
as important to the patient. Hospice was without a doubt
a blessing to my family and I. Soon after my Mother passed
away, my sister and I decided that hospice was our calling.
Now I have the opportunity to spend everyday helping
families that are as desperate as I was at that time. I hope
that the fact that I have “been there” makes a difference in
the lives of these patients and families. Aseracare Hospice
has been my vehicle for making that difference.
T he team of caregivers at Aseracare hospice is a caring
and compassionate family. Each new patient is “adopted”
and treated as if they were our own. Both Medicare and
Medicaid offer hospice benefits so often there is no cost to
the family for these services. Aseracare’s Medical Directors
are directly involved in patient care often making house calls
to patients in distress. Our services are available 24 hours a
day 7 days a week. We know that it is a privilege to have the
opportunity to care for patients facing terminal illnesses; we
have one chance to make a difference in the lives of these
families and intend to do just that. No one should ever die
alone; our patients are in their own homes, nursing homes,
hospitals, assisted living facilities and retirement centers.
Most patients facing terminal illness want to pass away at
home as opposed to a facility and although we realize that
this is not always possible we will do all we can to help the
family fulfill these wishes.
Aseracare Hospice agencies are all across the state of
Mississippi, for more information please call 866-826-7744.