Showing Category: Stories
A President’s Final Gift
I’ve always believed that some of the greatest gifts I receive from being a hospice physician are the lessons I am taught by my patients. Indeed, we all have things to learn from each other in this world, if we pay attention, but there are special lessons taught to us by those who are preparing to die. The clarity of this reality often brings into focus the elements of life we wish we would [...]
How Hospice Helps: A Patient Caregiver’s Gratitude
When June and Mark met in 1976, it was love at first sight. "Together we raised three beautiful children and built a life that dreams are made of," says Mark Bowman. When June was 58, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. "To witness the love of your life slowly disappear right before your eyes is horribly cruel. It kills everyone a little bit," explains Mr. Bowman. Throughout her disease, Mr. Bowman [...]
From The Bedside: A Soldier Remembered
Shortly after walking into the nurse’s station on the Blue Ridge Hospice Inpatient Care Center, one of the nurses craned her neck around the doorway and asked, “Hey doc, would you mind meeting with room 8’s family when you get a chance?” “Sure,” I replied, “what’s the situation?” Having not read through the patient’s chart yet, I was curious as to how I was needed. The nurse related that the patient in room 8, [...]
Sowing Hope: A Mother’s Grief & Gardening Journey
When Joanne Royaltey puts on her gardening gloves this Saturday, it will not only be to join in on the Blue Ridge Hospice Sowing Hope grief workshop. Joanne will also be sharing her own story of grief and how plants and gardening have intertwined with her journey. “Saturday October 22 is the 20th anniversary of my daughter's passing — a day I could never fathom would happen," shares Joanne. "I cannot think of any place [...]
Paws & Purrs: Providing Free Pet Services to Hospice Patients
On Friday September 16, 2022, nearly 100 friends and supporters of Blue Ridge Hospice gathered at Muse Vineyards in Woodstock, VA, for the Paws & Purrs Launch Event and Fundraiser. Free Pet Services for Hospice Patients Paws & Purrs is Blue Ridge Hospice’s new comprehensive pet program for patients and families. Patients experience stress and anxiety when they worry about what will happen to their animal companions. [...]
When All There’s Left to Say is “I Do”
Blue Ridge Hospice chaplains are available to provide our patients and their families with spiritual care during their end-of-life journey. Our Interfaith Chaplains provide support through presence, counsel, prayer, or religious rituals, but they are also available to provide comfort in other ways. “We do a lot of legacy work,” says Larissa Blechman, who has worked as a hospice chaplain for 14 years, with more than three years at BRH.“Patients often want to look back [...]
