Powell River family gives thanks for excellent palliative care received
I am writing to tell you of my gratitude for the tremendous support, that my husband and I received from the program and its Coordinator Linda de Vries. I sincerely hope that the program continues to support future patients and their caregivers. It’s amazing that one woman and her volunteers provide so much.
Specifically, we learned to live with an incurable illness, to address our grief, to learn more about caregiving, to devise our own philosophy of hope against such terrible odds and to learn about the final days.
My husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer in January 2011. He received palliative treatment in Oncology at the Powell River General Hospital and he passed away in February 2013 at home, two years after his diagnosis.
Peter and I felt very isolated until we made contact with the program and Linda de Vries. My husband kept a journal during the first year of his illness and, in the journal, he describes our first appointment with Ms. DeVries:
“Our first appointment was on Monday, June 13th. Linda was the voice, the person, I had been searching for during my illness with cancer. We both found her gentle warmth and knowledge to be a source of support and information. We were able to make appointments as needed and have access to her small library on death, dying and the role of the caregiver”.
In many of the library materials, there were paper plaques inside the cover indicating donations from grateful families and friends of palliative patients. I would be so disappointed, if the library collection were no longer available to hospice patients and their families. It’s a unique collection, built up over many years.
After Peter’s death, I continued grief counselling with Linda until she went on medical leave. I can’t say enough about this program and the services provided to persons with incurable illnesses, their families and to persons dealing with grief issues. It lives up to program description in your pamphlets and online website.
Expectant parents receive support for bringing their young into the world from hospital and community health institutions, it is reassuring that we in the Powell River community will receive just as much attention on our departure from this world. Keep up the excellent work.
Regards,
Pam K.
Miriam
Palliative care is becoming more important with a larger proportion of elders in our communities. But in North Vancouver, important positions have also been eliminated and hours cut back; like the Palliative Liaison Nurse and Palliative counsellors.
Dan Glover
It is a shame that Linda’s position has been eliminated in the new restructuring of Home Health Care. Linda has been a valuable colleague for many years and her position will be difficult to replace given her skills, experience and training.
Karen Burlingame - Mgr Home Health
Thank you for your comment – I would like to set the record straight – Linda’s position was eliminated but was not part of the Home Health restructuring. It’s true though she will be greatly missed.