“Be Brilliant!”
This is Angela’s motto. After years of living with chronic autoimmune disease and suffering multiple high-risk seizures, Angela was told she would have the intelligence of an eight-year-old. Yet, she continues to rise above. “Be Brilliant” is an affirmation Angela repeats to spread light and encouragement to herself, her family, and her community of care.
A Safe Space
“End-of-life care” was a familiar term for Angela. As a former hospice volunteer who was deeply involved in end-of-life care, she understands the heart of hospice: to provide a safe space that allows patients—and their loved ones—to live fully every day with the highest quality of life possible. So after struggling through a year of intense medical challenges,
she knew that the time had come for her to be in the comfort of her own home under Arbor Hospice’s care. Though she was unsure of the number of days she had left, she knew she would be in good hands.
“The entire hospice team has been a saving grace for me and my family,” Angela reflects. “My nurse, doctor, social worker, volunteers, and massage therapist allowed me to find comfort in a safe and familiar space with loved ones. Because of this, I could determine how I wanted to treat my pain, the medications I did or did not want to take, and so on.”
Having access to compassionate care like this brought Angela peace of mind not only for herself, but for her loved ones, too.
“Hospice is a safe space that allows for room and time to heal and/or die in peace. If death is meant to be within six months, they will help with that process in a non-judgmental, positive, compassionate, supportive way. I find great comfort in this, as do my loved ones.”
Because of the amazing care and support Angela received while on hospice care, she eventually became well enough to transition to a different type of comfort care, also offered by Arbor Hospice: NorthStar Palliative Care.
While transitioning out of hospice care is uncommon, Arbor Hospice’s palliative program allows these patients to continue receiving guidance on symptom management and medical support for ongoing health concerns. NorthStar Palliative Care is also available to those who need and seek help with a life-limiting illness before they may need hospice services – those who still wish to seek curative treatments. A resource covered by insurance, palliative care physicians and nurse practitioners make visits to wherever patients call home, helping to treat symptoms, discussing goals of care, and bringing comfort to a difficult time.
Angela’s Message to You
Angela’s journey has been extraordinary. While each day has its ups and downs, her hope for you is to consider how end-of-life care can make an impactful difference for you or your loved ones.
She shares this message:
“May this spark conversations around your dinner table about end-of-life desires and wishes, and how you want to manage your long-term care if facing a life-threatening and debilitating illness. Lastly, I hope everyone sees their inherent ability to heal oneself while gaining a deeper understanding that life is a precious gem which needs to be polished and treasured. Shine brightly and be brilliant, so others learn they, too, can do the same.”
If you or a loved one needs compassionate end-of-life care, don’t wait to make the call. Call Arbor Hospice today or learn more here.
Support Arbor Hospice today by making a tax-deductible donation and help support compassionate not-for-profit care right here in your community.