Here are Your Stories

May 3, 2013

Dear Hospice,

I am writting this letter as a letter of recognition towards two ladies on your staff that really did an outstanding job!

It has been almost a month since my grandmother (Mary Ward) passed. She was fortunate enough to be in your establishment for the last five days of her life, & my sister & I were blessed and fortunate enough to be by her side 24/7. As hard as it was to be there and watching the ‘Most ‘ important lady in our lives, (the ‘Rock’ of our family, if you will) in her last days, it turned out to be the most beautiful week in my life.

During those five days/nights, there were two exceptional members on your staff that really went above and beyond the call of duty! These two ladies, no matter what time or for whatever reason they may have been called upon, came to the room in a comforting and selfless manner, as if it were their own family member laying there in the bed. Not only doing their job, as if it were just a job, but as if ‘God’ had blessed them in such a manner to be in that profession to naturally be strong for others, comfort others, care for others, and seem to be totally selfless in the interest of making us feel that we were no bother at any given time.

In Short, I would like to Thank You from the bottom of my heart for the services that Hospice and these two exceptional ladies provided for our family! I don’t know the last names of the two ladies, but I will always remember their first names and the wonderful people that they are!

Thank you,…… ‘Shirley & Vikki’

Sincerely, Brian Ward

ps. Shirley & Vikki, I give you so much credit for the jobs you do, I now realize that no job, no matter how physical, or how much much brain power may be required, compares to the strength that you ladies have doing your job! ( and still make it look so natural )

My family would like to thank HPH for being there for us in our greatest time of need.

My mother was your patient, and as a former nurse she bonded quickly with HPH nurse Mervia and others from HPH. You all acted so quickly whenever we needed a new medicine or had a question. You provided comfort for my mother when she was in pain or weak, and you provided peace of mind if we had a question at any time of day. We were all pleasantly surprised by the quick responses we received at all levels from HPH, from the moment my mom was admitted to those most difficult times. When we really needed immediate help, HPH sent a nurse in the middle of the night…and your nurses always worked to help us and never made us feel like a burden. They never tried to rush off, and they stayed for hours in the middle of the night during an emergency and worked feverishly to reduce my mother’s pain. Your nurses offered to stay with us at critical times, and they again came quickly to help at our lowest point.

I know my mother appreciated your care and help, and my father, my brother, and I echo those sentiments. You cared for the person we loved most at a time when she needed it most. We will always be grateful to HPH for helping us through the most trying moments in our lives. We plan to donate to HPH in many ways, and we hope you can keep providing comfort to others in need. On behalf of my beloved mother and the rest of my family: Thank You.

I wanted to personaly thank the entire care team at the Hospice Care Center in Brooksville, FL for all their support and care for my husband’s mother Christine Burgess. Everyone was wonderful – the nurses, Social Worker, and Pete the chief in the café who made sure we had something to eat every day. Without the support from everyone, this journey would have been much more difficult. It is such an emotional time for the family during this time and the with the support from everyone it made it easier. Thank you to everyone and continue the work you do every day as it takes special people to do what you do.

Sincerely, The family of Wayne Burgess, Christines son.

You saved our family. When my mom came home from the hospital we all knew she did not have much time. The staff at your agency was so compassionate to the family while rendering to my mother’s comfort. They explained to us what to expect during my mother’s final hours. Without knowing this we would not of been looking for these signs and quite possibily would not of been at her bedside when she passed. She was in no pain and her passing was peaceful. The critical care nurse stayed, consoled our family and allowed us to have whatever time we needed with mom. She made all notifications and even put a fresh nightgown on my mom. Her services allowed our family to grieve and not worry about anything. In other circumstances we would have fallen apart. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

- The family of Penny Schmidt

To the staff and volunteers of HPH Hospice Dade City, Over the past month you have lovingly cared for our beloved mother Helen Fletcher in her final days. The tender loving care that you provided her until the angels came and took her to be with God was more than anyone could ever imagine. When she was sick you calmed her and tended to her needs and comforted her. On her good days you made her smile and laugh and enjoy her time there. The professionalism and compassion that all of you gave to her was a godsend for all of us. When my husband and I stayed with her those many days and nights you treated us like family and we grew close to all of you. You fed us, comforted us and made us feel as though it were our home away from home. We will always have you in our thoughts and prayers and everyone we meet will know of your kindness and help in our time of need. Without you it would have been an ordeal that I’m not quite sure we could have handled. We don’t know how you manage to do what you do but may God bless you for it and find a place in his heart for each and every one of you. With loving gratitude, Carolyn and Ron Williams