Family, friends and community a blessing

As I enter my fourth year post-ALS diagnosis, I can honestly say, I have been blessed by the Havre community, my family and my widespread friends. To hear what you mean to people is a true gift, one I will treasure to my last breath.

While in the words of Monty Python, I’m not dead yet, I am sticking close to my beloved home and yard. My voice is gone, and I get nervous in crowds. (I have to be sick: not talking and avoiding people!) I had a good run, though, and have no regrets.

But I would be remiss if I didn’t say what hospice means to me before I go.

I need help with everything nowadays. And, I’m blessed to have Bear Paw Hospice in our lives since April. The best part is my visits twice a day from my CNA, Yolanda. She arrives each weekday at 8:30 a.m. and does range of motion (I liken it to massage for an ALS patient), and then cleans me and dresses me. Dolan is then called to lift me out of bed into my powerchair. Then she gets me food. She used to cook me eggs, but now all I ask for is Boost. She leaves at 10:30 a.m.

She returns from 4 to 6 p.m., and is such a good companion. Some days she has to deal with my BM issues, but she takes care of things efficiently and never makes negative comments. In fact, she says the one word she doesn’t want to hear from me is “sorry.”

Once a week the RN comes to check vitals and chat. Liz comes most, but Deb comes now and then. They are the ones who check meds and find out how healthy a terminal person can be. I always say, I’m the healthiest dying person I know!

Once a month we are visited by the social worker. Charlene just has heart to hearts with each family member, to ensure we all are OK emotionally.

So we are all blessed. Hospice allows my family to live their life while knowing I’m cared for professionally. Paul and Dolan can work and Caroline can still enjoy her teens. And when things get to the end game, they will help bring us to a peaceful close to this chapter.

All terminal diseases are hard. Thankfully, Bear Paw Hospice travels this arduous path with us.

Pam Hillery

Havre