Tuesday, December 8th is Colorado Gives Day, and we’d like to share with you a few of the many faces of TRU – the people behind the work we do.
Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation to TRU. You can schedule your donation today, or revisit the link on December 8th.
To help TRU Community Care reach its goal of $45,000 raised on Colorado Gives Day, the Paige Family Foundation is matching the first $15,000 donated to our Colorado Gives Day campaign! Help us take advantage of this generous matching gift!
I served in the military, was a firefighter for 21 years, and a police officer in Longmont before becoming a nurse. I’ve always been called to help people. I see the dying process as a natural part of our life cycle – a part that people need help and support with because they aren’t used to dealing with it.
Hospice is for people with six months or less to live, and I focus on patients who are at the very end – those we think are in their last seven days of life. It’s a critical time to support patients and families. I help with pain management but much of what I do is education – helping people know what to expect.
Once, a patient’s son asked if I could tell his mom that she was doing a good job caring for his dad. I was glad to tell her quite sincerely, and I was moved by the relief, gratitude, and pride that washed over her at that moment. Caregivers don’t get nearly enough credit. They just don’t know the signs that they are doing things right, and I get to educate and validate them.
When COVID hit, we focused on making sure patients and families had everything they needed to get them through the shutdown. We made a lot of phone calls. We trained people on how to participate in video visits. I remember driving into work as an essential employee in those early days and seeing only one or two other cars on the road. That’s when the severity of the situation first hit me.
I have had the experience on multiple occasions of walking in to care for a patient who is COVID-positive. It is important to me to support my patients and families, no matter what. My role remains the same – manage pain, ensure comfort, educate, provide compassionate care – I’m just more suited up. I believe in the difference hospice makes at the end of life, so I’m going to keep suiting up and showing up.
I am thankful for a wonderful family and that I have a job helping people. As we said in the military – one team, one fight. We’re all in this together.
Please Consider Supporting TRU for Colorado Gives Day.
