This the first of our monthly series featuring a different Talbot Hospice story to highlight the many different facets of our mission. It first appeared in the December 2020 issue of What's Up Magazine.
This content and the "Know us Before You Need Us" campaign are proudly sponsored by Dr. Kelly O'Donnell of O'Donnell Vein & Laser.
“Thanks to the amazing team at Talbot Hospice, my dad and I were able to be husband and daughter and not just caregivers to my mom.”
That’s the way Kelly Griffith described the care her mother, Nancy Nolan, received at The Eleanor K. Koons Hospice House during her final months of life. Kelly, who is Superintendent of Talbot County Public Schools, told how her mom came to Talbot Hospice and how she flourished there.
“We thought she had only a week to live when she came to Hospice on April 27, 2016, but she got better.” Her mother, Nancy, survived another four months until she passed on August 20th.
When Nancy improved, Kelly and her dad, Jim Nolan, wondered if they had made a premature, wrong decision. Local physician Dr. Rob Sanchez told them her mom’s case was not unique. “We see a lot of patients get better when they come to Hospice.”
Nancy’s journey to Hospice was preceded by three bouts of breast cancer over nearly 20 years. Repeated radiation and chemotherapy had taken its toll. In December, 2015, she had experienced headaches and balance problems. By February, 2016, the cancer had spread to her brain and lungs. Nancy was too tired for more treatments. “The Lord is ready for me,” she said.
Kelly was driving 50 miles most nights to Dover, Delaware—where Nancy and Jim lived—to cook dinner, help care for her mom at night, then drive back the next morning to her demanding superintendent’s job in Easton.
Then, her dad, Jim fractured his back while helping Nancy get back to bed. Kelly knew it was time to do something different. After a fellow Rotary Club member shared that a room was available at Hospice House, Kelly made the call.
“My dad was impressed with the cleanliness, a private room and all the services,” Kelly said. The next day, Nancy moved in. “I knew it was the right decision.”
That began a four-month stay at The Eleanor A. Koons Hospice House. Jim moved in with Kelly and her husband, Barry, who at that time lived in Wye Mills, a lot closer than Dover. He would visit his wife every day at Hospice; then Kelly would come over for lunch and dinner and spend the evening. Jim and Nancy watched old movies together and he read from the Bible. An early riser, Jim sometime would come as early as 5:30 am. “Hospice House is always accessible,” Kelly noted. She recalled that her youngest son, Wyatt, often would work out at the YMCA but instead of doing an aerobic routine on the treadmill “he’d run over, all sweaty, to Hospice to visit his grandmother,” Kelly said. Her other two sons, Jake and Brady, also visited often.
“Mom enjoyed the activities here and most days would visit every room to see if they had gotten flowers,” Kelly recalled.
But most of all, Kelly said, the staff was wonderful. “They take care of their patients 24-7 so we can spend time quality time with our loved one.”
“The trained nurses, skilled aides and volunteers did everything—taking mom to the bathroom, dressing her, giving the family updates on her illness, counseling us and all the while showing great patience and love,” Kelly said.
“If mom wanted some pudding,” Kelly recalled, “the staff would go get it.”
Kelly said every one of the staff and volunteers was outstanding. Mary Jane Meintzer, registered nurse and quality improvement coordinator was great, she said. Rev. Gil Anderson, a volunteer, counseled her dad and helped him deal with the difficult situation, Kelly recalled.
During Nancy’s Hospice stay, she and Jim celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Two volunteers, Steve and Anne Slack, offered to cook the meal of her choice for the occasion. They also told Nancy she could invite four couples from Dover to join them, which they did. Nancy’s choice was clams linguini. “Red or white sauce?” she was asked. “Red,” Nancy replied firmly. The night of the big dinner, Nancy had forgotten, and asked for white sauce. The Slacks provided both, and everyone had a little of both so they wouldn’t run out.
Kelly and her family, most of all her mom Nancy, felt very comfortable at Talbot Hospice. The staff arranged for musicians to come in and play in the hall for the patients. The rooms and halls were decorated with colorful artwork, some of it donated by art teachers and their students from the local public schools. “Mom really enjoyed the artwork, which brightened up the space.”
“This is a classy place,” Kelly said. “Even the meals are served on china every night. They help our loved ones to die with dignity.”
Note: Talbot Hospice cared for Nancy prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The entire team at Talbot Hospice has continued to provide the best possible care for all of their patients and families, however some of the activities mentioned in this story aren’t currently available due to COVID-19 guidelines.
