Peg Rodgers
April 2017
Peg
Rodgers
,
RN
Whatcom Hospice
PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center
Bellingham
,
WA
United States

 

 

 

Several weeks ago Peg made a visit to her patient's home and discovered that she had died. That patient's daughter was present and was grieving. Peg provided listening support for the daughter and stayed with her for a long while. Peg then offered to clean up the patient as she had not had a bath in days. The daughter said, "It's OK, that's not necessary." Peg again offered and told her she would be honored to provide this care and asked the daughter if she would like to participate. She did. Together Peg and the daughter took the time to wash, dry, lotion, and place clean warm clothing on this dear woman's body for her final journey. She smelled fresh and looked beautiful! They placed a very special pair of socks on her at the daughter's request (cozy chemotherapy socks that she had never gotten to wear). The daughter remarked that the experience of providing this last ritual to her mom will forever be held closely in her heart.