The year 2019 has brought many changes to my family. In January, my father was diagnosed with a condition called white matter brain disease. At the age of 88 he chose no treatment and we knew that it would most likely take him sooner than later. In July, he and my mom came to live with me and my husband because my mother could no longer care for him and the health care system in their home state was not meeting his needs. It was here that our family experienced the Mercy Home Health department which provided them both with wonderful care, compassion, and positive outcomes. We knew that dad was not going to get any better, but they did some wonderful things to help us along the way. As the remainder of the year went along, we continued to see dad failing both physically and mentally. In December, he signed his self into Hospice. It was that day that the angels of Mercy Hospital St Louis appeared at my front door and they stayed with us the entire time. The days went too quickly but not without the loving arms of this wonderful team who cared not just for my dad but for my mother, me and my husband.
Becky and I are no strangers to each other. Becky was a nursing student in the program where I teach. Her goal was to work in Hospice. As her instructor, I shared with her that she needs to come work in the hospital before she can become a hospice nurse to help her develop a foundation. She did an amazing job in the Heart Hospital and she has done equally as well with Hospice. While sad to have my dad enrolled in this program, I knew that I would request her to be his nurse.
Becky Hoffmann is a DAISY Nurse because she showed extraordinary compassion, outstanding skill, and genuine kindness not only to my dad but to our entire family. She went above and beyond many times by calling us on her days off, swinging by just to check on us, and in the final days, she came by every day. She was on duty the day my dad passed away. Her tenderness with my father and mother was ever so sincere. She is still checking on my mom as she is struggling emotionally. They had been married for almost 68 years and Becky honored that with her care of them both.
Thank you for allowing me to share this story about Becky's compassion. The entire Hospice team was amazing. My family and I were wowed by the care and compassion that each person showed and eternally grateful.