Patient & Family Stories

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Remembering Susan…Thoughts from a husband and father

“…on Tuesday, my wife Susan was feeling the best she had in over a week. Her renewed energy and spirit were welcome signs, and she wanted to see the children. Callista, our 5-year-old daughter, and Billy, our 3-year-old son were enjoying the children’s playground at San Diego Hospice - only 100 feet outside the patio of Susan’s room. They’d play outside, then come in and visit Mommy.

That afternoon, Susan and I were able to have a comforting conversation about how pleased she was to see the children’s happy spirits, and how they had transitioned so well to Daddy, Grandma, and Uncle Scott’s increased roles in their lives. We were grateful for the support and quality time that San Diego Hospice gave our family. It allowed Susan to feel comfortable about “passing the torch,” a concept that had now come to the forefront of Susan’s mind, undoubtedly giving her the inner peace she needed in coming to closure with the fear that her family would not fare well without her.

…San Diego Hospice enabled Susan to be a devoted mother as long as she lived. They provided me the courage to move forward as a loving husband and father through the end of Susan’s life and into the life that the children and I have ahead of us. I know the dedication of the team at San Diego Hospice provided all four of us with quality care, support, and guidance that allowed us to participate as a family in Susan’s life, and in her death. In so doing, Susan’s ultimate experience with death included dignity, with the utmost attention to her comfort, in beautiful comfortable surroundings.”

-Craig Y.