Hi, my name is Colleen and I live at Chatham-Kent Hospice.

Before moving to Hospice, I lived on my own, however, I have severe COPD and my lung capacity declined to 15% making it impossible to care for myself.

The move to Hospice was initiated by a bout of pneumonia that almost took my life. In fact, my family didn’t think I was going to make it but somehow I did and it was recommended that I move to Chatham-Kent Hospice.

The wonderful care I have received at Hospice, both physical and emotional, has not only given me quality of life but, I believe, extended my life.

When I say I live at Hospice, I want to stress the word “live”. I enjoy watching television, knitting, and drawing and I love to go outside in the courtyard to sit in the afternoon sun with a glass of wine and a good book.

My family and friends can visit at any time and we have enjoyed several family dinners in the dining room including a roast beef dinner, Chinese food takeout and a graduation celebration for my granddaughter. 

At first my family and friends were nervous about coming to Hospice because they thought it would be dark and depressing. They thought I would be “out of it” both physically and mentally but when they came, they were pleasantly surprised.

The staff and volunteers here are like my guardian angels. If I need anything, they will get it for me. Because I know they are here, I’m not afraid anymore and that is not only a comfort to me, but to my loved ones as well.

I recently had the opportunity to watch a caterpillar go through its life cycle and become a butterfly. It was amazing watching it go through the various stages from a fuzzy caterpillar into a cocoon then transform into a beautiful butterfly. 

I can relate to the butterfly because I too have gone through many stages in my life. As I enter the final stage of my life, Hospice is helping me live each day to the fullest.

This is a wonderful place, and if you or a loved one is entering the final stage in life, I want to tell you to consider living at Hospice. You will be glad you did.