Supporting individuals and families through life's most delicate transitions from aging in place to navigating a new diagnosis and end of life care. With a focus on dignity, comfort and education, I assist with care planning, home support, and grief care, ensuring no one walks this path alone.   

SERVICES PROVIDED

In my teens I experienced what it is like to live with someone with Alzheimer’s.  Sadly, my sweet Grandfather (“Pops”) was diagnosed.  He could no longer stay in his home, so he lived with us part time and part time with my Mom’s sister. I learned to have a lot of compassion and patience with his daily challenges and mental confusion. My Mom was a nurse and she taught us how to respectfully address and assist with his personal care and his safety. He was a kind, gentle soul and ended up passing from a stroke.

In December of 2022 we learned the devastating news that my father had aggressive, terminal brain cancer. This turned my family’s lives upside down. His first surgery was in January 2023 and the surgery went well. Following that he had radiation and then chemo for many months. There were ups and downs, but he was in the comfort of his own home with my Mom. Later that year his brain began to swell; the cancer had returned.

January 2024, he had his second brain surgery and unfortunately in the months to come he would be hit with several infections keeping him in hospital without the strength to continue with treatment. For many months Joseph Brant Hospital became a second home for us. I experienced firsthand how very difficult it was to watch someone you love, suffer, and decline through their illness. Sitting and supporting him through a variety of emotions, as he grieved my mom, my sister and I were some of the hardest moments. I was constantly observing his physical and mental state. I was observing and learning from the doctors and nurses on appropriate care, learning from my mother whose former career as a nurse had been a godsend, her commitment to his care and well-being was unwavering.

This is when I began to feel a calling to care, I knew I wanted to be of service. I could see the need everywhere around me. I was pouring myself into education when I was not with my Dad. In February I learned for the first time, the role of a death doula or end-of-life doula and it caught my attention. I had realized that I wanted to be there with him till the very end. We had some plans to do some work together on his legacy and expressions of love for my Mom and my sister.

In March of 2024 he was moved to Hospice. It was a very difficult decision not to bring him home but keeping him comfortable and safe was the top priority. The transition was seamless, and he really enjoyed his new living space, as did we. It was cozy and everyone was so welcoming. There was space to gather, friends and family visited often. Being with him became even more important, we knew his condition would continue to decline. On April 9th we received the devastating news that he suddenly passed in the night. It was a shock as the near signs of death were not present to me when I visited the day prior. Sadly, he did not pass peacefully but more by accident, he choked on toast. We visited that morning and with many tears said our goodbyes to my Dad. From there we went through the overwhelming “next steps”. As much as my parents and we had conversations on wishes we realize now they were very surface level. We were not prepared for all the work ahead never mind making space to grieve our broken hearts.

Grief is a personal journey; I welcome it when it comes. I also enjoy it when all the happy memories flood through and warm my heart. He’s always with me. He is who I carry with me when I work with patients and their families, he is my source of strength, and he drives me to do this important work.

In sharing this I aim to provide insight as to the professional and personal life experience and skills that I offer to individuals and their families needing compassionate support and care as they go through the sacred journey of one passing away and afterwards. As I reflect on my past experiences, I am keenly aware that I really enjoy taking care of others. My Dad’s end-of-life journey drives my desire to advocate for others and I believe people deserve the best possible quality of life, regardless of their life stage or circumstances.