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.

This article is submitted in memory of Colleen who passed away at Chatham-Kent Hospice.

This holiday season is a time for family and friends to come together to celebrate our connections and to make memories. Good memories will help us get through the tough times, will help us smile when smiling seems like the last thing we could ever do again. This holiday season we wish you and your family peace, happiness, and health and we keep the residents and families we’ve served close to our hearts.