Pathways Hospice Caring Stories

Instructions: To read the following caring stories in their entirety, please click the story title to be taken to that story's page.

Dearest Papa

Pathways Hospice Care was a lifeline for me during the final chapters of my father and step mother’s lives. They died just weeks apart while I traveled back and forth from out of state. The hospice team transcended geography.

Journey of Life

In 2008, Washington Hospital asked Sara Trayser, a Pathways volunteer, and hospice family member, to sit down for an interview. In the video interview, Sara shares her family's experience working with Pathways Hospice as we cared for her mother.

Vibrations to Ease the Pain

Writing was Sita’s life. She was a prolific author with several published books. When she first came to Pathways, Sita was in a great deal of pain. She was unable to sit up, or concentrate or write. But she was so sensitive to medications that it was very difficult to manage her pain with drugs alone.

Music to Soothe the Soul

Diagnosed with dementia, Bill had been living in a skilled nursing facility because his behavior was becoming combative. At 81, Bill had been married for 58 years.

Extraordinary Patient, Extraordinary Care

The average length of stay for a hospice patient can be anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months. But occasionally, an extraordinary patient comes along.  Joanne was one of those.  We cared for her for more than 2 years.

Wendy's Mother, Bess

When Wendy placed a flip chart in her mother’s room, she expected it to be used for communicating between herself, her two sisters, and her mother’s caregivers. It ended up being much more.  The flip chart also became a guest registry. Wendy’s mother, Bess, had many friends and they would leave notes about their visits.

Cathy & Becky - Sisters

Some Hospice patients are at the peak of their professional and social lives when a sudden illness challenges them and their families, quickly changing their roles and responsibilities.

Emma's Story

Life rarely goes as we plan. Emma discovered a lump on her breast just before her marriage to Jim, the love of her life. This did not deter their plans of celebration and Emma described their honeymoon as the best time in her life. Upon return, however, Emma and Jim learned that she had breast cancer.