Journeys of Heartache and Grace

by Melody Chatelle

Within a 12-day period, I had the privilege of sitting next to two women as they took their last breaths. The two women were mother and daughter.

Together they represented two of the most important women in my life, my own 72-year-old mother, Irma Jeanne Chatelle, and her mother, my 95-year-old grandmother, Faye Farley. My mother’s death was expected. She had battled cancer intermittently Read more

Celebrating at Town Lake

We set up on the other side of the Stevie Ray Vaughn memorial statue on Town Lake 2 weeks ago to celebrate World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2008.

The weather couldn’t have been better. We were in a cozy nook of the park along the trail, enjoying the musicians who came to play and watch the sunset over downtown Austin.

One of the goals of World Hospice Day is to bring awareness to the healing power of hospice into the lives of the dying and their loved ones. The other is to bring awareness internationally about the lack of palliative care in many countries. People around the world are suffering as they face serious illness and as they die. Initiatives have begun and are strengthening due to this event which is growing every year.

We accomplished what we set out to do. Many people stopped and enjoyed the evening with us. We had speakers in between the songs giving us a look into their experience with hospice. Chaplains, nurses, and movers and shakers in the hospice local and international scene were there sharing their insights.

We’ll be there every year…at the Stevie Ray Vaughn memorial statue at Town Lake on the second Saturday of October.

See you next year!

On behalf of

The Texas New Mexico Hospice Organization

International Association of Hospice and Palliative Care

Quality of Life Care

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to the people who made this year happen:

2008 Sponsors

Katrina Wilson

Jane Alder

Stan Wilson

Roni Spector

Myra Guidry

Dr. Lee Friarson-Stroud

David Stroud

Pam Walls

Roni Kendal

Danielle Cochran

Lauren Cochran

Karla Hamelin

Laurie Scott

Keith Bray

Janice Spence

Mary Lou Manchaca

Jamie spector

Kiffeny Wilson

Dependacare

Monte Siesta Nursing and Rehabilitation

Heart to Heart Hospice

The Cancer Connection

Runtex

Austin’s Grace Hospice

October 11, 2008

Austin. Texas ~ The 2nd Annual Austin celebration of World Hospice & Palliative Care Day is coming next Saturday, October 11th! This year we’ll be at the beautiful shores of Town Lake at the Stevie Ray Vaughn memorial from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. We’ll be listening to some fine music from Tony Morris, internationally known classical guitarist, starting at 7:00pm to 8:00pm. If you have music to share of whatever style and want to jam afterwards, come on down!

We’ll be there to share the revolution of hospice and palliative care right here in Austin as well as in the world. Mostly we are gathering to celebrate the comfort this service is bringing to the dying and their families. There is much to celebrate!

Details:

Date & Time: Saturday, October 11, 2008
6:30pm - 8pm

Location: Stevie Ray Vaughn Memorial
Shores of Town Lake, Austin
(just west of the Gazebo at the 1st street bridge & Riverside)

 

Featured Performer:

Tony Morris, 7:00pm

6:pm - 7:00. Discussion & Education

8pm - ?, Music round robin/jam
any style/any instruments

 

 

for more information, please visit: the Austin website and the World Website

 

2008 Organizers:

 

 

Morphine and breathing

Morphine is one of many drugs that is used to treat moderate to severe pain and also it is used to treat shortness of breath. Not many people know that.

In hospice medicine we use it all the time for both and it is one Read more