Tag: subcutaneous driver

Stepping Stone Hospice


stepping_stones_of_memory_by_nwwes-d3krg59On the 1st of January 2013 we started Stepping Stone Hospice & Care Services in my suburb.  We operated from my home with one highly skilled Palliative Care Nurse, a Palliative Care Doctor,  a network of caregivers, a four women steering committee,  one car and a lot of enthusiasm and energy.

Vic was our first death.  Stepping Stone was borne out of her pain and her desire to “pass it (Hospice Care) forward”.  Many years ago, I promised her that I would start a Hospice in her honour…. It would be her legacy.  When Siza looked after my Dad in his final days we “connected”.  She is a beautiful, compassionate, efficient person.  She has a gentle yet confidence inspiring disposition, and she delivered on her promise to Vic on day one.  When she came to set up the subcutaneous driver the first time she promised Vic that she would take care of her pain needs.  This she did to the best of her ability.

I blogged on this new lease of life Hospice gave Vic.  We have at least two and a half wonderful months where Vic was able to “live”… go out for milkshakes with her boys.

We have been so blessed.  Six weeks ago we were able to move into an office on the premises of an amazing charity organization called Amcare.  We now have a donated desk, laptop and printer.  We have quite a lot of donated equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers etc.  We only have one dilapidated chair but our work is in people’s homes not in offices!

People have generously donated second-hand clothes which more than provides for the pain medication that is needed to treat our indigent patients.  Through generous donations by a couple of people we have managed to pay Siza’s salary, fuel and cell phone costs.  We have been able to buy a software program that will allow us to invoice the medical aids, of patients, that have terminal care cover.

Today Trix received a phone call from a lady, our of our second-hand clothing benefactors, who asked whether we could meet with her brother….he wants to donate a building to Stepping Stone Hospice!!

Our God is a faithful God.  We have not advertised nor marketed aggressively at all.

I am speechless with the wonder of people’s generosity and love!

Please pray that this will indeed happen!

Vic, your legacy will live on.  Thousands of people will be able to live and die with dignity because you had a dream.  I love you Angel Child.  I know you are our guardian angel!!

HOSPICE BLOGS:–

https://tersiaburger.com/2013/01/03/tomorrow-may-be-better-than-yesterday/

https://tersiaburger.com/2012/12/18/the-right-to-live-with-dignity/

https://tersiaburger.com/2012/11/07/life-is-good-life-is-great/

https://tersiaburger.com/2012/10/15/remission-15-10-2012/

https://tersiaburger.com/2012/10/23/and-hospice-says-go/

https://tersiaburger.com/2012/09/24/mommy-i-thought-i-had-more-time/

Mommy can you feel how sore it is?


Published with Vic’s permission and knowledge.

Hospice has just fitted a subcutaneous driver – again.   Vic’s pain has spiralled out of control over the past couple of days.

Vic was in absolute excruciating pain during the night.  She battled to breath.

“Help me Mommy!  I can’t stand the pain anymore…”

I lay next to her and put constant pressure on the area that hurt most.  It was just below her ribcage – liver.  “Oh Mommy, it is so sore.  Can you feel how sore it is?

As a little girl Vic used to believe that I could “feel” her pain…

“Feel how sore my toe is Mommy…”

As I lay there with my hand on her “sore” I wished with every fibre in my body that I could lay my hand on her sick body and soak up the pain and disease.  It cannot be so I look for a new spot on her bum to stick in a needle.

Vic seems calm now and the pain under control.  She is sleeping peacefully.  She has not vomited since this morning and managed to have a sandwich for lunch.

Please God let the subcutaneous driver work.  Please let the tissue hold up!   Please God!