hospice Archives - Sherri Connell

I used to tell my mom, “I love you to infinity” and she would reply “and BEYOND” (and visa versa). I will cherish this sweet voice mail from my mom forever!

My mom was a loving, caring mom to my sister, brother and me! Though we all had challenges in this life, we remained very close, good friends! My mom struggled with chronic illness since the early 90’s.

In 2011, she was diagnosed with Lung Cancer! Then my brother passed away about 10 months later. The whole family has been beyond devastated! Then my sister got Cancer and went through a horrible battle. We hung onto each other tightly, as all three of us were grieving and fighting for our lives!

When Mom was first diagnosed, she was was given a year to live, IF she lived through the surgery and treatment (which we know without a doubt she would not have). We agreed none of us were ready to lose her to surgery and treatments and life in a nursing home, so we chose to take some alternative measures. Mom didn’t want my sister and me to lose her after we lost my brother, so she fought hard!

For 5 years, she had many close calls, she was unable to care for her own daily needs for months at a time, had lots of visits to the ER and help with rides, shopping, cooking and cleaning. Thankfully, she did have small windows of times in between her treatments when she could heat up her own food and drive a little bit. The last 3 1/2 years were extremely difficult, painful and full of constant crisis, close calls, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted livings and finally in Hospice.

This recording was from when she was in Porter Hospice for 4 1/2 months. We are so thankful she had a couple months there where she was really enjoying life the best she could, sitting in her favorite place in the living room and enjoying a beautiful garden right outside her doors! This voicemail was left when we had just had the alarms on her chair turned off for a month and she was FREE to move about in her room! She was puttering around, organizing things and talking on the phone. I am so grateful for the short time my mom had to enjoy her last days at Porter, before she had to go!

Soon after this voicemail, she went down hill. Below is a short video of us sharing our “Infinity and Beyond” just a few days before she passed on.

Mom, you fought an incredible fight and have suffered so long. I miss you beyond words and I LOVE YOU TO INFINITY AND BEYOND! Forever and ever and ever!

Carole at Porter Hospice Residences at the Johnson Center

Mom got to see the waterfall up close! She was so happy!

We finally got my Mom, Carole, outside for a few minutes to see the waterfall in the garden! To look at her in this picture, you would have no idea how much she has been through and how much she deeply suffers daily. But she asked for a little lipstick and flashed a quick smile so we could capture the happiness in her heart … a photo I will cherish for many years to come!

It has been a very arduous road, as my mom has battled lung cancer for eight years! The past couple of years have been a formidable and agonizing fight, with many close calls and crisis after crisis. But now she faces the final chapter. Please pray she does not suffer much more in this life, before the Lord takes her home.

Thank you, Porter Hospice At The Johnson Center, for loving my mom and making her feel so special and important in the last few pages of her life here on earth!

Everyone has been so caring, helpful and amazing! My mom is finally at peace, knowing she is not alone, because not only does she have her family and friends, but now she also has her Porter Hospice Team, who have become her family, too! This is a gift in which we will be forever grateful!

After seeing the waterfall, Mom is sound asleep!

It takes very strong, yet compassionate people to work in a Hospice environment. May God bless you and your families for the time, sacrifice and heartache you all face daily. We are so very honored and thankful to have our mom in your care!