I will never forget such compassion & graciousness. Thank you

To the editor,

They say it takes a village to raise a child. I find the village is also most important during the final stages of one’s life on this earth. From VNA, Hospice, the WLNH Children’s Auction, Hearing Enhancement Center in Gilford, Roberts Laundry of Belmont and MetroCast, I am most grateful for all their support throughout my Mom’s passing. This is how it played out:

When my 83 year old mother received the diagnosis of bladder cancer last June, she knew her tired body wouldn’t stand up to the radiation and chemo as it did 27 years ago with breast cancer. She gave it a shot anyway, I think for us, her four daughters. Two weeks into the radiation treatments it became apparent that the treatment would probably kill her faster than the disease did so she stopped at that time. The VNA transferred her home support over to hospice care. That very same night, a hospice nurse came over to our house and “accepted” her into hospice’s care. The social worker came the next day and when she left mom had a new living will and A DNR (do not resuscitate) order. The physical therapist had a commode, a walker and a hospital bed delivered along with a med-alert was installed. Hospice set up a team for mom. A nurse team leader, LNAs and a volunteer came to sit with Mom a few times a week as I continued to work. Spiritual support from both St. Joseph’s for Mom and John Davies for us continues to bring comfort to us remaining on this earth.

It is said that the hearing is the last sense to leave a person as they die. My Mom was extremely hard of hearing and her hearing aids no longer worked. I saw a certificate for $500 on the WLNH big board toward hearing aids from the Hearing Enhancement Center in Gilford. I diligently watched the board for the next few days to make sure my bid was the highest. Within five minutes of the board closing I was out-bid. I was devastated. I called the auction, explained my situation and wanted to know if any more certificates were going to post on that board during the rest of the auction. They said they would check and call me in the morning. The next morning the auction called me. There were no more certificates that would be posted for bidding but they gave me a name and the number for the Hearing Enhancement Center in Gilford. When I called them, they offered me a “loaner” set of hearing aids that Mom could use until she passed. This generous offer was huge to me and my sisters. It gave us comfort to know we could still communicate with mom when she was no longer able to respond.

The type of cancer mom had generated a huge amount of laundry. Roberts Laundry in Belmont went above and beyond to make sure the laundry was disinfected, cleaned and always neatly folded. Their team leader Patti always had a comforting hello and hug waiting for me when I came to pick the laundry up.

Most importantly, I want to express my thanks to my employer MetroCast during this emotional time of my life. The concern and support from management and my peers was second to none when it came time to stay home during mom’s final last days and still continues as I proceed through the grieving process.

For all of the above, I will never forget such compassion and graciousness.

Ellie Malone

Laconia