In October, my fellow Lion Angie Kennedy and I took on the task of co-program chairmen for the Kingfisher Lions Club. When I reached out to my friend Chrystal Caddell about speaking about her job as a hospice liaison, she came through for us.
In my introduction, I explained that I had the privilege of following her older sons around the football field with my camera. Eventually, the pictures turned to drawings and memories of their journey playing for Hennessey. I confessed I often drove home giggling about some ornery antics and thankful I didn’t have to parent them. We did a bit of reminiscing during lunch.
Chrystal shared with the group that she grew up in Ames, Oklahoma. She raised her four children in Hennessey and worked many jobs. She shared that she came to be a liaison for Complete OK because of her mother’s cancer journey and being placed on hospice.
Chrystal came with a message. She wasn’t there to talk about the company itself. She wanted to stress the importance of looking into hospice care sooner rather than later. When comfort becomes the goal versus a cure, the focus shifts from quantity to quality. Doctors usually refer patients to hospice when they have six months or less to live.
Hospice provides many different services, including nursing, spiritual support and social work. Not only do they offer support for their patients, but they also extend support to the patients’ families. Chrystal encouraged everyone to interview different hospice companies. Get your information before you need it. This helps support the patient and take the fear out of the journey.
On a personal note, I walked with my parents during my dad’s cancer journey. I will be forever appreciative of the hospice caretakers. I watched them care for my father, but they also did everything they could to ease our anxiety. They walked with us through a difficult time and showed up to celebrate my dad’s life.
I can’t remember a lot about the day of my father’s funeral, but I remember seeing their faces. One last time, they offered us quiet support and respect for our loved one.
Chrystal knows end-of-life care is not a conversation anyone wants to have, but having knowledge and knowing hospice care is available will help when that time comes. She knows there are many questions about hospice care and will help you navigate the journey.
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