Our stories about meaningful experiences are written as they unfold. Therefore, most stories are in the present tense. Some of the patients in these stories are no longer with us. They, and their families, gave us permission to share their experience with you. For those who have since passed, we share these in their memories with deep appreciation for what they have taught us about life and living.
Rob Riddell, a cancer survivor, had a good life: a job he loved, faith and optimism in spades, and a large, happy family.
In 2016, at the young age of 54, the cancer returned. Rob was undaunted. Despite a poor prognosis, he felt blessed to have lived six years past his last bout with cancer.
We cared for Rob at home. Then, in October, he was admitted to our Compassionate Care Center for symptom management. His large family was a constant presence.
As he thought about how important his family was to him, Rob made a special request: one more Christmas celebration with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
“I want them to have one more Christmas with all of us together,” he told us. “It’s my gift to these grandbabies.”
Our staff started to plan. But, just a few days later, Rob declined rapidly. We realized we had hours, not weeks, to make this happen.
We found donors and volunteers to help. We were able to source a Christmas tree with decorations and place it in his room. A staff member knew someone locally who plays Santa at events, and he agreed to help us. A local non-profit organization donated two toys for each grandchild, which we wrapped and placed under the tree. Rob told us what he hoped to give to each family member, and we found those gifts, too. Staff and volunteers donated decorations and food.
That evening, all 11 grandchildren gathered around Rob’s bed and sang carols with him. The tree cast a warm glow as gifts were exchanged and the family opened the presents Rob requested we find for them. Santa visited with every child and grandchild and treated some of the adult family members to a Christmas waltz. Christmas music played in the background as the family celebrated together.
For Rob’s wife Sandra, this special Christmas is a memory she treasures.
“It meant so much to us, knowing it meant so much to him,” she says. “We hadn’t even thought that far ahead. But, he had. He knew he wouldn’t be with us by late December, so he made sure he had one more Christmas with all of us. It was kind of a closure for him and it was so special for us.”
To watch Rob’s story, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2QRm8YoUR8
How can you honor life during National Hospice & Palliative Care Month? Visit the #WeHonorLife campaign page to learn about all the ways you can help, from volunteering and shopping to helping us increase access to specialized care for the seriously ill and their families. Questions? Contact us at hospice@hospicecp.org or 859-986-1500 or visit our website.
Hospice Care Plus empowers those we serve to enjoy the highest quality of life, respecting their values, beliefs, needs, and goals through specialized care, education, resources, and grief support.
Our Service Area:
Our Home Hospice and Home Palliative Care programs serve you, wherever you call home, in the Kentucky counties of Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle.
Our inpatient care facility, the Compassionate Care Center, and administrative offices are located in Richmond, Kentucky.
Recent News:
Print & Online Resources for Caregivers
Kroger Community Rewards Makes Giving Easy
News & Events
Gala on Derby Eve: Reservations Open
Your “place to be on Derby Eve” is back for its 12th year: The Gala on Derby Eve. The black-tie optional benefit gala brings together 200-plus guests in Richmond each year to celebrate Kentucky’s Derby tradition while raising funds for Hospice Care Plus. The 2015 Gala will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the…
You’re Invited: May Memorial Service
On Tuesday, May 19, Hospice Care Plus staff will join with families of hospice patients to remember and honor loved ones. The annual Hospice Care Plus May Memorial Service is at 6:00 p.m. on May 19 at Eastside Community Church in Richmond. A reception will follow, with refreshments provided by hospice volunteers. During the service,…
Hearts for Hospice in February!
Local businesses are helping the community show its appreciation for hospice by taking part in the annual Hearts for Hospice campaign. For the month of February, customers at participating businesses can donate one dollar or more to have their name, or the name of a loved one, displayed on a hospice heart inside the business.…
To Show Other Kids You Understand
This doesn’t exactly fit our bucket-list-story mold, but we couldn’t help but share it. As we’ve said before, most of our bucket-list wishes come to us in response to the question, “What’s most important to you today?” We didn’t ask that question of these teenagers, but still they told us how important it was to…