10 Bringing health care news to your home HOSPICE AT COLUMBUS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ‘ on earth’ When Phyllis Blessen decided not to pursue any more treatment for her stage IV breast cancer, her daughters fully supported her decision. They helped her become established with Columbus Community Hospital’s hospice care in September 2023, and they resolved to enjoy every remaining moment they had with her. The plan was that Blessen’s daughter, Tracy Belitz, would be her primary caregiver as she entered the final stages of her disease. But when Belitz died suddenly in March 2024, Blessen’s two other daughters found themselves at a loss for how they could both comfort and care for their mother. That was when the hospice team members showed just how caring and compassionate they could be. “These ladies rallied around her and loved her through the pain,” said Tonya Dykstra, one of Blessen’s daughters. “Truly, it takes special people to take on this role and help others in their most vulnerable stage.” A transition Hospice is a type of health care that focuses on treating a terminally ill patient’s emotional and spiritual needs, rather than trying to cure their disease. “I think my mom had a really hard time understanding hospice,” said Dykstra. “She thought she was going to die immediately.” Throughout her first six months of hospice, Blessen received regular visits from nurses and Chaplain Mitch Shemek. Her primary nurse was Jill Robak, RN. “Because Phyllis started her hospice process early on, we got that chance to get to know her — and know her likes and dislikes,” Robak said. “We started to develop a rapport and a bond. When patients start hospice early, they trust us when the hard times come. We can prepare them for what to expect.” Blessen did, indeed, trust Robak with her life. “If Jill said it or suggested it, then Mom followed those directions,” said Dykstra. “Mom confided in Jill often about things other than medical needs. Jill became a trusted friend, and a visit that Mom looked forward to weekly." Because Dykstra and her sister, Teresa Sterup, lived out of town, they felt comforted knowing that their mom had people watching out for her well-being. At Christmas, Blessen was snowed in, and Robak got her son and some classmates from his confirmation class to dig her out. Comfort at the end When Belitz died in March, Dykstra immediately called the hospice team to let them know, and they gave Blessen extra attention and love. That was about the time that Blessen’s health took a turn for the worse. At the end of May, Dykstra and Sterup were taking turns visiting their mom every few days because she wasn’t doing well. Robak eventually called Dykstra and told her she thought they were at the beginning of the end. Within a few days, Robak was showing Dykstra how to administer her mother’s pain medications and sedatives. That was on a Friday, and while Robak had personal plans over the weekend, she instructed Dykstra to call the hospice on-call nurse if she needed help before Monday. On Saturday, Blessen couldn’t make it to the bathroom by herself, and Dykstra alone struggled trying to help her. “I just had an emotional breakdown and called hospice oncall,” Dykstra said. “The on-call nurse reassured me, showed us how to move Mom, and ordered equipment to assist in caring for her." Blessen passed away on Tuesday, May 28. In the hours leading up to that time, the hospice staff members supported her daughters by letting them know what Mary Jo "Mitch" Shemek Jill Robak, RN
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