Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/83690
Care and compassion During 61 years of marriage, John and Lois Wood were always there for each other and this didn't change when John was diagnosed with terminal cancer. While John was going through treatments Lois suffered a broken hip and was unable to care for her husband by herself. Dr. William Cunningham, John's oncologist, referred the Woods to Oxford Hospice. "Our team understands the needs of patients coping with a terminal illness," explains Tresa Marlow, director of Oxford Hospice. "We help patients be as comfortable as possible and help them and their family through this difficult time." "Their services were a relief to me," says Lois. Kim Atkinson, a registered nurse, visited the Woods' house two to three times a week. "My role is to oversee the patient's comfort and communicate the patient's needs to their physician," says Kim. "We are available to offer support to the patient and family 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if needed." A hospice aide helped the Woods with bathing, personal care, laundry and housekeeping. "When you have someone there you can trust, it's such a burden off of you," says Lois, who used their services for nine months. "They understand what you are going through and they were always available to talk to me." When her husband passed away in April, she called Oxford Hospice and they sent a nurse to her home immediately. "They were always here to support me and became part of our family," says Lois. For more information about Oxford Hospice, call 883-7500. Cars for Charity Lois Wood wanted to thank Oxford Hospice for the care they provided her family so she donated her late husband's car. Cars for Charity is a program through the CoxHealth Foundation. You can donate a car, boat, RV or motorcycle as a charitable gift to benefit a CoxHealth program, facility, scholarship or patient service fund. For more information, call 269-7150 or visit coxhealthfoundation.com. __________________________________________ Oxford HealthCare offers support groups for those recovering from the loss of a loved one. For information, call 417/883-7500, extension 3235. __________________________________________ Help your friends and neighbors Volunteering has many benefits, including lowering your stress level, boosting your immune system and providing a sense of accomplishment. At CoxHealth there are many opportunities available. "Our volunteers visit with patients and families, send encouraging notes, prepare meals and help with laundry," says Melissa M. Pamperien, volunteer coordinator at Oxford Hospice. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Oxford HealthCare, call 883-7500, extension 3395. For opportunities at CoxHealth, call 269- 4169 in Springfield, and 417/354-1409 in Monett. You can also find out more at coxhealth.com/volunteers. 14