Sharing Linda Wheeler’s story

The Wheelers live in Berwick, Nova Scotia. We’d like to express our sincere gratitude to the Wheeler family for sharing Linda’s story and reminding us how important the gardens will be at our Hospice. 

“Some people think a Hospice is a place where people just go to die. Actually, it is much more than that. A Hospice is a haven where patients are treated with compassion, understanding and dignity. Five years ago, our daughter Linda phoned us from Vancouver with the heart-breaking news that she had been diagnosed with stage four Pancreatic Cancer and had only three months to live – chemotherapy was not an option. At this stage she was most anxious to be accepted at a Hospice.

Soon after she was accepted at the Cottage Hospice in Vancouver, BC. My wife and I along with our two other daughters and granddaughter immediately flew to Vancouver. So began our experience with a Hospice. At first, we did not know what to expect, but our apprehensions were soon overcome after meeting with the staff (Manager, Social Worker and Nurses) and seeing the home-like atmosphere of this Hospice.

So instead of visiting Linda in a sterile hospital environment, we were able to spend our time with her sitting outside on one of the patios, surrounded by lovely gardens. The gardens were important to Linda as she was a Master Gardener with the Master Gardeners Association of BC. It is a well-known fact that gardens promote peace and tranquility.

Not only was the hospice a great comfort to our daughter but also to her loved ones. The staff treated her like family and kept us informed daily of her progress. The staff shared many heart-warming stories with us about former patients and how they helped them through their final journey.

We brought with us to Vancouver a photo album that we had made featuring pictures of Linda and her family throughout her lifetime. This enabled us to share many happy memories and even many laughs.

Sadly, Linda passed away at the end of three weeks. We cannot express strongly enough what a positive difference a Hospice makes in a person’s final days.

We hope people will support this much needed Valley Hospice by donating time, money or garden assistance.

Sincerely, Mick and Betty Wheeler and family”