A Healing Story

“I hope that everyone who is struggling with the loss of a loved one will reach out for the help available at Hospice of Palm Beach County...”

– Valencia Campbell

When Valencia Campbell was twenty years old, she and her husband, Cornel, had a beautiful baby boy named Jonathan. Life was full and happy for the young couple as they were working, going to college and raising their son. When he was just six months old, Valencia discovered that she was pregnant again, this time with a little girl.

Jonathan and Kayla

There was something very special about Kayla. No one in the Campbells’ large, extended family or circle of friends had known a baby quite like her. She seemed intently aware of people, paying close attention to them and engaging them. “She was like a little princess who attracted everyone around her, and they responded to her with so much love,” said Valencia.

Yet, life was about to take a tragic turn for the Campbells. When she was just three months old, Kayla died very suddenly from a traumatic medical event. As one might expect, her death was a devastating shock to the family and very difficult for them to accept. Bereft members of the family reacted differently – some withdrew, others cried continuously, and still others functioned in a haze of grief.

In the midst of gathering her bearings, Valencia had decisions to make. Her semester at Palm Beach State College was about to begin. Now one month after her daughter’s death, Valencia had become extremely anxious and depressed, rarely leaving the house. She made the decision to continue with her education as planned, hoping that focusing on something outside of her pain would help break the downward spiral of depression and anxiety she was experiencing.

At school, she attended a class on grief, hoping that it would offer some relief. Someone attending that class recommended that she contact Hospice of Palm Beach County for professional bereavement counseling. She called that day, and it was a call that would change her life.

“If it were not for Hospice of Palm Beach County’s bereavement program, I don’t know if I’d be here today,” confided Valencia. “I felt like I was drowning in the sadness. I just couldn’t accept that my baby wasn’t coming back.” Working with a bereavement counselor, Valencia learned to cope with her stress and depression. She gradually learned to accept Kayla’s death and found ways to deal with it. She also came to understand that everyone deals with grief differently, which helped her family’s healing process.

“Now I know that Kayla is part of me - and that comfort will never go away. Feelings of loss come and go, but I have healthy ways of coping with them,” Valencia continued. “I hope that everyone who is struggling with the loss of a loved one will reach out for the help available at Hospice of Palm Beach County. It can make such a difference if you allow them to help you. I am not unique. If I can do it, anyone can.”

Valencia, Jonathan, and Cornel

Today, Valencia feels like a blessed person. In appreciation of the support of Hospice of Palm Beach County, her professors, family and friends, she set the goal of becoming a social worker to help others. Now, two years after Kayla’s death, she will complete her bachelor’s degree at FAU in 2012 and immediately pursue a Master’s in Social Work. She plans to get her doctorate. “I could never repay everyone who has helped me. Their efforts have shaped my determination and success today. No matter what, I promised myself I would never give up,” added Valencia.

When the rest of the world is asleep… we’re there

What a great way to describe our staff. When the world is asleep, most of our patients lie awake. Pondering life. Scared of what is to come. With worries of what will happen to their families after they are gone to some deeper fears, our night shift has the opportunity to provide a shoulder to cry on for our patients. “With less hustle and bustle than the daytime, our night shift staff really has the opportunity to connect with our patients,” said Bill Rascoe, Regional Manager – WPB Central Area. “They listen to them, as a friend, sometimes even sharing their own feelings. Most importantly though, they create a bond with a patient or family member that many are thankful for at such a difficult time in their lives.”

Virginia Marczak, RN, Annie Walker, RN, and Emma McMillian, CNA

Here at Hospice of Palm Beach County we are lucky to have some of the most incredible staff. We have the most compassionate, autonomous, empathetic nurses to care for our patients and families at the time of their greatest need. Whether it is just a small gesture like stopping by to say hello, or being somebody to talk to, every thing our staff does makes a huge impact on a patient’s well being and a family’s comfort at such a difficult time. And, as the rest of the world sleeps, our night shift keeps everything running smoothly. “We are incredibly lucky to have such great teams that work the night shifts,” said Cheri Larese, Inpatient Supervisor at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. “I really respect the work our night shift does. They have less resources to work with, yet they make sure everything is in perfect order.”

“I have worked the night shift for many years,” said Barbara Cameron, Charge Nurse at the Gerstenberg Inpatient Unit. “I feel it gives me a better opportunity to connect with my patients. Though we still have a lot of work to do, we don’t have to worry about meals or visitors. We really have the opportunity to have a conversation with our patients.”

Being a part of the night shift also gives staff the opportunity to serve as the eyes and ears for the rest of the care team. They can really monitor the patients while making them feel safe, feel cared for and feel like they truly have friends here. And, though everyone has a different perspective on how they can help, everyone does make a difference.

William Lazo, RN, Dora Berrio, RN, Yveline Jean Louis, CNA

“The Bethesda night team has been here for many years,” said John Panico, Patient Care Supervisor at the Bethesda Unit. “All of them truly love their jobs and know how to handle any situation. I am proud of the team I have in place. They are very autonomous. And, even though they have no supervisor on duty with them, they use their experience to troubleshoot and solve any problem that may arise.”

So, the next time you lie awake at night, unable to sleep, think of how great our after-hours staff is. They are an invaluable part of our team and we are incredibly lucky to have each and every one of them.

Jennifer Martinez
Communications Manager