Dear East End Hospice,
September 14 marked one month without Vineeta. When our EEH social worker, Nicole, called to check-in on me last week, it got me thinking about the time we spent under your care. I know that Vineeta was glad that East End Hospice gave her the chance to enjoy the people, places, and things she loved most in life. You gave us so many good days, the days out on the boat with friends and family, which she loved so much (pictured).
Vineeta was diagnosed with cancer, at 51, in 2014. We’ve been treasuring the good days ever since. Like the day last year when we danced together at our son Liam and daughter-in-law Maria’s wedding. But more recently, we ran out of treatment options. Vineeta was ready to “go to the light,” and you helped us on our journey.
Vineeta spent a few days at the Kanas Center in mid-July, where your team helped her feel well enough to return to the home we’ve shared for nearly thirty years. Everyone at EEH supported our goal of Vineeta going home and gave us the resources to make it happen. There were visits from nurses to help manage Vineeta’s pain and symptoms. Nicole spent hours with us – by phone and at our home – helping us prepare while also encouraging us to enjoy the time we had together. Your Chaplain, Pastor Bob, helped us accept that each of us was losing our soul mate. In a nod to her childhood in India, Aimee and Vineeta talked about Hare Krishna during her sound therapy and reiki sessions.
For a few weeks, we were home together, not worrying about appointments, medications, or the day-to-day of cancer treatment. Then in the end, Vineeta needed to be back at the Kanas Center. Friends and family visited often. I stayed with Vineeta day and night, which was so important to us to be together. You prepared us for her transition, and my bereavement counseling has helped so much.
For a few weeks, we were home together not worrying about appointments, medications, or the day-to-day of cancer treatment. Then in the end, Vineeta needed to be back at the Kanas Center. Friends and family visited often. I stayed with Vineeta day and night, which was so important to us to be together. You prepared us for her transition, and my bereavement counseling has helped so much.
With gratitude,
Mark Peters
