On August 9, the seventh annual Go Hawaiian for Hospice event will honor the family of Vicki Ridl of Bowman, North Dakota. Victoria passed away in January while in the compassionate care of Sanford Hospice Bismarck.
Last winter, a sudden decline in health led Joan Patrick and her mother, Vicki, to the ER where doctors suggested it was time for hospice.
Just a few days earlier, Vicki came to the decision at a doctor’s appointment that it was time to put everything in God’s hands. She was ready to stop taking the many medications that were not improving her declining health. Family members were taken aback to see an even more drastic decline in Vicki’s condition the days after medications were stopped. Those changes prompted the visit to the ER where Vicki and Joan were introduced to Sanford Hospice.
Joan and her family members say they can’t imagine the last seven weeks of Vicki’s life without Sanford Hospice.
“Because of Sanford Hospice, our family can say the last of mom’s time with us was a beautiful and positive lifelong journey,” Joan said.
Vicki loved the hospice gals that came to see her, and Joan herself can still remember the names of her care team and has since stayed in contact with them. The Sanford Hospice team not only helped Vicki along her journey, but they also helped her family prepare as well.
“They guided us along and helped provide our family with peace when it was time to let go. Our family will be forever grateful for that support,” Joan said. “The team continues to stay in touch to this day, letting us know that they are there for us and available to help us navigate that journey we will all take one day.”
Vicki passed away on Jan. 24, 2022. Her family requested that memorials be made to Sanford Hospice so that other families may experience the gift of compassionate care that brought them such comfort and peace.
Vicki’s family firmly believes that any family experiencing the end-of-life journey with the care and support of Sanford Hospice is truly blessed.
“I’m forever grateful,” Joan said. “I don’t know what we would have done without them…words can’t describe the importance of having professional staff members there for you around the clock. Our community is truly blessed to have the caring staff that Sanford Hospice provides to help patients feel as comfortable as possible; in addition to the emotional support they also provide to both patients and family members.”
Vicki’s family is still grieving the loss of their mother. Joan said she thinks of her mom every day. Last week, she saw a beautiful butterfly and “knew it was her mom’s way of letting her know her presence is near and she continues to watch over us.”
Go Hawaiian for Hospice
This summer, Vicki’s family will be honored at the seventh annual Go Hawaiian for Hospice event presented by Choice Bank to benefit Sanford Hospice Bismarck. 100% of funds raised through the Sanford Health Foundation will stay local to support comprehensive hospice care and services.
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