Comfort in the final days
Although she’s been a nurse for almost 19 years, it wasn’t until the death of her father several years ago that Mary Lynne Berg considered working in a hospice. But five years ago, Berg became an outpatient case manager at Sacred Journey Hospice, a job that takes her to the besides of patients in their homes.
“It was a fate thing,” she said. “My father was one of the first patients at Sacred Journey and I knew that was where I wanted to work.”
Many caregivers find it hard to work with terminally ill patients, Berg said. It’s not unusual for her patients to be given six months or less to live.
But she finds it rewarding to help make patients’ last days as comfortable as possible, as well as being there to support family members.
Working in such a personal setting has given Berg the chance to open her heart — and frequently her arms — to patients, their families and their friends.
“I like that you do wind up developing personal relationships,” Berg said. “At one time, nursing was about staying detached and professional, but this is a job where you have to be able to put your emotions in with the family and patients.
“If you’re not truly concerned or compassionate, they can sense that. It helps them know you really care about them.”
Kelly Prescott credited Berg with showing exceptional compassion through the death of her 22-year-old son.
“She always listened to us, never making us feel like we didn’t have a clue,” Prescott said. “She has called to check on things, even on her day off. She opened her heart and arms to our entire family, showing care and concern for whatever circumstance came along.”
In the time she’s been part of the Sacred Journey staff, every day is different, Berg said.
“That is one of the greatest things about this job,” she said. “I love the uniqueness, the never knowing what you’re going to come across each day with each patient.”
