Hospice
of Southern Illinois Homerun
“All
Good Things Come With Fredbird”
Fredbird arrived at Patsy’s home on Friday, June 13, 2014.
Although Friday the 13th is usually recognized as a superstitious day,
this day definitely wasn’t an unlucky one and will be considered “super” for this
patient and family who will always cherish the memories Fredbird made in their
home that day.
Hospice of Southern Illinois’ patient,
Patsy, has been less responsive in the recent weeks. There is a joy of summer
that still excites her, St. Louis Cardinals Baseball, as many who live in the
metro-east can relate. Patsy’s caregivers and hospice interdisciplinary team
learned about her love of Cardinals Baseball during their visits to her home
and conversations with her children, noticing it was one thing that would bring
her joy. In an attempt to bring some fun-loving excitement which the family
hasn’t seen lately due to caregiver stress, Patsy’s terminal illness, and the
inconsistencies of day-to-day living, the employees at Hospice of Southern
Illinois reached out to Fredbird, who
without words, said it all!
He was welcomed with a yard
sign created by Patsy’s granddaughter and friend and a warm, yet quiet family
in the living room, for Patsy did not know who was visiting that day. Patsy’s
daughter had told her that she was getting a special surprise visitor that day,
but she wouldn’t say who. As Patsy patiently waited for this “super” surprise
guest, everyone’s excitement was building because we all knew what was about to
happen. 
Fredbird entered the kitchen
where Patsy was waiting. Her face was in total shock. She had no idea what to
say or how to respond to this 6’ 3”, red bird character we all know and love!
He instantly was able to make her smile with a, “Whoot woo,” and boy did she
blush. It was so beautiful to see her eyes light up and joy in her face. He proceeded
to serenade her, dance with her, and shake his tail feather at her. Fredbird
decided there was not enough laughing and decided to go through the pantry,
gulp some milk, and share a round of high fives with Patsy, the family, and the
Hospice of Southern Illinois team.
The volume in the house then
exploded. All stresses and illness at that moment were nonexistent. Everyone
was laughing, taking photos, and shaking a tail feather. “I have never seen anyone
turn a room so fast. It was an epic moment to capture and moment to
experience,” explained Christine Litteken, Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Print
and Social Media Coordinator, who was taking photos. Fredbird turned his
attention back to his guest of honor to give her one final kiss before he left.
Of course he couldn’t leave without a bang. In a cabinet he found a blow horn
which a family member blew his way. It knocked him off his feet as he stumbled
down the hall and out the door leaving us all with a smile and memory to
cherish in our hearts forever. As a Hospice of Southern Illinois’ employee, Kim
Oplet mentioned when she saw the photos, “All good things come with Fredbird.”
A few days later some Hospice
of Southern Illinois’ employees went back to deliver photos from the day to Patsy
and her family. The same joy was reignited from Friday as she was sitting in
her room waiting for the game to start. We knew it was a hospice homerun! With
Fredbird’s help, we were able to eliminate all stress, pain, and worries in
that moment; give the family a memorable day together; give our patient, Patsy,
the experience of a lifetime that few get to have.
That night the Cardinals played
the Nationals with a 1-0 victory. We all know that Patsy’s love for the
Cardinals, especially Fredbird, Yadier Molina and Matt Holiday, helped play a
part in the win that night. A special thank you goes to the St. Louis
Cardinals, Fredbird, and his team for the above-and-beyond effort that impacted
someone’s life at such an important and critical time. That day he was a vision
of our mission, to enhance the quality of
life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness. It
meant more to them and us than he will ever know.
