Raul Jr. was a bit surprised when the Intermountain hospice team showed up to celebrate his arrival.
But Raul had the Provo Homecare Hospice Team on his side and he’d faced serious adversity before. He’d been a paraplegic since he was injured in a car accident about 20 years ago, says Leland Fudge, RN, his hospice nurse. He now suffers from multiple stage-four pressure ulcers, all complications from being paralyzed, Leland says.
Raul’s grandson, Raul Jr., was born in early May but wasn’t able to come home from the hospital until later in the month. His grandfather was waiting. When the day finally came, Raul had trouble describing how happy he was to see Raul Jr. for the first time.
“It was amazing,” he says. “It was unbelievable. Hard to describe. I couldn’t believe it. He’s a month old now and it’s unbelievable.”
Four members of Raul's hospice team pose for a picture with him. They are, from left to right, Kelly Hooton, Marion Johnson, Leland Fudge, and David Dye.
Earlier this month Raul celebrated his achievement with members of his hospice team, including Leland, Kelly Hooton, NP, David Dye, medical social worker, Mike Jenkins, chaplain, and Marion Johnson, volunteer coordinator.
“I honestly didn’t believe he would live to see this baby born, but he did,” says Kelly, who’s helped Raul find the right pain medications as he struggled to meet his goal. “Our team just wanted to celebrate this special milestone for him and his family and recognize that for him.”
When they arrived to celebrate with Raul, he was holding his grandson on his lap, feeding him. Leland says the two appear to have a special bond.
“Loretta, the baby’s grandmother, was telling me last week she’s jealous because she’ll pick up her grandson and she has to be bouncing him or walking around with him to calm him but if Raul’s holding him, he’s fine,” Leland says.
Leland Fudge, RN, says it is hard when a patient dies but it is rewarding to know he's helped people in their time of need.
The team came bearing gifts which included two blankets with the image of Raul and Raul Jr. on them and molds that had been made of the baby’s fist and foot and a mold of Raul’s hand clasped with Loretta’s hand.
At the celebration Marion noticed the deep connection Leland has with Raul.
“Leland knelt down at Raul's bedside and smiled at him like he was greeting an old friend,” Marion says. “The interaction between the two was one of genuine human connection. That’s what hospice is all about.”
“Leland is quick with a gentle laugh that makes people feel as if he is sharing an experience with them and instantly conveys he’s a friend who understands,” Mike says. “His compassion is genuine, and people can feel that.”
Kelly Hooton, NP, says hospice care helps people spend their final days at home with family and friends.
Leland says Raul is very private and a man of few words but Leland could tell he was happy because he was beaming throughout the visit.
“I think he was a little overwhelmed with all the attention but he was grateful, above all, for the thought and care and the gifts and the love he felt,” he says.
Raul says the care he’s received from the hospice team has been great.
“I appreciate every single one of them,” he says.
Leland says social workers or chaplains often set goals with their patients once they’re on hospice care.
“It helps them tie up any loose ends and do the things they feel they want to accomplish,” Leland says. “Some want to just leave behind a legacy or something meaningful.”
Raul Zapata set a goal to meet his grandson before he died and says it was "unbelievable" when he finally did.
Leland, who has coordinated Raul’s care, says it is difficult when one of his clients finally does die even though he knows it’s coming.
“You feel like you become part of the family and it definitely does hurt, but it's also extremely rewarding to know you're able to be a support and to help them become comfortable in that very vulnerable time,” he says.
Leland says because of the virus he now must wear protective gear when he makes a visit.
“I think it does feel like you’re putting some distance between you and your patients, but I think the patients understand and they’re grateful you’re taking measures to protect them and not share germs from other patients,” he says.
Raul's hospice team brought him a special blanket and a mold of his grandson's fist and foot.
Kelly leads the hospice team, which operates out of Utah Valley Hospital, and serves Raul and his family. She says many people often prefer to spend time at home in hospice care instead of their final days in the hospital, especially now when the number of people who can come and visit is limited because of the COVID-19 virus.
Leland says Raul was raised in Acapulco, Mexico, and would like to make a trip home to see his family before he dies but lacks the funding and resources to make the trip. Leland says if any have connections who could make that happen or want to contribute to help him reach one more goal, they should contact him at Leland.Fudge@imail.org.