The signs weren’t obvious at first.
When my husband Eiad began losing weight, we chalked it up to changes in his diet. The eczema was the heat of summer. His back pain and tiredness was unusual, but not alarming – we were getting older, after all.
By the time Eiad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he had less than a year to live.
Nothing can prepare you for that kind of heartbreak. Your entire world changes in an instant, all the plans you had for the future taken away. I didn’t know then just how important end-of-life care would become to us. Now, I’m so grateful for the support my family found at Margaret Bahen Hospice.
It was impossible to imagine life without Eiad. We were high school sweethearts who had just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. We met on a beach as teenagers and build a life filled with family and travel. We had raised two children together, spending the winter and summer enjoying snow and water sports together. We were each other’s rock.
Eiad laughed and loved easily. He was a steady presence that so many considered to be their closest friend – so seeing him transformed by pain was heartbreaking. When his condition became too complex to manage at home, we initially sought care at the hospital. As it became clear Eiad was reaching his final days, we were transferred to Margaret Bahen Hospice.
Things there were so different. Everyone was warm and welcoming. At Margaret Bahen Hospice, Eiad wasn’t just a resident – he was a person. As his family, we were given everything we needed to just focus on being present with him. The ten days Eiad spend in hospice were surprisingly peaceful. Our children and I were able to stay with him the entire time.
One day, when we thought it may be nearing the end, more than a dozen of us were gathered around Eiad’s bed. He woke up suddenly, more alert than he’d been in weeks. That was such a special afternoon. Eiad was able to speak to each person there privately, sharing his love and saying a proper goodbye. Later, we had a pizza party with him out on the patio.
Those are the moment of unexpected beauty that really stick with you. I’ll carry that afternoon with me forever, and Margaret Bahen Hospice made the space for that to happen.
I hope you’ll join me and support Margaret Bahen Hospice by donating today. This home away from home provides not only medical end-of-life care but also comfort, compassion, and a sense of peace to families. Together, we can enable families to focus on love instead of logistics.
If you would like to support York Region residents, please consider making a donation using the form below.