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Jane Harris, right, a nurse at MidPeninsula Hospice, hugs Alice Le, whose father died of cancer at the hospice last year.

Hospice gives dignity to dying

By Katherine Petersen

Half the patients who seek care from MidPeninsula Hospice don't live more than 15 days. Canh Le received treatment and support for nearly five months.

"He was an exception to the rule," said Jane Harris, a nurse and hospice care manager with the agency, which is owned by El Camino Hospital.

Canh's daughter, Alice Le, turned to Harris--one of 15 nurses at MidPeninsula Hospice--for help when her father, who had been diagnosed with cancer, had only six months to live. Alice and her husband were going to need help. They both hold full-time jobs and have two young daughters.

"I brought him home to live with me, which was difficult for him because he'd been living on his own and was so strong and independent," Alice said. "It upset me too because he was my friend as well as my father, and I wasn't ready to let him go."

From the moment Alice met Harris, she knew she had someone to lean on. She described Harris, who has worked at MidPeninsula Hospice for the past 12 years, as warm, professional and compassionate.

"I tried to change my father's diet because of his high blood pressure, but Jane helped me understand that it might be better to let him do what he wanted," Alice said. "She helped us through a difficult time with her expertise in nursing and her mental support."

Harris visited the family about three times a week and was always just a phone call away. Canh opened up to her easily, expressing more concern for Alice than himself, she said. "He kept wishing he would hurry up and go."

Harris works closely with a hospice team that includes a social worker, a home health aide, a chaplin, the hospice medical director and volunteers. The agency served more than 1,000 hospice patients last year.

Alice is one of many people who are grateful for Harris' commitment to hospice care. Harris, who specializes in pain management, received a One From the Heart award for her accomplishments in this field Oct. 23 at an annual MidPeninsula HomeCare and Hospice breakfast. The awards are presented to individuals and organizations who have made enduring contributions to the hospice and the quality of life of terminally ill patients. This year's event also celebrated the agency's 20th anniversary.

"I want to think all our staff is as capable as Jane is, but in fact, she stands out among the others and is known for her expertise in pain management, patient care, and listening style with patients and families," said Tim Bowen, director of hospice services. "I think all of that makes her one of the most unique employees here."

Harris, who used to work in hospitals, switched to hospice care because nurses have more control over pain management.

"Pain medication is always an issue," she said. "In hospitals, there is fear of drug dependency. In hospice care, I am allowed to listen to the patient and make changes if something's not working. I had to learn a lot to get my way with doctors." Harris teaches fellow nurses and physicians about controlling pain.

Harris believes the worst part is over for patients when they turn to hospice care. "It's very sad, but it's not depressing because there's so much that can be done to help the patient and family," she said.

Patients are eligible for hospice if they have a terminal illness and have a prognosis of six months or less to live, Harris said.

"It's important for people to contact hospices sooner so they don't have to make rushed decisions, and their loved ones can be more comfortable," she said. Both Harris and Bowen would like to see patients' time in hospice care increase.

Alice and the hospice team moved Canh to a private room in a nursing home for the last 24 hours of his life, but he was not aware of the transfer, Harris said.

Canh spent his last five months comfortably with family and friends, thanks to Harris and her team, Alice said.

"It's a hard but fulfilling job," Harris said. "You put in a lot, but the returns are exponential."

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, November 12, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.