“I am sorry. You have stage 4 pancreatic cancer. It’s everywhere. You can leave the hospital today.” My father heard this diagnostic after spending a night in the hospital. They gave him a prescription for pain medication, a few contact numbers and let him go.

He could not take care of himself alone. The pain medication created problems with his memory. He almost did an overdose because he did not remember when he took his last dose. He was a proud man and did not want his children taking care of his personal needs.

So, he decided to go to the Carefor Cornwall Hospice to DIE. However, he learned a different version of this reality. He learned that he came to the hospice to LIVE the last days of his life.

Nurse Michèle welcomed him in his big bedroom with a patio door so large that you could bring the bed outside (if desired). From his home, he brought an outdoor rocking chair, seeds for the birds, flowers, solar lanterns, books, flashlights, wine, beer, etc. He even brought his pocketknife (that got confiscated lol). He enjoyed chatting with nurses, staff, volunteers and doctors.

His last days were happy days: He said: “Look, I can still do wheelies with my walker while having oxygen delivered through my nose…Hee-haw!”

Thank you, Carefor Cornwall Hospice, and thank you Dad for showing us how to LIVE a full life, up until the end. We love you so much! xox

– From the Mainville family