I am a Bernese Mountain Dog named Risotto Portabella Tinydancer, “Riz” for short. I lived with my owners for almost 13 years before my body just stopped working. I went from palliative to hospice care in the spring of 2021. At the beginning of my last 3 months of life I traveled across the country with… Continue reading Riz’s Heart Song
(Keisha's farewell message to the other students in her UVM End-of-Life Doula class. Shared with permission.) My name is LaKeisha Lay, I am 46 years old and in 2016 I was diagnosed with a rare cancer called Mycosis Fungoides aka Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma. Its a blood cancer that affects that skin. In 2017, I was put on… Continue reading My Story, My Journey by Keisha
Children are naturally curious. Sometimes they ask BIG questions. I did. When I was 6 or 7, I asked my grandmother if she was going to die. Just like that. Clear out of the blue. She told me she would (“someday”) and that she wasn't afraid. She had "lived a good life." This clearly left… Continue reading Tips for Talking with Kids about Loss
Allyship is a hallmark of doula care. Doulas provide inclusive, compassionate care. A doula will NOT disrespect a client on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other factor. Today marks the first day of… Continue reading Allyship
“I’m alive,” my hospice client answers after I ask him how he is today. I find myself at a crossroads. Do I take an easy out or lean in? I could keep it light and respond with a smile and some humor, e.g., “I can see that.” Or, I could ask if there’s more he… Continue reading Don’t Skirt the Serious Stuff
Francesca Lynn Arnoldy 