b'Pictured (left to right): David Lang; Emily Shaw, CNA; and Katelynn Kelleher, RNall the comforts of homeIts been said that home is where the heart is. If you askThe doctors, nurses, and support staff David Lang of Jaffrey, hell tell you its also at Monadnockcould not have been more responsive Community Hospital. and caring. David Lang, Jaffrey Davids wife Pamela had been battling Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) when sheAware of Pamelas wish to spend her final days atsuddenly lost consciousness at home. home, MCH arranged for her to return home underthe guidance of a home hospice program. In severe respiratory distress, she was rushed to MCH and put on life support. After a week in intensive care, After we arrived home, she had a good meal, watched she started rehab with the hope of becoming sufficientlysome TV, went to bed, and never woke up, says David. ambulatory to return home. She died next to me in bed, a peaceful ending to a wonferful life and a difficult disease.Pamela showed some improvement, but her oxygen level was quite low due to the extent of lung deterioration.David says he is forever grateful to MCH for theirEventually it became obvious that her life expectancyefforts during his wifes illness. could be measured in days or even hours.The doctors, nurses, and support staff could notThe Hospital had allowed me to sleep in an adjoininghave, been more responsive and caring. I hope the bed for more than two weeks rather than putting community realizes what a significant asset wePam in a separate Hospice unit, recalls David.have, and continues to give MCH the support it needsThey also provided meals to me, a service above in these challenging times.and beyond what I would have expected.4'