No One Should Face the End of Life Alone

Ann Nelson, an active 89-year-old with terminal cancer, shares how Kansas City Hospice helps her live fully. After stopping chemo, Ann chose hospice for comfort and peace of mind. With her care team’s support, she enjoys concerts, movies, and time with loved ones. Ann urges others to start hospice early, highlighting its role in improving quality of life and providing expert, compassionate care well beyond expectations.

How Kansas City Hospice is there for Ann Nelson.

Ann Nelson is not who you might expect a typical 89-year-old hospice patient to be. In fact, she’s not your typical 89-year-old. For context, Ann completed her most recent 5K in June and does 40 crunches each morning as part of her workout regimen. She’s vibrant and full of life. She is celebrating life every day. And, she has terminal cancer.

“I started [in the summer of 2023 with Kansas City Hospice],” Ann recalls, “then canceled it so I could try a different cancer treatment. The aftereffects were so dreadful that when I had the choice of whether to continue chemo, I said no. I said I just can’t do that anymore. I couldn’t go through that again. I don’t want to spend the rest of my days this sick,”
Ann explains.

Ann restarted her services with Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care (KCH) in September 2023. When she started on service the second time, she knew she was doing the right thing for her. “The life I’m living now is one of gratitude for family, friends and excellent medical care,” Ann shared. “I am still able to see movies, go to concerts and book clubs.

I had a friend from high school who said instead of waiting for a celebration of life after I die, I should celebrate life now. And that’s what I’ve been doing – celebrating life. I’m so grateful I can do this and have fun. You have to feel well enough to celebrate, which I do, thanks to my care through Kansas City Hospice. And I celebrate by being with family and friends, playing the piano, walking with a little jog every now and then, and doing yard work.”

Reunited with a Caring, Familiar Face

Ann’s Kansas City Hospice care team consists of her social worker, Crispian, her nurse, Amanda, and her chaplain, Dave. Ann first met Crispian when Kansas City Hospice cared for her husband, Stan, who received hospice care nearly 10 years ago. Crispian remembers when she first met Ann. “Stan was among my first patients when I started at KCH. He and Ann were so lovely that they made a lasting impression on me.

Crispian visits Ann

KCH Social Worker, Crispian Paul (left) with Ann Nelson

All these years later when I saw that Ann would become one of our patients, I recognized her name and address instantly and felt bittersweet about it. ‘Bitter’ because I was sorry Ann needed our services, but ‘sweet’ because I was excited and honored to be able to meet and care for Ann again.”

Ann is just as fond of her whole care team. “All the hospice folks who come, we are now good friends. They’re very helpful, very friendly. With what’s ahead, they’ll know what to do and I’ll know them. I wonder what is going on, and how this will end, but I’m very lucky to have them. I’ve got somebody to call and discuss [my illness] with. It [gives me] peace of mind to have these friendly experts by my side.”

To learn more about how Kansas City Hospice walks alongside our patients, visit KCHospice.org/Services

Be Like Ann: Consult with Hospice Sooner, Rather Than Later

Ann recommends others begin hospice care as early as she did, and when asked, she expressed again how thankful she is for her care team. “For anyone in the process of deciding whether to start hospice care now or to wait, I would recommend they start now. My care team helps me live in a positive way. They’re always encouraging. There are days, like today, where I feel good and I don’t feel any pain. And tomorrow could be different. Knowing they’re here for me whenever I need them is a great comfort.”

Unfortunately, it’s extremely common in the United States for patients to wait until the very last minute to begin hospice care. Patients can start hospice care when their physician certifies that if this disease follows its natural progression, the life expectancy is six months or less. However, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, the median length of stay in hospice is just 18 days.

At Kansas City Hospice, many patients like Ann survive – even thrive – well past the six-month mark because of the expert, compassionate care provided by our care teams.

By: Allison Apple, Donor Specialist with Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care

Back to blog