Story of Janey Renier
Graduation is a special moment to many people’s lives. Typically you graduate from grade school, high school, and for some, even college. For Janey Renier, it was a graduation from hospice.
“All my organs were failing. We don’t know why I got sick. It’s a combination of a lot of different things all going wrong at the same time. I was told I only had a couple of weeks to live” said Janey. Diagnosed with malntriution, edema and one kidney functioning at 25%, the nursing home social worker referred Janey to Unity’s hospice program. “I am so glad and forever grateful to her.”
With the help of Unity’s interdisciplinary team, Janey was discharged from the nursing home to the home she shared with husband Ron. Her symptom management and comfort care began immediately upon her arrival. “When I got home from the hospital, my skin was so sensitive and I wasn’t strong enough to roll over in bed. It was extremely painful, but Robin, our CNA who we fell in love with, did such a good job. Everyone who worked with me was gentle and caring. The level of comfort that these people give you, literally the first or second time you see them – it’s like magic. When you have a team working so closely together, knowing exactly what each patient needs…wow,” exclaimed Janey.
While creating Janey’s plan of care, Unity Nurse John discovered duplications of her medication. “I was on one pill from one doctor and then another pill from another doctor for the same thing. With Unity involved, I went from 50 some pills to 20 some pills. All of my doctors were talking together and everyone knew what medication I was on. This really helped a lot. It wouldn’t have happened with John,” explained Janey.
Ron recalls, “Unity covered their bases. Every single time without fail, whoever it was caring for Janey, would say, OK Ron, we are done with Janey, is there anything we can do for you? That just made such a deep impression that they cared about me and our family as well as her. I don’t think you can get anybody better than people who are working for Unity. They are phenomenal. They are very professional and compassionate in working with you. In most cases they can’t cure you. They can only make you comfortable. But in our case it worked out differently.”
With the support of Unity’s care team, Janey’s health improved drastically and she grew stronger. Janey eventually transitioned from Unity’s hospice program to palliative care. She and Ron are now enjoying their retirement years together-thankful every day for the extra time with family.
“Unity gave me my life back.”
—Ron Renier