Page 28 - San Diego Woman Military Coverage 2019

If it weren’t for the Veterans for some reason he never received the certificate. It was his dying wish to obtain his GED
of our country we would not certificate. Although he did not live to see it, Penny was able to provide information to his
enjoy the many freedoms family who was then able to obtain the certificate which now holds a proud spot on the wall
that we do. Thankfully, our in their home.
country has finally begun
to recognize those who For some it is difficult to understand why those we love chose not to share the experiences,
have sacrificed so much for both good and bad, with their family. Many Vets feel that it is a sign of weakness to tell
these freedoms. One local family what they have gone through. They want to remain stoic and not show the emotions
organization that has really of their experience, a skill often taught in basic training. Tauna Austin, Program & Special
made a statement regarding Projects Manager at LightBridge shared some insight with us. “The stoicism of some of our
Veteran care is Lightbridge Veterans is often an obstacle that has to be overcome as well. Some Vets even refuse to
Hospice & Palliative Care. I take pain medication because they feel it is a sign of weakness. We have learned through
was honored to speak with our training that we can try to convince them that taking pain medication is something that
members of their team, and will make their situation easier to tolerate and it is not a sign of weakness, but we have to
also a Veteran patient who is then respect their decision if they chose to remain medication free. “
thankful for all they are doing. The “We Honor Veterans” program has four levels of recognition (a “star” is added for each
With Veterans accounting for one out of four dying Americans, Jill Mendlen, President and level achieved) that participating organizations can achieve to assure that everything pos-
Founder, recognized the need and was thrilled to endorse the opportunity presented by sible is being done for the veterans. LightBridge is the only hospice in Southern California
this team to step up and get involved with the care of our ailing Veterans. One of these to have earned the third star, one of only two in the State of California and well on their
steps included actively participating in the ‘We Honor Veterans’ program developed by the way to earning their fourth and final star, currently held by only two hospices in the entire
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department Country. In addition to staff training, volunteer Veterans are brought into the program since
of Veterans Affairs.’We Honor Veterans’ is a pioneering program focusing on respectful they can share personal experiences with the Veterans. There is even a provision for
inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgement. At the end of life every in- those Veterans who have no family. It is called “No Veteran Dies Alone.” Cindy Hutchinson
dividual deserves respect and peace of mind, but for some veterans they were just not real- explains, “This is an 11th hour program for dying Veterans who have no one to be with
izing it. The main reason was a lack of understanding of the unique situation being faced them at the end. We will call in one of our Veteran Volunteers when we know the end is
by these Veterans. Penny Pongun, Medical Social Worker for LightBridge, explained, “’We near and they will sit by the bedside of the Veteran until the end.”
Honor Veterans’ is a very structured program that teaches our staff how to best serve We had the opportunity to get a firsthand look into the We Honor Vets program through
Veteran patients. It begins with a formal intake assessment of the veteran to learn not only the eyes of a patient. Craig Gillettte, a 59 year old cancer patient living in Jamul with his
in which war(s) they served, but in which branch of the armed forces. In addition,
a critical question as to whether or not their time in the service was a positive or
negative experience is pursued.”
Many might wonder why these questions would be important when an individual
is facing the end of life. Each war had its own challenges and conditions that
may have brought about specific illnesses. World War II Veterans were the first
servicemen known as “Atomic Vets” serving in a war that utilized atomic bombs.
Our servicemen were responsible for cleanup after the attacks on Hiroshima and
Nagasaki. When we hear the term ‘Veteran’ we often associate it only with men.
In reality over 350,000 of the World War II Veterans were women. In this war the
women involved were mostly nurses, and many of them were taken prisoners
of war by the Japanese when Bataan and Corregidor fell, and were forced to
spend four years as POWs. They and all Veterans who were prisoners of war San Diego
may face end of life circumstances that bring them back to this traumatic time. Woman
Dark spaces or loud noises can trigger post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a
Veteran. Part of the intake assessment allows the caregivers to find out if this is
a concern and to
act accord- 45
ingly. Vietnam
Veterans have
their own set of
challenges and conse- fiancée and her daughter, was diagnosed with stage four small cell lung cancer several
quences from their time months ago. His physician felt that the cancer was progressing very quickly and he should
serving our country. The consider hospice. LightBridge came out and did an assessment and took over the case.
most recognized illness “My experiences with LightBridge have been great. They have made a very tough time
deriving from this war easier for me and my family. If I have questions they are there to answer them, if I need re-
was exposure to Agent lief from pain they contact my physician and they deliver it to me.” Craig served three tours
Orange, the pesticide of duty in Vietnam while in the Navy. He shares how tough it was when he came back and
used to help clear the did not receive any recognition for his service. “I am grateful for the LightBridge staff who
jungle countryside. Dis- are there for me whenever I need them. I have a nurse and a counselor who I see regu-
eases such as soft tissue larly. I am able to share my experiences in war with them and it gives me back some of
sarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s my dignity and pride in serving our country. I got blindsided by cancer and LightBridge has
lymphoma, Hodgkin's helped me get through it.” Although the connection has not been made by doctors, Craig
disease, chloracne, explains that even though he was not in an area that was sprayed with Agent Orange, he
porphyria cutanea tarda, would often go into Da Nang to get barbequed food where their primitive barbeques were
respiratory cancers, the drums which had previously stored Agent Orange.
multiple myeloma, The experience with LightBridge makes the toughest time of life more bearable, not only for
prostate cancer, acute the patient, but for their family as well. Even after the end has come for the patient, Light-
peripheral neuropathy, Bridge continues to be a source of strength. After the patient passes, the family is given a
and spina bifida in offspring have been associated with those exposed to Agent Orange. In memory box where they can store special mementos of their Veteran’s service. They also
addition, severe cases of PTSD have been found in Vietnam Veterans. Once this aspect provide bereavement counseling to help them deal with their loss.
of the assessment is complete, the Veteran will then be assigned the appropriate case “We Honor Veterans,” is a wonderful program which allows the Veterans of our country to
workers to care for their special needs. A central part of the team is a counselor who can pass on with the dignity and respect they deserve and we thank LightBridge and hospices
speak with the patient about their experiences. As Cindy Hutchinson, Director of Patient throughout the country who have joined in to help pay back our brave soldiers during their
Care Services at LightBridge adds, “This is the time when the patient gets a chance to final tour.
share their war experiences. Many patients finally open up about experiences that they
have never shared with anyone. Families are sometimes amazed to find out information To volunteer or learn more about the LightBridge Hospice & Palliative Care veteran pro-
they never knew.” One of the experiences that Penny will never forget is when she learned gram please call 858-458-2992 or visit www.LightBridgeHospice.com.
that one of her patients had lied about his age so that he could enlist. As a result he never
graduated high school. While he was in the service he managed to obtain his GED, but