With my partner being in not only her most vulnerable, painful, and powerless days, but getting close to her final days as well, Hand to Heart is literally the only thing she looks forward to anymore.
Steve has been more than just a fabulous massage therapist: he’s been so supportive and always offering ideas for her to get comfortable, resources he knows of that would help us, and he’s an easy person to talk to on the days when he’s at our home and can see the pain, sadness, frustration. Some days it’s hard for my partner to be comfortable on the massage table and Steve adapts to whatever will meet her needs.
As my partner’s only caregiver other than hospice, things can be EXTREMELY overwhelming due to the lack of control I have to take the pain away. I am watching her slowly lose her mobility and her health as a whole, and I know that the end is getting near. Steve, on more than a few occasions, has given me suggestions for how to ease my mind. The first time he came to see us, when it was “my turn,” by the time we were done and I stood up, I felt as though SO much pent-up stress had been released and it was such a gratifying feeling that I literally teared up.
This program is more than a “stranger” coming to your home to give you a massage, play you music, or meditate with you. This program is so important to the mental and physical health of people going through some of the most trying times ever.
As a caregiver, I truly feel that Hand to Heart has been the BEST support we’ve had because so much love is poured into this program and it’s given to the ones who need it most. I would recommend Hand to Heart to every family member, friend, acquaintance, and stranger. It’s helped us on some very trying days and I’d give anything for anyone going through the cancer journey to have this experience!
-Haley Colburn, 36, wife and caregiver