Last spring and summer my father was dying with small cell lung cancer. As the summer wore on and the chemotherapy stopped working Mom, Dad and I discussed hospice care and decided that Pella would be the best choice. I had previously placed students with Pella Hospice and knew what a great facility it was and how good the staff were. When my dad experienced a fall and cut that caused the physician to finally admit that his time was running out, I made the call.

It was Mark who was with us during those last two weeks. Mark is this very gentle, kind, caring man who helped us through a traumatic and emotional time. With cancer, no one ever wants to level with you and really tell it like it is. Everyone spends a lot of time avoiding the issue or just not talking about it. We really just wanted answers and guidance about what to expect and when. Mark did this for me so I could then help my mom, brothers, and sisters.

Mark was available at any time, made stops at the house after hours to bring medications, and arranged for equipment so we did not have to deal with it. Mark was also there and took care of the details when my dad finally passed. The gentle soul that Mark possesses helped me so much to deal with being both the caretaker-nurse and daughter while my dad ended his battle. He told us how amazed he was with the care our family provided for Dad at home, and that we should feel contented that Dad died surrounded by family that obviously loved him. Those words provided solace for my mother as well. She still remarks on how wonderful Mark Orr was and repeats his words as validation that Dad passed as he would have liked, and that gives her some peace.