Our Stories - Life is Precious

A Mother and Daughter Make Lasting Memories
Laurie James

Jun, 2015

In 2007, Laurie James, a 48-year-old mother of two, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Laurie said, “I can’t complain, I’ve been married and I have two beautiful children. I know my purpose in life was to be a mom.”

Laurie’s difficulty breathing had gotten worse and she had become resistant to antibiotics that fight the infections that make her sick. After consulting with Hospice at Home, Laurie’s doctor suggested that she be put on hospice service to help her be more comfortable. Laurie, having had family and friends use hospice services, was no stranger to what this meant.

Laurie has a 26-year-old son who is married with children, and a 17-year-old daughter, Amanda, who is in her last year of high school. Laurie quoted Joan Rivers and said, “I was privileged enough to give birth to my best friend.”

Laurie had mentioned to one of her care team members that her daughter needed senior pictures taken and that she didn’t know how she was going to afford it. Her Hospice at Home care team took this need and ran with it. They arranged a day of pampering for Laurie and her daughter at a spa in New Buffalo. After getting manicures, pedicures, haircuts, styles, and their make-up done, Amanda had her senior pictures taken by a photographer.  

“It was a great memory-making day. My daughter exclaimed, ‘Hospice at Home was great to do this for us, it provided me one of the greatest memories with my mom’.” Laurie continued, “I looked at Amanda when she was getting her hair done, and it just hit me that she has grown into such a beautiful young lady.”