Helping those at the end of the road

By David Short

San Marcos — Lisa Adams is one of those people who is passionate about her job. So passionate in fact that she looks forward to going to work each day and helping to fulfill someone’s dream.

Unfortunately, that person’s dream is usually one of their last ones.

As PR/Marketing Director for CTMC Hospice, Adams and her co-workers deal with people whose time on earth is winding down rather quickly, and they know it.

“The myth about hospice is that many think it means a person is in the hospital hooked up to a machine and dying,” Adams said. “But what it really means is that the person has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and usually has less than six months to live.”

“And we have some who live longer, a few even ‘graduate’ from hospice,” Adams continued. “It’s not that they get well, but more that their condition stabilizes, not getting better but not getting worse.”

Hired as the first marketing person five years ago for CTMC Hospice, Adams says her biggest accomplishment for the non-profit is the “Hats off for Hospice” held each year. Now in it’s fifth year, the annual event has raised more than $70,000 to help fulfill dreams for patients. And these aren’t big dreams like trips to Hawaii. Rather, they are usually simple but meaningful to the patients and the families they will leave behind.

“Many times it is something like a dinner at a nice restaurant, or a family portrait,” Adams said. “A recent patient wanted one last date night with his wife. So we arranged for them to go to San Antonio, have dinner and stay in a hotel. Another patient….he was a young father with two kids and only a few weeks to live….his wish was a computer for his junior high age child for school.”

As Adams talks about the patients it is clear why she is passionate about the job, and the people served. The daughter of a 30-year Army vet, Adams grew up all across the world living at one point in Korea, Tokyo, and even graduating from high school in Germany. It was at that point that she came to San Marcos to attend what was then Southwest Texas State University. And a few years later she became part of the historic group to first graduate under the new name of Texas State University.

Married with two children of her own, Adams worked for a couple of state agencies prior to landing her current position at CTMC Hospice, a position she sums up in one word as “rewarding.”

“I’m a people person,” Adams said. “All our services are free. We have a great staff that includes bilingual members, doctor visits in people’s homes, and an 11th Hour Candlelighters Program so no one dies alone.”

While the hospice portion only serves adults, the mission extends to the youngest family members through programs like Camp Heartsong.

“Camp Heartsong is for kids who’ve suffered a significant loss,” Adams said. “It started with 20 and this past summer we have over 50 ages 8-17 years old. We take them to the John Knox Ranch where they can enjoy canoeing, archery, music, arts and crafts. But the highlight is the ‘Letting Go’ ceremony.”

“The children construct a boat and then push it off, symbolizing the letting go of grief of a lost loved one,” Adams continued.

Funded in part by the “Seasons of Sharing” at CTMC, Camp Heartsong has been a source of comfort and growth for many children. But the demand is higher than funding allows and this past summer some children had to be turned away as a result.

Adams said another goal hospice hopes to meet one day is the opening of a Bereavement Center here, but they need a building first.

While based here in San Marcos, the hospice actually covers seven area counties from south Austin to Gonzales. And for Adams, a typical work day consists of marketing to various doctor’s offices and nursing homes about the services provided.

With a warm smile and a positive attitude that opens doors and the hearts of people she meets, Adams is a vital part of the team at hospice that helps terminally ill persons and their families make that final transition in life a little better.

Many here say this community is a better place because of the compassionate service they provide.