One of the things Teresa Melton loved most about her husband, Jason Yohemas, was the ease with which he went through life. She was so proud of his career, sports, activities and roles as a parent and husband. He didn’t sweat the small stuff.
“I truly believe they broke the mould with Jason. He was funny, smart, kind, accepting and forgiving. A brilliant man.”
The couple loved cycling, travelling together, having adventures and curling up on the couch watching Netflix. For Emmett and Cierra, their nine-year-old twins, special memories of their fun-loving dad include barracuda fishing in Belize, spinning loops on the sea-doo in Kelowna, and him being a huge Dallas Cowboys fan. During Covid, Jason taught them math.
“Even though his life was cut short, he loved us for a lifetime.”
Jason received a diagnosis of terminal brain cancer when he was only 51. He fought the illness for 17 months but as the disease progressed, challenges grew for both Jason and Teresa, including his inability to walk or do daily activities by himself.
When you’re told there are no more treatments, there’s a big gap until the end of life. A palliative care nurse told Jason and Teresa about Pilgrims Hospice Society. For the family, the experience was life-changing.
Teresa took a lot of pride in caring for Jason and cherished helping him stay in the home he loved. Heartbreakingly, there came a time when her own body was just not strong enough to lift him anymore. It was only at that point that Teresa reached out for further help.
“In hindsight, maybe we waited too long. Once Jason was settled in the hospice, we felt nothing but relief.”
The comfortable and welcoming Roozen Family Hospice Centre became their “home away from home” — a place where family and friends felt at ease. “The kids were allowed to be kids,” said Teresa. “To run wild, look for treats and be as raw as raw can be”.
As hard as it was for Teresa to give up control of Jason’s care, his first bath at the hospice was calm and relaxing, like a day at the spa – worlds apart from his last shower at home, which Teresa admits was risky, difficult and ended in tears.
“I thought I was doing a good job taking care of Jason at home until I saw the dignity, professionalism, privacy and compassion shown to my husband at the hospice.”
With Jason in hospice, Teresa was able to just be his wife, and a mom when her kids needed her. “I felt so comfortable being at the hospice, having afternoons without visitors and curling up with Jason for naps on the bed. We’d never have done that at home, there was just too much to do.”
On the day Jason died, the family went to see him one last time. Emmett and Cierra were able to jump in bed and sit next to Daddy, while staff pushed his bed through the hallways and into the courtyard for a popsicle. It was there that Jason took his last breaths, outside in the sunshine.
“I felt so close to the nurse who was with me at that intimate moment like she was a best friend, as well as someone who knew what to do medically.”
Teresa knows their last moments with Jason would have been very different if he hadn’t come to the hospice. “My family is so lucky that this building came to be, helping individuals and families through one of the hardest times they’ll ever experience.”
“I can honestly say Pilgrims was a lifesaver for me and my family – and still is.”
Pilgrims Hospice Society is an independent, non-profit organization that relies on the generosity of donors to provide exceptional end-of-life care for all. Your support enables us to provide our community with enhanced hospice care, grief support programs and spiritual care free of charge. Please consider donating today.
