For the Rempel family, who live in Northern B.C., Canuck Place community-based care was critical when son Tristan was diagnosed with brain cancer at just 14 months old. Courtesy Canuck Place
The Abbotsford News – Oct 28 2024
A beacon of hope for families in need, no matter where in B.C. they live
When a child is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, families often find themselves navigating a journey filled with overwhelming medical, emotional and logistical challenges. Families like Jenn and Matt Rempel living in rural and remote areas of B.C., often face significant challenges in accessing the specialized care they need.
As the only pediatric palliative care provider in B.C. and the Yukon, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice understands this unique struggle and is committed to ensuring that children and families receive quality care no matter where they live.
Through community-based care, Canuck Place offers 24/7 clinical consultation from nurses and physicians and counselling services via phone or virtual care, giving families immediate access to medical advice and reassurance during critical moments. Whether it’s managing pain and symptoms, adjusting medication or providing spiritual and emotional support during challenging times, the team at Canuck Place is always available.
The Rempel family, who reside in Northern B.C., experienced firsthand the critical role of Canuck Place community-based care when their son, Tristan, was diagnosed with ependymoma brain cancer at just 14 months old. His complex medical journey would eventually lead them to Canuck Place. As Jenn recalls, “Tristan was full of life. He loved adventures, playing video games with his siblings and imitating funny things he saw, like people snoring. He made every moment brighter.”
As Jenn and Matt sought ways to manage Tristan’s care, Canuck Place nurses, physicians and counsellors became an integral source of support for them, offering guidance, medical expertise and a range of services including in-person medical respite care at the hospice and virtual resources.
Caring for the whole family
“We had a very positive first meeting with the Canuck Place team,” Jenn says. “They asked what our care goals were as a family and reassured us that we were in good hands. It wasn’t just about Tristan’s care; it was about supporting us all.”
Canuck Place clinicians supported the Rempel’s decision to stay at home with Tristan for as long as possible, working closely with them to make that goal a reality. The clinical team was always a phone or video call away, guiding them on how to manage their son’s needs without having to move their family away from their community and loved ones.
“We utilized the 24-Hour Clinical Care Line many times, as any sudden changes tended to happen late at night or early morning,” Jenn shares. “The nurses were so good about reassuring us that everything we were experiencing was normal and understanding how scary they may be.”
Canuck Place nurses also coordinated a team of community care nurses to visit the Rempels and provide hands-on support at their home. “An in-home care nurse visited several times per week for prescription changes and to show us how to administer medications,” Jenn explains. “Not once did I feel like things were out of control and I felt very taken care of.”
Community-based care
In addition to medical care and emotional support, Canuck Place provides families with the knowledge and tools they need to care for their child at home. For the Rempels, this meant learning to manage Tristan’s care with confidence. “There were many phone appointments as we figured out medication doses and how he was doing,” Jenn recalls. “We were given the tools to provide palliative care at home while also having access to Canuck Place nursing care when we needed it.”
Community-based care also includes emotional and spiritual support, essential components for families facing the realities of a child’s life-threatening illness. Canuck Place counsellors offer grief, loss and bereavement counselling services for parents, siblings and caregivers, supporting families with the emotional strain that comes with long-term illness and loss.
For Jenn and Matt, counselling support was crucial, particularly for Tristan’s siblings who were struggling to process their feelings. “Each of the kids had their own counsellor who was able to help guide them through the grief process,” Jenn says. The Rempel siblings also participated in Canuck Place’s sibling bereavement groups which helped them feel less alone in their grief.
Canuck Place community-based care offers families a choice for their place of care, ensuring that those in remote parts of the province receive quality care tailored to their specific needs. By bringing care into the home, Canuck Place ensures that no family is left to face their most challenging moments alone.
The services provided by Canuck Place are made possible through the generosity of donors and supporters. With your generosity, Canuck Place can light the way for more children, ensuring that every child and family – no matter where they live – has the chance to receive compassionate complex care.
From now until Dec. 31, every gift received this holiday season will be matched, dollar for dollar, thanks to generous partners such as John & Claire Nicola, Helen Edwards, BC Bakery & Deli Foundation and Douglas Gordon Family Foundation. With you, Canuck Place helps short lives shine bright.
Light a life. Give today at canuckplace.org.
