David and Laura Hayden were married in 1970 and true to their wedding vows, to this day, even in David’s death bed; they appear to be the perfect couple made just for each other. Right after they wed, all David wanted was to be successful in his marriage and as a father to their future children. They have four girls and one boy, all grown up now and five grandchildren.
David has been a very good provider to his family working as a concrete contractor for custom built homes. Things seemed to be going well until about seven years ago when David started to experience dizzy spells, balance problems, gasping to catch his breath and choking. That was the beginning of a journey to the unknown that took him and his wife from one physician referral to another. And as the unidentified disease progressed, his general health declined. A diagnosis of Multiple Systems Atrophy, a very rare neurological disease came three years ago through a referral at UCLA Medical Center.
Once a very avid snow boarder and surfer who loves to spend time with his family at the beach; now, a typical day starts with Emilia, a hospice caregiver of the Visiting Nurse Association of the Inland Counties who helps in his bathing, grooming and other activities of daily living. In between her visits and other members of the hospice Interdisciplinary Team like Lisa Studdard, hospice nurse, Vera Fisher, hospice social worker, and Dr. Robert Peterson, hospice physician; he reads a little bit and watches TV. They joke about him, ‘hopefully not to die of boredom.’
He is showered with the love of his children, grandchildren and friends who visit often. And always at his side is the tender touch and voice of his beloved wife Laura whose courage and loving devotion to provide the best care possible for him is unwavering. “We’re just so blessed with the gift of hospice through the VNA of the Inland Counties and the United Way for making it possible for David’s last days as comfortable, peaceful and dignified,” she said.
At 61, David lay on his hospice bed at peace with himself, almost anxious of the coming of the day when he joins his Maker.
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