Pat Berning: Caring for the Ultimate Caregiver

“Nurses dispense comfort, compassion, and caring without even a prescription” - Val Saintsbury

Help us provide critical 24-7 caregiving coverage to Pat & Jim Berning as Patti navigates her home hospice journey. Keep reading below for her full story or simply click on the donate button to offer your financial support…

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For Pat Berning, caregiving isn’t just a career mandate, it’s a way of life.

As a retired oncology nurse, she’s accompanied hundreds of patients along their cancer journey throughout her life-long career at Good Samaritan Hospital.

As a woman of strong faith, she volunteers countless hours supporting the poor, speaking up for those facing injustice and investing in cross-cultural, mutual relationships and support for the people of Nicaragua.

As a lover of nature, Patti is a champion of Mother Earth (even at times to the dismay of her family when they can’t find any paper towels at Grandma’s house).

As a loving wife, Patti has cared lovingly for her husband, Jim over the years and didn’t blink an eye when nearly 10 years ago Parkinson’s and other ailments began impacting Jim’s mobility and eventually his ability to drive.

And perhaps most-importantly, as someone who truly treasures her friends and family, Patti is often everyone’s go-to person for both medical questions and good news to share, while also serving as a shoulder to cry on when life hits its inevitable bumps in the road.

Patti is in one word – the ultimate ‘caregiver.’

And now it’s our turn to help take good care of her.

Over the Christmas holiday, Patti was hospitalized with multiple infections after struggling to breath. After reviewing scans, her doctors shared that the cancer had spread beyond treatment and that it was time to call hospice. What was most frightening, however, for Patti during that time was when the doctors shared she had only a 10% chance of making it home.

Home – to Jim, her beloved husband of 60 years.

Home – to visit with family and friends in the comfort of her surroundings.

Home – where she had always envisioned her final days, in her dining-room-turned-hospice-suite, looking out her big picture window at the woods, the deer and God’s beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

Gratefully, Patti’s fortitude paid off, and she was able to return home on Jan. 3. And while her large tribe of family and friends (including so many of YOU!) have rallied to bring meals, provide caregiving and offer visitation support, there still remains a need for paid, professional caregiving each week – a need that will continue to grow as Patti’s condition inevitably worsens.

Your financial support here will help supplement the financial burden of Patti’s home hospice journey without burdening her with extra worries about how her home care needs might impact future funds needed to provide quality care for Jim.

Thank you for your generous care, for your support, and for your faithful prayers. They are felt and so deeply appreciated!

The Berning Family