Books for the Browsing …

As we come upon the holiday season, however you celebrate and share with others, books are always a favorite.  For the Journeys book, I was blessed with the privilege of working with LangMarc Publishing, as I’ve mentioned on prior postings.  LangMarc Publishing is a great source for your holiday shopping in the way of great books.  Check out their library, including the most recent release, I Choose to be Happy: A School Shooting Survivor’s Triumph Over Tragedy by Missy Jenkins with William Croyle.

Happy reading, renewing and relaxing for you and yours this holiday season, as we look toward a healthy and peaceful 2010.  Melody

A Loving Thanksgiving for All!

As we come upon Thanksgiving 2009, I am reminded of the many examples of love I see and find myself in every day.  Here’s hoping everyone who reads this posting will be surrounded by much love during this Thanksgiving week, and always. 

A recent Email crossed my desk.  It was a compilation of how some youngsters, ages four to eight, define love.  Here’s a response from one young boy named Billy, age four.

‘When someone loves you,
the way they say your name is different.  
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.’  

Here’s hoping you are surrounded by people who hold you in their loving care, with your name safely in their mouths.

Written with love and a special thanks for those in the military, serving here in the US and abroad, who are risking their lives far away from their loved ones.  Melody

Growing Up with Pat.

One of my workout friends from The Hills in Austin, Texas is Patricia Riggs Flathouse, a fabulous writer who has a new book out entitled Growing Up in the Texas Panhandle.  As mentioned by a National Public Radio reporter who recently interviewed Pat, the book is a “glimpse into the history of small-town Texas life in the 1940’s and 1950’s.  Author Pat Flathouse shares her philosophy on writing and surprise guest Emma Flathouse, Pat’s granddaughter, gives us her impressions of growing up in the Texas Panhandle in the 21st Century.”  The story is outstanding, and I thought you might be interested.  Also check out Pat’s excellent blog entitled Pat’s Place.

Enjoy.  Melody

Faith’s Update …

In a previous blog posting, I mentioned the fabulous and precious little girl, Faith Bittner (shown complete with a bathing suit photo in shades!), who was a patient at Dell Children’s Medical Center, and whose family was raising money for rocking chairs for the hospital.  As a quick follow-up, check out the newsletter mention shown below from the University United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas.  Isn’t Faith amazing?

Many blessings, Melody

Rocking chairs delivered to Dell 

A note of thanks to UUMC members who contributed to the Faith Bittner Rocking Chair project.  Last Thursday, two trucks and a car pulled up to the Dell Children’s Medical Center packed to the brim with 14 beautiful rocking chairs, many of which were donated by UUMC members out of the goodness of their hearts.  These will bring comfort to parents with children who are patients at the Medical Center. 

 
The end result?  Lots of love shared by many, and the goal of 50 chairs reached in full.

 

Healthcare Reform – An NHPCO Update

In previous blogs I have written about the need for accurate information on the ever-changing prospects for healthcare reform at the national level.  As such, this week I wanted to pass along a recent Public Policy Update from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) which might be helpful.  No doubt additional action has taken place on the issue of healthcare reform in recent days and weeks.  Thus to obtain more recent information, please contact NHPCO directly.

Public Policy Update: The Latest News on Hospice & Health Care Reform

Senate Finance Committee Begins Mark-Up

The Senate Finance Committee has begun consideration of America’s Healthy Future Act. As we told you last week, the proposal currently includes additional rate cuts to hospice. Based on estimates from the Congressional Budget Office and projections from the Finance Committee, NHPCO estimates that the productivity cuts will amount to an 11.8 percent reduction (after annual Market Basket increases) to hospice reimbursement by 2019.

We’re currently working with hospice champions on the Finance Committee to craft an amendment which would relieve hospice from these additional devastating cuts. We are working to propose a responsible alternative that acknowledges the cost savings from efficiencies already imposed upon hospice through recent regulatory changes and recognizes the unique health care model that hospice is; one that is patient-centered and based on the people that deliver compassionate, high-quality care at the bedside.

Currently, the amendment is being reviewed by the Congressional Budget Office to determine the associated costs. If the amendment can be structured to meet the Finance Committee requirement of budget neutrality, then it should be considered as part of the debate this week. We will keep you apprised of updates and ask for your help to garner support if the amendment moves forward.

The Committee is currently hearing opening statements, and it is anticipated that the consideration of amendments will begin tomorrow. There have been more than 500 amendments filed, so the Committee will be working through the week, and perhaps beyond.

In the meantime, it is critical that we continue to educate Congress on the impact of the proposed cuts to hospice. Contact your Members of Congress TODAY to tell them that “Two Cuts are Too Much for Hospice!”

 

####

Health Care Reform – An Accurate Perspective on End-of-Life Care

Given all of the mis-information and escalated rhetoric about health care reform, especially as it relates to end-of-life healthcare issues, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization has provided us with an accurate and timely web-site link to stay abreast of this important issue currently being debated in Washington, DC and across the country.

Another Journeys Kudo …

This month marked yet another award-winning, kudo finalist recognition for Journeys of Heartache and Grace .  This time it’s in the category of Death and Dying for the National Best Books 2009 Awards as sponsored by USA Book News. 

With gratitude, Melody

For We Love Our Valley Home!

For anyone in the wonderful Rio Grande Valley area, I thought you might be interested in this upcoming Journeys book talk on October 13th as hosted by Valley Baptist hospital.  The Valley means the world to me in that my beloved grandmother, Miriam Chatelle, was one of the first-hired public school teachers in Los Fresnos, Texas, and also wrote the book, For We Love Our Valley Home.  My father, James Chatelle, grew up there.

Come join us . . .  Melody

Nationally-known Author to Speak in Valley Oct. 13 on End-of-Life CommunicationHarlingen– A nationally-known author, Melody Chatelle of Austin, will be in the Valley to speak on how to support a loved one during a serious illness on Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Valley Baptist Medical Center, 2101 Pease Street in Harlingen. The presentation is free and open to the public, and will be held in the Woodward Conference Center on the first floor of the hospital. Ms. Chatelle will discuss issues addressed in her book, Journeys of Heartache and Grace: Conversations and Life Lessons from Young People with Serious Illnesses. “This will be a positive and practical look at a challenging journey we all will eventually have to face with our loved ones and ourselves – the end of our lives,” said Chaplain Joe Perez, Vice President for Pastoral Services at Valley Baptist. “Melody examines the personal journeys of seriously-ill young people and addresses how they want to be treated. This will benefit anyone who wants to know how they can comfort and help a loved one through a serious illness.” Dr. Chatelle holds a Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. A long-time hospice volunteer, she owns a communication and advocacy consulting firm in Austin. Her book was recently named a 2009 Indie Excellence Finalist in Non-Fiction and a 2009 Delta Kappa Gamma International Society Book of Interest. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Enrica Kirksey-Rincones of the Valley Baptist Pastoral Services Dept. at (956) 389-6750 or by e-mail at Enrica.Kirksey@ValleyBaptist.net. Terms of Use & Privacy Policy

Travelling without a map: A valuable resource.

Recently I came across the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s document entitled Are You Traveling Without a Map? A Layperson’s Guide to Advance Care Planning.  The resource seems excellent, and I would encourage you to check it out for yourselves and/or those around you.  Melody

A Phone Call Away …

Seldom a week goes by that I don’t hear from someone with a question about where to get social services help.  In Texas – as in many other states - we are blessed to have a public/private service called 2-1-1 Texas that I am proud to promote.

2-1-1 Texas is a partnership between the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, United Ways of Texas, various local United Way organizations, the Texas Information and Referral Network, and numerous other important entities in the business of helping others.  2-1-1 is a telephone line that you can dial from anywhere in Texas.  After placing that call, you will then access a professionally-trained individual who can direct to you non-emergency health and human services assistance programs, whether you are trying to collect overdue child support payments; searching for safety and shelter in preparation for natural disasters; looking for a particular federal, state or municipal office; needing to find a church or synagogue with food for the needy; etc. 

Given this tough economy, perhaps there is a 2-1-1 service in your area.  Check it out.  Information and help may only be a phone call away …

Whatever your needs, best wishes always – Melody