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Gene Logue
  • A Day at the Races Thanks to Hosparus Health Central Kentucky

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This spring, Vernice Eugene “Gene” Logue got all dressed up in one of his best suits – complete with a smart bowtie, freshly shined shoes and Derby hat – for a day at Keeneland with his daughters.

“I’m going to be proud up there at the races,” he said when we spoke with him before his outing. “I don’t know if I’ll win a bunch of money, but I’m gonna bet on every race. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Gene passed away from cancer in July, but he and his family told us that this special moment, and many others, wouldn’t have been possible without Hosparus Health Central Kentucky.

“If it weren’t for Hosparus Health, we would have missed out on a lot of quality time together,” said Gene’s daughter, Teresa Edlin. When her dad got sick, she knew to call Hosparus Health because of the wonderful care and support her family received during her mom’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She passed away in 2017.

As his illness progressed, Gene was in pain, had no appetite and had lost a lot of weight. Within a week of calling Hosparus Health, Teresa said her dad began to enjoy food again and put on some weight. “The pain was managed much better, and he began to feel good again,” she added. “We could never thank Hosparus enough for helping him regain a quality of life we thought we had missed.”

A veteran of both the Navy and Army, Gene told us that “knowing you’ve got somebody at your back” meant so much to him. “I am absolutely thankful” for Hosparus Health. “More than you can imagine.”
Hosparus Health provided Gene with a full continuum of individualized care, including medical, social and spiritual support. “The difference they’ve made has been amazing. It’s just a tremendous blessing,” said Teresa.

Tammy Vessels, a professional hairstylist for 30-plus years and Hosparus Health volunteer for the past five years, came to Gene’s home to give him a fresh haircut for his Keeneland trip.

“It might seem like a very simple thing to many people. But when you’re struggling with illness, you have days when you don’t feel like getting out. Having someone who is willing to come to the home and help you look refreshed, someone like Tammy, who comes in and loves to smile and cut up with you at the same time, it’s just a wonderful gift to us,” said Teresa.

Tammy said she is the one who feels blessed to serve hospice patients and their families. “I get just a wonderful feeling in my heart, knowing I can make someone’s last days brighter. It brings me such joy.”

 

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