New book will benefit families, patients and all involved in hospice care

A new book outlining the history of The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County and telling countless stories taken from experiences with families and patients, was released last week.

A book launch for Peacocks and Thorns was held on Thursday, November 2 at the Windsor location, followed by a book signing at the Hospice Erie Shores Campus on Friday, November 3.

On hand were co-authors, Veronique Mandal and Dr. Jim Gall, who shared a passion for getting the story out, as explained in opening remarks from one of the Hospice co-founders Jane Boyd.

Boyd told the people in attendance about the beginning of Hospice and how it came about.

“We had great passion and great hope that what we were doing would be embraced by our community,” she said. “And it was.”

Boyd gave way to former Executive Director Carol Derbyshire who further explained the need for Hospice and how a group from Leamington approached her to open the one here.

She also talked about how the book came to be and how Dr. Gall’s meticulous notes on each patient and their family produced many stories that could be shared.

Dr. Gall’s notes were then turned over the Veronique Mandal — the Board Chair for The Hospice for Life Foundation — and she compiled a treasure trove of history and personal stories that can educate doctors, nurses, PSWs, volunteers, patients and families.

Dr. Gall was the Hospice physician for many years and when he spoke of the families he’s dealt with over the year, he spoke with sincere interest and emotion.

“This became a labour of love,” said Mandal. “Everything that epitomizes the roots and concept of Hospice.”

Dr. Gall agreed, saying that the book was written to describe and highlight the stories of some very courageous people that he had the honour of looking after for a very short time in their lives.

“I was taught that if you listen to a patient long enough, they’ll give you the diagnosis,” he said. I think anybody can pick up this book and read and understand it. It’s an educational tool for doctors, nurses, pracitioners, patients and families.

After the talk and some readings, the authors graciously spoke in person with those in attendance and signed their copies of the book.

The book is available on Amazon.ca.