As a nurse, Robin Benton is used to caring for people who are ill. But it’s different when your mother is the one who is sick.
Her mom, Charlotte Brewer, a former nurse herself, has multiple myeloma, a rare type of blood cancer. In March 2024, the 80-year-old Valley resident decided to stop curative treatments in favor of comfort care with Hospice of the Valley, where she worked for over 10 years, before retiring in 2007.
“I wasn’t doing so well a year ago and everyone in my family thought I only had a few more weeks,” Charlotte confessed. “But now, I’m doing great, going on walks and spending time with my husband and three daughters. People think hospice means giving up, but I know from professional and personal experience that’s not true. I’m still here, enjoying life.”
Robin was the one who suggested hospice care. “We were running all over the place for different treatments and getting conflicting medical advice, and Mom was exhausted and stressed. Now, her amazing care team handles everything and she’s much happier.”
Charlotte’s Hospice of the Valley nurse, Kelly Langston, admires the way the family is living this stage of life with great intention, creating new ways to deepen their love for each other.
“They came up with an idea for a hug shirt,” shared Kelly. “Everyone in the family painted their arms then took turns hugging each other — stamping an imprint of encircled arms on the shirts. It’s a way to feel each other’s hugs even when they aren’t together.”
The family also made custom teddy bears at Build a Bear, with a tiny speaker embedded in a paw that plays a recorded message from Charlotte when pressed. Robin blinks back tears every time she hears her mother’s voice: "Robin, you are one of the greatest gifts God has ever given us. I love you so very much. I am so proud of you."
“I didn’t want to look back and wish I’d done this or that,” Robin said. “We are building memories every moment that we have. There will be no regrets.”
To learn more, visit hov.org or call 602-530-6900.
Lin Sue Flood is director of community engagement at Hospice of the Valley.
