Early in my hospice career, I went on an admission visit with the hospice physician to the beside of a young woman with an aggressive cancer. The physician asked her, "What goals do you have for your treatment? What can we do for you?" She turned and looked up at us and told us her story.

"I have been from hospital to hospital, specialist to specialist, clinic to clinic, and for almost 6 years now, no one... no one... has been able to get me relief from this pain." In desperation she said to us, "Please, will you be the ones to finally help? And... would you pray with me>"

The physician's answer was a gentle one. "If you can give us a few days, I promise you that we can and will improve your pain and help you to be more comfortable." He smiled at her, and said, "Yes of course we will pray for you." She seemed surprised when he got down on one knee, and led the patient and the chaplain in prayer for her. Following the prayer , and in tears, she told us that this was the first moment in a very long time that she had felt any hope whatsoever.

It wasn't in two or three days, but within a few hours, that through the expertise of a hospice physician, and a caring hospice team, she reported relief from her intractable pain.

This i one of the great miracles of the promise of hospice care: that with the appropriate time, care, and skill, a patient's goals to be comfortable and not debilitated by pain are obtainable and very real. For the patient in pain, that can mean a restoration of life. Pain is a harsh master: it can immobilize you, rob you of sleep, override the ability to think clearly, and very simply limit the scope of your existence of the world of pain vs. the world without pain. Pain rules, and co-opts, any available energy a person may muster for the things that make us truly human: the ability to communicate clearly to love, to laugh, to have dreams and visions, and to be fully ourselves with families, in short, to live. The alleviation of pain restores these vital, life giving, human attributes.

As a person new to struggling with chronic pain, experiencing its real presence and its power, I re-affirm in a truly visceral way my belief that one of the greatest gifts hospice care can give a patient and family is indeed the alleviation of pain and the restoration of comfort at the end of life. It is truly, truly life giving.

By an ambassador for hospice care in our community: remember the story of this all too young woman patient, who found a new life at a critical time, due to the miracles and blessings of hospice care.

The Covid pandemic has increased our awareness of the importance of a healthy immune system and Vitamin D has long been recognized as an essential component to a healthy immune system. Although there are conflicting reports as to whether or not taking Vitamin D supplements can prevent or treat Covid-19 infections, it has been well documented that Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a wide variety of conditions including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, hypertension, muscle weakness, rheumatoid arthritis and numerous cancers.

Most people know that Vitamin D is necessary to maintain strong and healthy bones; but Vitamin D is also a hormone. Vitamin D is unique in that your body can synthesize Vitamin D in your skin during sun exposure. Once activated in the liver, Vitamin D helps to regular the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood stream, which in turn affect the bones, circulation system and immune system as well.

The longer daylight hours of summer provide a great opportunity to optimize your health by having some fun in the sun. While it is true that excessive sun exposure can increase the risk of sunburns and skin cancer, the current trend toward avoid sun exposure altogether has been shown to have negative health effects. Sun exposure in moderation has several vital health benefits, which should be balanced against the risk of certain types of skin cancers cause by excessive sun exposure. One of the key benefits to sun exposure is maintaining optimal levels of Vitamin D.

Your body actually needs at least 20 minutes of direct sun exposure two to three times per week in order to produce an adequate amount of Vitamin D. People at increased risk for Vitamin D deficiency, include the elderly obese, dark skinned individuals, lactose intolerant individuals, and those with limited sun exposure. Common dietary sources of Vitamin D include fortified milk, salmon, tuna fish, and eggs. Because most people do not consume adequate quantities of these foods, vitamin D supplementation is necessary to achieve the recommended daily allowance of 600-00 IU of Vitamin D per day for adults. If you are concerned that you may have a Vitamin D deficiency, the best way to determine your risk is by asking your healthcare provider to run a blood test to check your Vitamin D levels.

In addition to boosting Vitamin D levels, sun exposure has also been shown to elevate mood by boosting serotonin levels as well as improving sleep and promoting weight loss. Below are a few tips to help you receive the benefits of sun exposure while minimizing the risks of sun burns which lead to skin cancer:

• Always protect your face and ears with sun screens and hats as they are the most susceptible to skin damage.
• Allowing 20 minutes of unprotected sun exposure to your arms, legs and trunk before 10am and after 3pm three times per week should provide adequate Vitamin D levels while minimizing the risk of sun burns and skin damage.
• If you plan to be in the sun for longer periods, remember to find adequate shade and use sunscreen and sun protective clothing.

Now that California is re-opened, take advantage of the great outdoors and catch some sunshine - it will help to boost your mood and Vitamin D levels for improved health.