Final Journeys • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98558265@N00/272066188/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>
A Lighter Moment<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">Shirley Chambers, left, shares a laugh with fellow hospice nurses Chris Waller and Amy Ware in their office at HomeCare of Mid-Missouri in the town of Moberly. "You've got to have a sense of humor in this line of work, otherwise your gonna cry all the time"says Amy.<br /><br />Copyright © Joe Johnston. All rights reserved<br /></span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98558265@N00/272049203/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>
Caring for Her Patient<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">71 year-old Gerald Patrick's face lights up with delight as Shirley cleans his face during a morning visit. Gerald suffers from a heart condition, diabetes and Alzheimer's that keeps his body frail.<br /><br />Copyright © Joe Johnston. All rights reserved<br /></span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98558265@N00/272048258/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>
Checking the Vital Signs<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">Shirley checks the heart beat of 88 year-old Alberta Lorten who suffers from heart trouble and a variety of ailments that have kept her appetite low and taken a toll on her body. Shirley's main concern is to keep her comfortable.<br /><br />Copyright © Joe Johnston. All rights reserved<br /></span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98558265@N00/272048542/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>
The Caring Nurse<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">A deep concern for patients shows as Shirley listens intently during a meeting with hospice doctor Alan Weaver.<br /><br />Copyright © Joe Johnston. All rights reserved<br /></span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98558265@N00/272048320/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>
More Journeys Ahead<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">Shirley heads off to another appointment after checking in on Beverly Davis, whose husband died in January. Shirley will often swing by to check in on relatives of patients long after their love ones have passed away.<br /><br />Copyright © Joe Johnston. All rights reserved<br /></span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98558265@N00/272049049/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>
Giving A Helping Hand<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">With a helping hand Shirley leads Gerald to his kitchen table for some breakfast. "Hospice is not about dying, it's about living well at the end of life" says Janet Dellinger, Shirley's co-worker and hospice spiritual advisor.<br /><br />Copyright © Joe Johnston. All rights reserved<br /></span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98558265@N00/272047761/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>
The Pain of Bureaucracy<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">“This has been a day from hell" says Shirley after not being able to accept a patient into hospice.<br /><br />Copyright © /Joe Johnston. All rights reserved<br /></span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98558265@N00/272048136/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>
Heading Down the Highway<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">After a day of comforting others, Shirley heads home in the Corvette she got this last Spring. She told her husband Max she really liked it and he told her to go ahead and get it.<br /><br />Copyright © Joe Johnston. All rights reserved<br /></span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98558265@N00/272047845/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>
Giving Back<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">On Wednesday nights, Shirley teaches a religious education class for third, fourth and fifth graders for the Immaculate Conception Church in Macon. It's one of her favorite things to do each week.<br /><br />Copyright © Joe Johnston. All rights reserved<br /></span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98558265@N00/272047994/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>
Life in the Garden<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">One of Shirley's passions in life is gardening and her husband Max is happy to help, since Shirley is his passion in life, "She's what keeps me going," he says.<br /><br />Copyright © Joe Johnston. All rights reserved<br /></span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98558265@N00/272048813/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>
A Moment to Relax<br /><span style="font-size:0.8em;">Shirley and Max share a quiet moment at home. After a rough day at work, this is where you'll find her.<br /><br />Copyright © Joe Johnston. All rights reserved<br /></span> • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98558265@N00/272047575/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>