CMH Annual Report June 1, 2013 - May 31, 2014 | Page 10

Jennifer Hendrickson, CNA, CMH Hospice volunteer
director, not only took care of Shelby Rambo, but
became one of his biggest fans. A veteran of the Korean
War, Shelby used CMH Hospice for comfort care and
gained a new friend, too.

G

rowing up, children often dream
of becoming an astronaut,
professional athlete or a movie
star. As they grow older, those
perspectives seem to change. Dreams of
fame and fortune now have morphed into
wanting to make a difference. For some
they are compelled to pursue a career in
education or public service; for others they
are drawn to pursue a career in medicine.
In July 2013, Jennifer Hendrickson,
walked into the home and lives of Shelby
and Dorothy Rambo. Jennifer is a certified
nursing assistant and the CMH director of
hospice volunteers and H.O.P.E. -- Helping
Others and Providing Encouragement. As a
hospice CNA, Jennifer, who has worked for
CMH for 10 years, has performed this assignment numerous times before; however,
she did not realize how this family would
make such an undeniable impact in her life.
Years before their meeting, retired U.S.
military veteran Shelby Rambo had been diagnosed with numerous chronic conditions
-- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
chronic heart failure and chronic renal
failure. After years of doctor appointments,
repeat admissions to the hospital, long-term
care facilities and rehabilitation programs,
Shelby decided to no long seek treatment.
CMH Hospice was called to continue his
care in the comfort of his own home.
Twice a week, Jennifer traveled to the
Urbana, Mo., home and provided Shelby
with the personal and medical care he
needed to stay comfortable. What started
out as a routine visit soon became the
highlight of Jennifer’s job. Often the duo
would spend hours discussing various

topics ranging from historical events to
the History Channel’s reality show Ice Road
Truckers. “Every time I would visit, Shelby
asked that I join him and watch the Price is
Right,” Jennifer laughed. “We agreed that
had the contestants listened to us, they
would have done a lot better.” Eventually,
Shelby became a grandfather figure to
Jennifer.
“Shelby was so much fun to be around.
One time, he brought out old photos and
medals he had received from the war. He
had so much pride in serving in the mili-

“You provided us
with so much -- I
can’t thank you
enough for what
you have done for
my family.”

tary,” recalled Jennifer. Knowing he was a
veteran, she recruited the help from CMH
Hospice volunteer and fellow veteran, Jim
Friend. While Shelby and Jim were visiting,
they discovered that Shelby was missing
several medals he had earned. With the
help of Jim, CMH Hospice and numerous
phone calls, Shelby was presented with his
additional medals.
As time passed and Shelby’s illnesses
progressed, Jennifer began visiting more
frequently. Jennifer helped with grocery
shopping and other household tasks, but

mainly went to spend time with Shelby and
Dorothy. “For his birthday I made him his
favorite meal -- corn beef and cabbage with
rolls and cherry pie. That was all he wanted
from me,” she recalled.
On Feb. 17, 2015, Jennifer knew Shelby’s
illness was critical and his time on earth
was growing shorter. She visited Shelby
and Dorothy, and the following morning,
while Jennifer was comforting Dorothy,
Shelby took his final breath. He was at
peace, surrounded by his wife and his best
friend, Jennifer, who he had come to love
so dearly.
“Shelby is why I do my job. I cannot be
sad when I think of him and the friendship
we had,” she explains. “CMH Hospice and
I are able to give people the quality of life
they deserve to the very end.”
Jennifer still keeps in touch with Dorothy
and regularly calls her for follow-up. “I
cannot sing hospice’s praises enough,”
shares Dorothy. “You provided us with so
much -- I can’t than