Burke Hospice Executive Director now a patient

Role Reversal

Credit: Jennifer Frew | The News Herald

Ron LaSalle shows The News Herald the new Burke Hospice and Palliative Care Inpatient Facility, which is nearing completion. LaSalle says his experience in nursing and as Hospice C.E.O has strengthened his abilities to understand and cope with his cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy treatments.

By: Julie n. Chang | Morganton News Herald
Published: October 25, 2009

Valdese --

Ron LaSalle was driving to Pennsylvania to see his children and grandchildren when he first noticed a bump on his neck. He decided to stop by the emergency room of a nearby hospital in the state; doctors told him to see his physician when he returned home.
About two weeks later, LaSalle's doctor diagnosed him with gastric cancer.
LaSalle, the executive director of Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, now finds himself a patient at Burke Hospice. Doctors gave him three to five months to live if he decided to forgo treatment. LaSalle began chemotherapy sessions Sept. 28.
Even with the treatment, LaSalle said, 72 percent of gastric cancer patients die within two years.
"All the cancer patients I see die. They don't make it," LaSalle said of the despair he felt. "I just felt doomed."
But since then, LaSalle said he's met a variety of cancer patients during his hospital visits. And as a patient at Burke Hospice, LaSalle is experiencing firsthand the care the organization delivers.
"I didn't know what our patients went through, and now I know," LaSalle said.
LaSalle has worked in hospice for 14 years; he's spent the past seven as the executive director at Burke Hospice.
"Working with hospice helped prepare me for my own death," LaSalle said.
LaSalle said the medical services he has received in the area are phenomenal, and is glad he did not choose to seek healthcare outside of the county.
"When life becomes limited it becomes more precious," LaSalle said. "My perspective on life has drastically changed."
Though the diagnosis and treatment are serious, LaSalle still finds the time to laugh ("Humor is important," he said.)
An outpouring of love, concern and support from the community also helps keep his spirits up.
"I've never been treated so kindly in my life," LaSalle said.
His co-workers have helped him cope with his hair loss from chemo. LaSalle continues to work regularly, but not with a full work load.
Ten days after his a chemo session, LaSalle's hair began to fall out. At first LaSalle gave his hair a trim, but as hair continued to fall out, he chose to shave his head.
"It was hard for me," LaSalle said of going to work without hair. He wore a hat that day.
With an emotion roughened voice, LaSalle said the next day all his employees were in the hallway wearing smiles. They beckoned him forward and to Dr. Leon Goudas' office.
"He had a bald head," LaSalle said. "When someone does it for you..."
Goudas reminded LaSalle to take his hat, but he didn't need it anymore. LaSalle said he wears a hat now to keep his head warm.
"If I hear anyone snickering, ah, they're just laughing at Dr. Goudas," LaSalle said with a laugh.
"I don't care how I look anymore," LaSalle, who has also lost 45 pounds, said. "It's how you feel inside...Beauty is from within."
LaSalle said where he draws the most strength from is God.
"Being straight with God" comforts LaSalle, and saying it brings a certain calm over him.
For now, LaSalle is seeing the Burke Hospice's new 14-bed patient facility through to completion. Construction on the project began less than a year ago, and LaSalle is set to receive the keys next month.

Burke Hospice Executive Director now a patient

Role Reversal

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