Episode 09: Leslie Buller-Hayes, Life in the ICU

Episode 09:  Life in the ICU - Leslie Buller-Hayes, ICU Nurse, Death Doula, Stonehedge Transitions

 

Leslie Buller-Hayes is an ICU Nurse and end of life doula who is fueled by a commitment to fostering open, authentic conversations, providing compassionate support, and guiding others towards embracing the natural cycle of life with dignity and peace. In this episode Leslie shares her experiences in the ICU and what happens for families when their loved one is in ICU.  She focuses on the impact when there has been no advance care planning, or no conversations about what matters most to the patient; as well as how some key intentional actions of ICU staff can help make this traumatic situation just a bit easier for families.   

Leslie also talks about how ICU staff also suffer in these experiences and how she takes solace in her involvement in The Three Wishes Project.  A project intended to bring back the human aspects of these experiences, and acknowledges for families that their person mattered, and they are not alone in their loss, while also helping ICU staff in navigating the grief that comes from working in such an intense and emotional critical care environment.   

Leslie undoubtedly believes that given our death is more certain than our next birthday, we all need to have a solid plan in place. 

Leslie IS making a difference for individuals and families and does whatever she can to help us all appreciate the importance of planning and preparation.  Her real-life experiences illustrate why this is so important for all of us. 

 

ABOUT LESLIE BULLER-HAYES: 

Leslie Buller-Hayes is the founder and owner of StoneHedge Transitions: End of Life Doula Services, a compassionate initiative aimed at providing support and guidance to individuals and families navigating all aspects of the often-tumultuous journey of end-of-life.  

She is also a seasoned Registered Nurse (RN) with over three decades of experience, primarily specializing in Critical Care. Her dedication to patient care and her understanding of the complexities of health in times of critical illness have been the cornerstone of her remarkable career.  

Leslie is an advocate for redefining societal attitudes towards death and dying. Recognizing the importance of education and open dialogue, she actively engages in promoting awareness and understanding surrounding end-of-life experiences. As a death educator and change agent, Leslie strives to challenge misconceptions and foster a culture of acceptance and empowerment in facing life's most profound inevitability.  

Leslie is on a mission to transform the narrative surrounding dying and death. Through her multi-faceted roles as a healthcare professional, entrepreneur, advocate, learner, and educator, she continues to inspire positive change, leaving an indelible mark on the lives she touches.  

 

Links to be shared:  

http://www.stonehedgetransitions.ca/ 

 https://www.facebook.com/StonehedgeTransitions 

 https://3wishesproject.com/ 

 

LEARN ABOUT DEATH DOULA NETWORK INTERNATIONAL 

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Music provided by Dee Flat and the Benz, used with permission.