How To [vil-helm] #143: 11-09-2025 Honoring Our Caregiving Hero, Embracing the Promise of New Horizons

This week brings a bittersweet milestone as we bid a heartfelt farewell to our truly incredible clinical dietitian, JB, who has been nothing short of a hero in Alyce's journey. Her departure is a powerful testament to Alyce's remarkable progress, signifying a huge step forward and a wonderful "graduation" from needing dedicated in-person support.

Graduating from Care: A Heartfelt Farewell and New Beginnings

They say the only difference between a clinical dietitian and a superhero is that the superhero never asks you about your daily fiber intake! This week, we're sharing a bittersweet milestone: a heartfelt goodbye to our incredible clinical dietitian and true hero, JB. Her departure marks one of the biggest steps yet in Alyce's journey.

It's a powerful testament to Alyce's progress and means we're officially graduating from needing her dedicated, in-person support.

For two years since Alyce came home from the hospital, JB has been our indispensable rock. You know Alyce's condition involves difficulty swallowing, making the critical task of safely providing enough calories a constant challenge. In this high-stakes environment, JB truly shined, providing essential guidance and a clear framework: always set a goal, and always follow up. This goal setting was paramount; it's how we measured progress, and frankly, how she measured us!

Without a doubt, JB’s greatest strength is her empathy. She's the kind of professional who doesn't just give you numbers but truly understands why you might be crying into your coffee cup while trying to reach them.

Her collaboration with Katerina has been legendary – think peanut butter and jelly! They formed a powerhouse team, ensuring Alyce stayed safe, healthy, and on track. My role? I simply put my trust in their process and nodded along wisely. I trusted JB, I trusted Katerina, and most importantly, I trust Alyce. Together, we've truly achieved great things.

JB's influence wasn't limited to our home; she was a master collaborator within Alyce's wider medical ecosystem. She consistently partnered with other medical staff, using her specialized knowledge to seamlessly integrate with the broader care plan. Our dietitian proved you can be a quiet leader who genuinely uplifts those around you. Her ability to work across boundaries with respect, grace, and characteristic humor made our challenging journey smoother and more cohesive.

Beyond her clinical skill, JB truly embodies the person I strive to be: friendly, smiling, and happy. Despite an often impossible workload, she always entered the room with a steadfast, positive approach and a smile that instantly put us at ease.

Through our journey, we’ve learned a profound truth: it's not just the job; it’s the person. The right individual makes all the difference. For me, JB has become a true friend, someone I’d invite for coffee just to shoot the breeze.

As Alyce's birthday approaches, we're filled with gratitude. To be honest, JB signing off feels exactly like taking off the training wheels. For two years, we had that vital safety net. Now, JB has officially declared the nutritional mission complete, knowing Kat is doing an amazing job! It's up to Kat and me to take the baton and continue this journey. The pressure is certainly on, but we feel prepared and confident.

So, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you, JB, for absolutely everything.

Thank you for becoming part of our family, for imparting the confidence, knowledge, and sense of humor we needed. We wish you the very best for the future – and though my golf game is terrible, I truly hope you enjoy the golf course! We deeply appreciate everything you’ve done and look forward to staying in touch.

Take care,

Damian, Kat and Alyce