Marv’s Story
Care team helps Clarksville patient revisit his favorite pastime
At 87 years young, Marvin “Marv” Bohlen of Clarksville has enjoyed his fair share of days on the golf course. Throughout his lifetime, he’s played rounds in Ionia, Denver, Greene, Tripoli, Rockford, Belmond – his favorite course – and CARD Inc. Golf & Country Club, his hometown club where he hit a hole-in-one on hole eight.
“My grandson said, ‘Grandpa, grandpa you got a hole-in-one!’ and I said, ‘Ain’t that the name of the game?’” Marv recalled with a smile.
Marv, who retired from a career in manufacturing 25 years ago, continues to lead an active lifestyle despite living with liver cancer. He has received hospice care for nearly two years and credits his Cedar Valley Hospice care team for helping contribute to his longevity. He chose to enroll in hospice care in September 2023 after a visit to the Waverly Health Center, where the team recommended hospice to help manage his pain.
When he chose Cedar Valley Hospice, Marv chose a team that cares for all aspects of his health – medical, emotional and spiritual. Over time, his care team, including nurse Angie, enjoyed his stories, quick wit and love for the game. So when he told Angie he probably wouldn’t be able to hit the links this summer, she made a plan.
“He joked about us going golfing together,” Angie said, “and when he said that he might have already played his last round, I was so sad.”
Angie brought up the possibility of taking Marv golfing to his care team. Then, using funds from Cedar Valley Hospice’s GEM (Gifts Enhancing Moments) fund, they arranged an afternoon to golf at CARD.
“I was going to mow the lawn and had gone to Casey’s and got a sandwich,” Marv said. “My daughter grabbed the sandwich out of my hand and said, ‘Get in the car.’ I didn’t know where I was going!”
While Marv was on his way to the course, Angie, alongside care team members Amy and Ella, set up lunch at the clubhouse – Casey’s pizza and soda. When Marv arrived, he was still surprised about why they were there and was overcome by emotion when he found out he was going golfing.
“When I got to the golf course and saw the gals in the clubhouse it just about made me cry, but I held it back,” Marv said. “It was a fun day.”
Everyone enjoyed the warm sun and the light breeze as they teed off. Marv especially enjoyed giving pointers to the team, some who had little experience.
“When I tell people I’m a hospice nurse, a lot of people say it must be so sad,” Angie said. “It can be, but they don’t think about moments like this. You build relationships with your patients, and you really care about them.”
“They’re wonderful people. I love them all,” Marv said. “They really care. Nurses come every week, the social worker every other week, and the chaplain too. They’re all wonderful people.”
Hospice is for more than your final weeks of life – it’s about improving quality of life regardless of the amount of time remaining. Those who have been diagnosed with a serious, life-limiting illness and have six months or less to live can qualify for hospice care. As Marv’s experience shows, it’s about more than managing pain and symptoms. It’s about Making Each Moment Matter.
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