Testimonials

In the fall of 2023,  I had the good fortune of working with Melissa Wood in her role as an End of Life Doula.

A wonderful new friend in my community, without family or much support, asked me to accompany her on her dying journey.  Having debilitating health symptoms, she chose to hasten her death by using VSED (Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking).  I had some background knowledge, but I had never supported someone as fully as she needed during her last days, so I reached out to Melissa for support.  I was going to be a modest version of a death doula for my friend, and Melissa was willing to serve as support for me, as a teacher and mentor, as I went along.

Over the course of a couple of months, Melissa helped me understand what I was experiencing and what to anticipate lay ahead.  She reviewed specific pieces of information I would need to know.  She sent me references and articles to help educate me.  She checked in regularly with awareness of what was underway, what might be needed and how I might want support.  Although we were miles apart, in Melissa I had an experienced guide a phone call away.  She made it possible for me to be present, calm, confident for my friend who relied on me to see her through the end.

The experience was meaningful and went relatively smoothly to a significant extent because of Melissa’s knowledge, expertise and reassurances were available to help guide me through.  I think she’s the best!

I can’t speak highly enough of Melissa Wood and her dedication to her clients. A friend of mine had relocated to San Antonio to be near her sister as her health declined drastically. However, her sister had no experience with finding proper care for someone so ill, and my friend asked me for help. I found Melissa’s contact information in the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance directory, and she responded to my call quickly. Melissa helped my friend get set up for hospice care and found a new health care facility that could provide my friend with the appropriate care during her last days. She was a relentless advocate for my friend, constantly following up with hospice and the health care facilities to make sure my friend’s needs and wishes were addressed.

My friend’s condition had impacted her memory, and Melissa calmly answered her questions, no matter how many times my friend asked the same question. My friend told me several times how happy she was with all of Melissa’s efforts. Melissa also helped explain the dying process to my friend’s sister and me and clearly answered all of our questions too.

When my friend was in the very final stages of her life, Melissa even spent a night watching over her, so that her sister could get some well-needed rest. All of Melissa’s efforts resulted in my friend being able to pass comfortably and peacefully. Melissa far exceeded my expectations with this process, and I highly recommend her to anyone needing assistance with death.

Melissa was such an immense helping during the last few months of my wife’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. She was able to stay with my wife when I had to run errands and she had a great way of keeping my wife calm when she would become agitated. I’m so glad that she was there… she helped prepared me for my wife’s death with a very calm presence. If you have a loved one who is terminal, I can’t recommend her services enough. She has a very calm and patient presence. She’s able to bring a soothing energy to an otherwise chaotic situation and was able to help both of us. I highly recommend her.