Fall 2023

A Year in Hospice Care Gives Brooks More Life

Brooks Manzeck found joy in simple things: walks, swinging, Legos, his blue tractor, sparkling water (he called it “water in a can”) and squishies. He had a big personality and a contagious giggle. In his too-short life, his parents, Chris and Kelly, and Agrace Hospice Care teamed up to help Brooks find as much joy as possible.

Gray (l) and Brooks

When Brooks was 16 months old, a fall led to tests that revealed an unexpected cause: a rare brain cancer that mainly affects children. Surgery, chemotherapy and three stem cell transplants left him temporarily cancer-free. Unfortunately, in July 2021, Brooks’ cancer returned—and no more curative treatment options were available.

“Brooks relapsed on July 13, and we were set up with Agrace Hospice Care on July 14,” remembers his mom, Kelly.

Nicole Strahm, the family’s Agrace nurse case manager, recalls, “When we first met him, he was only expected to live a few days. He was sleeping on the couch in the living room and was minimally responsive.

“But over the next week, he perked up. Within a month, he was back to being a typical three-year-old little boy—driving his toy tractor, running around and giggling non-stop.”

To help Brooks accept his care, his parents and care team offered him small prizes: a squishy or a Rolo. “He would joke with Nicole or the doctor about not being ready take his meds, but some things kids should never have to do; he just did it,” Kelly notes.

Brooks’ dad, Chris, recalls, “I remember the conversation we had when he lost mobility. He made a joke about it. It was the strangest thing! He was telling a story and he was really animated and just said, ‘Yep, my legs don’t work anymore!’ To anyone else, that’s a crushing blow to your lifestyle, but he just went with it.”

The Whole Family Is the Patient

With Kelly and Chris taking the lead in Brooks’ care, they had Agrace for support. “He was such a puzzle to them,” Kelly recalls. “In the beginning, we were told we had two weeks—and it was literally a year. He didn’t follow the rules of dying.”

Agrace RN Nicole Strahm examines Brooks during a home visit

“Nicole guided us through every decision, always with Brooks’ level of comfort in the front of her mind. She saw all of us at our best and worst. She shared in our highs and lows.” Their Agrace social worker, Peg Strange, built a strong connection with Brooks’ brother Gray, as well. She answered his questions in a kid-friendly way, Kelly notes.

As Brooks’ health declined, Kelly and Chris collaborated with their Agrace team regularly on changes to his medication and care needs. Chris says, “We had to lean on their expertise because they see this all the time. We needed someone to bounce ideas off of, and Nicole was our trusted advisor to all the providers who were overseeing his care.”

Both Nicole and Peg went to the Manzecks’ home the morning Brooks died. Peg shared time with Gray, while Nicole helped Chris and Kelly understand what would happen next. Chris carried Brooks downstairs, and he and Kelly lovingly placed him on the stretcher, with his favorite blanket and stuffed raccoon nestled close.

Nicole says, “It is impossible not to grieve with the family who has invited you into their home during such a precious and sacred time. Brooks had the best laugh; I can hear it right now. I will always remember him.”

When you donate to or volunteer with Agrace, you’re supporting high-quality nonprofit hospice care for patients of all ages across southern Wisconsin—and much more. Thank you! 

Register today to sponsor or join us for our 2023 benefit events; proceeds support Agrace’s mission of quality care across southern Wisconsin. Learn more here.

September 9: BANDing Together for Agrace, Dodgeville

Kick off your shoes and stretch those vocal cords as all-90s hit machine The Foo Foo Dolls headlines this benefit concert at Ley Memorial Pavilion at Harris Park. We’ll start the night with fan favorite the Alpha Romeos. You can take a chance at winning a Polaris Youth Outlaw 110 ATV, bid on fabulous silent auction items, enjoy beverages from the Dodgeville Fire Department and Bailey’s Run, and so much more. Tickets are $20 ($5 for kids) here or at the door.

September 11: Golf Open, Oregon

Join us at our new venue, The Legend at Bergamont. Limited spots are still available, so register today!

October 21: Sips & Sounds, Janesville

A Golden Night to Remember! Gather your friends and celebrate the 21^st birthday of Agrace’s annual Sips & Sounds benefit event at the Celtic House at Glen Erin Golf Club. Sip and sample crisp wines, cool craft beers, distilled delights and hearty tastes. Bid on fabulous finds during our silent and live auctions, and see if you can “make a deal” with a fun addition to the night’s festivities.

Congratulations, Future Nurses Scholarship Winners!

We support you as you pursue your career dreams.

Holly Krook-Castañeda

Grief Support Available en Español

Agrace Centro de Apoyo al Duelo ahora provee servicio en Español. Puede comunicarse con Holly, especialista en duelo comunitario bilingüe, al (608) 327-7024 para obtener mas información sobre los servicios que ofrecemos o para hacer una cita.  Los servicios están disponibles para cualquier persona sin importar su situación migratoria.

The Agrace Grief Support Center is now able to provide individual grief support to people who speak Spanish. Folks can reach out directly to our bilingual community grief specialist, Holly, at (608) 327-7024 to learn more or to schedule an appointment. We do not ask about citizenship or immigration status.

Resource: Care Tips for Families

To help families of our supportive care and hospice patients care for them between Agrace’s visits, we have a “Care Tips for Families” web page. These tips would also be helpful to anyone caring for a person who is seriously ill or has trouble moving around. Please share this page with anyone you think could benefit.