From Emergency Room Nurse to End of Life Guide; My NDE inspired me to become a Death Doula.

I've dedicated my entire adult life to caring for others. I started out as an EMT when I was 18 years old and later went to college and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and worked in the ER as an emergency nurse. 

In 2013, I found myself hospitalized for over three months, most of it in the ICU, on a ventilator. I endured a series of daunting health challenges, including a blood clot in my lung, sepsis, kidney failure, and multiple abdominal surgeries resulting from a medical error - all culminating in a near-death experience (NDE).
 

Even though I was surrounded by friends and family, I was terrified and felt alone. My husband, an EMT himself, was completely overwhelmed and felt helpless.  We were young and had not yet completed any advance care planning. He was forced to be in a position to make medical decisions for me.
 

After ten months at home managing an ileostomy and a large open wound, I underwent a complete abdominal wall reconstruction in April, 2014. 
 

This profound journey taught me the art of surrender and filled me with an immense sense of compassion, for those that are facing a health crisis or end-of-life. I was no longer afraid of death. I emerged from this experience with a mission to support others in embracing death as a natural part of life and to create a space where it’s okay to talk openly about it.

I now work to educate others about their choices and options so that they can have a peaceful, personalized death experience. I've learned that by discussing death, we can lessen its fear and by planning, we can avoid unexpected outcomes.

I believe like birth, death can be a journey we navigate with love and courage, and I’m here to help guide others through this incredible transition.

I offer End-of-Life Guidance and Pre-Planning, Bedside Vigil Planning & Holding and Peer Grief Support both virtually and in-person, either in my Albuquerque office or in your home. 

Danielle Slupesky
(925) 766-6878 DeathDoulaDanielle.com