Muff's Mission: Live Well and Worry Less, with Help from Palliative Care

Muff's Mission: Live Well and Worry Less, with Help from Palliative Care

by Kenyon Kemnitz

Don't call her Marlene. To her neighbors in Fort Atkinson, her close friends at church, and her Rainbow care team, she is simply 'Muff.” It’s a nickname she’s carried since childhood, born from a family reading of Little Miss Muffet and a brother’s quick-witted teasing —and it perfectly matches her sharp humor, and vibrant spirit.

Even with a serious heart condition, Muff Gentz isn’t just “getting by” each day. At 89 years old, she is still a regular sight behind the wheel of her car, navigating the streets of Fort Atkinson to pick up groceries or attend any medical appointments.

Being able to run her own errands isn’t just a chore for Muff, it’s evidence of a life well-lived and a dignity she refuses to surrender. She is living life entirely on her own terms.

“For getting groceries, I would just assume do that myself,” said Muff. “I kind of have a good time with all of that and if there's something new, I’ll say, ‘Oh I’ll try that.’ For my doctor or dentist appointments, they’re pretty close to my condo.”

But behind that fierce independence is a specialized support system that many people mistake for end-of-life care. Through Rainbow Palliative Care, Muff has found a way to manage her health where she feels most comfortable—at home.

Like many people, Muff originally thought hospice and palliative care were interchangeable terms, and a service reserved only for those with a short time to live and at the end of a cancer journey. She first encountered Rainbow years ago when her late husband, Grant, was receiving care. Because of that experience, she initially associated Rainbow with hospice but later realized it’s an organization that does so much more. It wasn't until she began her own journey with heart disease that she realized palliative care is a distinct, powerful specialty for managing chronic conditions and living longer and better.

"Managing patients is never a 'cookie-cutter' process," said Rainbow Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner Bethany Berg. “Every plan of care is individualized, goal-directed, and designed to support the patient’s quality of life in a way that is meaningful to them.”

While oncology often prioritizes medical treatment of the disease itself – utilizing therapies like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery to eliminate or control cancerous growth – palliative care follows a different blueprint. For Muff, that means focusing on energy conservation and building stamina and endurance so she can keep walking through the grocery store aisles and staying mobile each day. Bethany works with her to identify "high-energy" tasks and find ways to simplify them, so Muff doesn't wear herself out before the day is done. They focus on leg strength and stability—vital components for a woman who insists on doing her own shopping. In the world of palliative care, success isn't measured just by lab results, but by whether Muff has the strength to walk from her car to the post office.

“By having open and thoughtful conversations with Muff about what is most important to her, we are able to clarify her goals and help guide decisions about her future care.” Bethany said.

By working closely with all her doctors, the palliative team helps bridge the gap between office visits, ensuring Muff stays strong and out of the emergency room.

“We also explore holistic approaches, including lifestyle modifications, supplements, and dietary considerations, to optimize her cardiac health and overall well-being,” Bethany said.

Muff is living proof that this specialized layer of support is an important tool to maintain her active lifestyle.

One of the greatest benefits Muff finds is the convenience of care that comes to her. Traveling to a clinic can be difficult and stressful at times, especially during the unpredictable Wisconsin winters. A risk of a fall or her car battery dying is always on Muff’s mind. That’s why having Bethany visit her at home is a "real asset." These aren't rushed, 15-minute appointments in an exam room. Instead, they are unhurried, hour-long conversations often held in Muff’s "music room.” The walls are lined with a keyboard, bookshelves, and musical memories from her years as a teacher, and children’s theater/church choir director. This room is a sanctuary of her history. It’s where she and her beloved Grant—who served as a respected school administrator in Lake Mills—built a life centered on education and the arts.

"Bethany and I have a bond," Muff said. "She has a tremendously great sense of humor, which I like, but she’s also very informative to me."

This bond allows them to discuss serious topics in a relaxed environment where Muff feels more comfortable and her dignity is respected. They can chat about her desire to avoid invasive cardiac procedures or her goals for future care, without feeling intimidated by a ticking clock or a white coat.

“Home visits are beneficial in identifying what is most important to patients and assessing safety, mobility, and overall well-being within their own space,” Bethany said.

Muff is candid about her situation. She and her husband were unable to have children, and she has essentially no family left to lean on. In a healthcare system that often defaults to a “daughter or son” to act as the primary caregiver, Muff represents a rapidly growing population of “solo seniors” who are navigating the complexities of aging alone.

For Muff, the Rainbow care team provides a sense of security that goes far beyond medical checkups. They act as her clinical anchor and a surrogate family. When medical paperwork becomes overwhelming or complex decisions arise, the team steps in to ensure she isn’t just hearing the information but truly understands her options.

“Our team serves as a vital resource,” Bethany said. “Beyond the clinical guidance, we help Muff navigate the logistics of the healthcare system and identify community resources that help her maintain independence and sustain the lifestyle she enjoys every day. We aren't just treating a patient. We are providing the advocacy and peace of mind that every senior deserves, regardless of their family structure.”

While Muff wears a safety button around her neck and maintains a network of helpful neighbors and close friends, she knows Rainbow also cares about her well-being.

She recalls a time when she had a fall after receiving two vaccinations in one day—a moment of overambition that caught up with her.

"Knowing that I can call if I have some problems lets me stay in my own home," Muff explained. “Nurse Joani (Robertson) is also wonderful. She’s so caring and when I had my fall, called to see how I was doing. It's such a comfort to know they're there.”

Having a team that knows her history, her home layout, and her personality means that when those "hiccups" happen, she isn't navigating them alone.

A common misconception is that choosing palliative care means leaving your regular doctors behind. But in reality, it’s just the opposite. Rainbow Palliative Care doesn't replace Muff’s regular doctors. Instead, it acts as a partner to Muff’s primary care provider and her specialists. Bethany collaborates closely with them to ensure everyone is on the same page and aligned with Muff’s goals.

This coordination extends to her physical health as well. Bethany has worked alongside the FOX Rehabilitation team to ensure Muff stays strong. By focusing on her physical stability and managing her energy levels, the team ensures that Muff’s daily routine isn't compromised by her heart condition.

“I collaborate closely with the therapists, maintaining open and effective communication regarding any increase in pain, functional changes, or specific concerns,” Bethany said. “The physical therapy/occupational therapy team works with patients on strengthening, balance training, and safe performance of daily activities, all aimed at maximizing independence and supporting patients in continuing the activities that matter most to them.”

Muff recalls a moment that epitomized this level of care. When Rainbow’s recently retired Medical Director, Dr. Thom McGorey, visited her at home, he took a call in her music room and then spent time genuinely admiring her keyboard and her vast collection of books. Muff thought that was almost "unheard of" in today’s world. It was a return to an older, more personal style of medicine where the doctor knows the patient as a person, not just a diagnosis. This collaboration ensures that Muff’s medical plan doesn't just treat her heart—it protects her lifestyle.

This level of personalized, "old-school" attention is rare in modern medicine, but it is the standard for the Rainbow team.

The partnership provides a vital safety net for a woman living on her own who must navigate complex medical decisions. Whether it’s coordinating with physical therapists to keep her legs strong or providing education on her heart health, the focus is always on empowering Muff to stay safely in her own home.

Muff also values the time she spends with Bethany. She looks forward to their visits and is happy to have made a new friend.

“Bethany’s visits always brighten my day,” Muff said. “She's a wonderful person. We laugh a lot. And laughter, of course, is very good when you get to be my age.”

When her heart health began to clash with her desire for a wellness-focused, independent lifestyle, she didn't just need a doctor—she needed a team that respected her spiritual goals as much as her medical ones.

Faith is much more than just a Sunday activity for Muff. It serves as the cornerstone of her entire life. Though she can no longer drive to her congregation in Lake Mills, she remains deeply connected to her spiritual community through televised services and visits from her pastors.

“Spiritual goals and support are often just as significant to patients as their clinical goals and are incorporated into the overall plan of care,” Bethany said.

The palliative team honors this foundation by incorporating those goals into her daily care plan. They understand that for Muff, "wellness" includes her soul as much as her physical heart. Knowing she has a team she can call if a problem arises gives her the "peace of mind" she needs to focus on her health instead of her concerns.

"As far as being a cheerleader for Rainbow, I surely will do that," Muff said. "Palliative care takes away my worries and makes my life more settled. I am so grateful to have them.”

Through this shared journey, she isn't just managing a condition but is instead continuing to author the story of a life lived with grace, humor, and the unmistakable spirit of a woman who everyone simply knows as “Muff.”