Unexpected Support During a Loving Couple’s Hardest Chapter

Candy Lagace (left) and Barb Bruns-Squires (right) sitting together at Wellness Way in Latham, NY.

When you ask Candy (Carol) Lagace about her health insurance, she doesn’t hesitate. “I would never use any other insurance company besides CDPHP.”

For Candy, that sentiment grew from the support she and her husband Larry received during a life-altering health battle.

A Life Well Lived

Candy and Larry built their life in New York’s Capital Region. They were married for 60 years, raised three children, and have six grandchildren.

Larry was active, independent, and ran his own speaker repair business for years. He always said he had a wonderful life.

Eight years ago, what began as a precautionary calcium CT scan turned into something unexpected: kidney cancer. That scan, Candy says, “saved his life.” Larry underwent surgery that successfully removed his kidney and a tumor in his lung.

A Sudden Turn

In April 2025, Larry fell down the stairs at home and fractured several ribs. What initially seemed like a fall-related setback led to something far more serious. After continuing weakness and subtle neurological symptoms, an MRI revealed a brain lesion.

Larry spent six days at Albany Medical Center and radiation followed. His mobility declined from cane to walker to wheelchair. When he was discharged from the hospital, the weight of the diagnosis was overwhelming for Candy. That’s when Barb, an LPN and CDPHP Transition Coordinator, stepped in.

More Than a Phone Number

As part of the CDPHP Hospital to Home program, Barb reached out to Candy after Larry was discharged from the hospital to help them with the transition back home.

“When someone is discharged from the hospital with such a heavy diagnosis, even the smallest thing can be overwhelming,” Barb says. “I was able to support Candy and Larry throughout Larry’s transition by being a constant support, a sounding board, and sometimes just a friendly voice.”

For Candy, having a consistent point of contact meant everything.

“I was able to call Barb and always talk to the same person who knew what was going on. I couldn’t have asked for someone better.”

Barb helped coordinate paperwork, worked with Larry’s physician to secure a rollator, connected Candy to community support resources, and ensured authorizations moved through quickly. Working alongside Candy, she also played a role in setting up Larry at Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center where he spent nine weeks.

And when Larry eventually transitioned home with hospice care, Candy knew she still had a person there for support.

“CDPHP made the process much easier. Someone always answers the phone when I call. They are always pleasant, caring, and helpful.”

Honoring a Life Well Lived

Larry passed away on September 9, 2025, at 81 years old. Candy now finds comfort in small rituals. She writes to Larry in a journal each day, quilts, rereads the cards from their 60^th anniversary celebration, and shares home-cooked meals with family and friends.

She also gives back every week, volunteering with the NYOH Community Cancer Foundation, which helps families with financial support when they’re navigating cancer.

Through it all, she remains grateful. “I can’t thank you all enough for making this difficult life transition a little easier.”

At CDPHP, we believe health insurance should be more than claims, because when life changes in an instant, your health plan should stand beside you, not between you and the care you need.

Comments are closed.