I wasn’t entirely sure how much I would or would not enjoy volunteering for hospice prior to doing so this academic year. I expected to gain new experiences connecting with older patients nearing the end of life, bed-side manners, and overall ways of managing topics surrounding death. I was pleasantly surprised that there was actually … Continue reading “The Content Mother”
Author: A Student
The Christmas Tree
Aaliyah was a patient in a lot of pain. She suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with chronic pain all over her body. Her bed was placed in the living room of a very small house, and the door that led outside was broken. For the nurse and I to get into the house, we … Continue reading “The Christmas Tree”
Intentionality and Awareness
Whenever I walk into Mary’s room, a blue notebook sits behind the armchair on the wall heater by the window. At the end of each visit, I pick up that notebook and describe the moments that I had with Mary for the past hour. I describe how Mary was feeling that day, whether she was … Continue reading “Intentionality and Awareness”
The Power of Compassion
The opportunity to visit with a centurion patient in my work as a hospice volunteer has broadened my understanding of the power of comfort care at the end of life. During our weekly visits, my patient often enjoys the companionship found in reflecting upon her life’s happiest moments. Singing along to her favorite hymns while … Continue reading “The Power of Compassion”
Training in the Beauty of Death
The first time I walked into Carol’s room, I had no idea what to expect, I was filled with nervous fear, not only of meeting someone new, but also of knowing that this person was close to the end of their life. How would I be able to build a connection with someone, knowing that … Continue reading “Training in the Beauty of Death”
How Hospice Care Has Changed My Outlook on Medicine
This hospice program has provided the perfect pre-medical experience to learn more about end-of-life care and has confirmed my aspirations of working in medicine. Through the video module training, group reflections, and biweekly prompts, I have been able to learn so much about hospice care and what it means to be nearing the end of … Continue reading “How Hospice Care Has Changed My Outlook on Medicine”
A Journey Beyond Time
Before I began this eye-opening program, I was fairly unfamiliar with hospice care and all the services that it offers. I understood that it was created to help dying patients and their families with a smooth transition from life to death. What I did not understand, however, was the untouchable level of compassion and accommodation … Continue reading “A Journey Beyond Time”
Peace and Understanding
As an aspiring physician, I have spent years learning about the intricate physiological processes that make our bodies function and the ways in which these processes can fail. I have been tested on the scientific aspects of medicine countless times already in my college years and will continue to be tested on them throughout my … Continue reading “Peace and Understanding”
When Two Artists Met
With a peaceful voice and a smile on her face, she looked at me and said, “go ahead and be a doctor.” That day turned out to be my last session with my patient, whom I will call Jane for the sake of privacy, before she passed away.. That day, she was pale and her … Continue reading “When Two Artists Met”
Companionship at All Stages of Life
Throughout the past few months as a hospice volunteer, the most important lesson illustrated to me is the essential nature of companionship at all stages of life. As a young person and college student with a strong family network, it can be easy to take for granted the consistency opportunities for conversation. Unfortunately in the … Continue reading “Companionship at All Stages of Life”