Atul Gawande claims that the first fear of being a doctor stems from believing you should always be able to fix a problem when it is presented to you. Gawande said that most physicians are anxious because they feel the pressure to consistently appear competent, and if something goes wrong, they view it as a … Continue reading “Seeing the Beauty in Death”
Category: Athena Hospice Program
this is for posts in the category of Athena Hospice
Embracing Ephemerality
Before I started this program, I hadn’t given much thought to what the end of life is like. I didn’t like to think about death, and frankly, it’s because it scared me. In our culture, death is seen as the shutting of a door, an end to all things that we hold dearest, and something … Continue reading “Embracing Ephemerality”
More to Medicine
Before I became an Ascend Hospice volunteer, I read the book Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. In the book, Dr. Gawande discusses how technological advances in medicine have completely changed the way we think about dying and well, the way we die. I was particularly moved by Dr. Gawande’s mention of the worsening of health … Continue reading “More to Medicine”
More Than A Patient
It feels just like yesterday that I visited my first hospice patient in the hospital. I can attest that it was one of the most nerve wracking experiences I had undergone. I felt like there were certain things that I had to say, and I had to say them at the right times in order … Continue reading “More Than A Patient”
Making Music and Becoming Human
My time in the Memory Unit of my local hospice was absolutely transformational. I was fortunate enough to volunteer with two musicians, so we formed a musical trio and performed for some of the patients. It was astounding to see music’s power in these moments. Unfortunately, these people were losing or had lost many of … Continue reading “Making Music and Becoming Human”
Minimizing Loneliness
With all that has been going on in the world with coronavirus, I have had a lot of time to think about what makes life so meaningful. I have come to the conclusion that one of the most important things in my life is human interaction. The past few weeks, despite feeling like I am … Continue reading “Minimizing Loneliness”
A Celebration of Life
There comes a time when everyone must reflect on their past. Whether it be in the face of a challenge or at the end of life, we can find ourselves dwelling on our failures or reliving joyous moments. Fortunately, many of us are able to extract meaning and impactful lessons from our past, and this … Continue reading “A Celebration of Life”
Grapling with Death: The Bigger Picture
The pre-med hospice volunteer program has reduced and reshaped my fear of death. Coming into the program, I knew that my fear of death was irrational since it is inevitable. I was scared nonetheless because it is unknown. My religion, Christianity, does offer some comfort (as most religions do) but it does not completely eliminate … Continue reading “Grapling with Death: The Bigger Picture”
Accepting My Ignorance
I wanted to volunteer for a hospice program after reading Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. Before reading that book, I believed that a good life was a long life and that the role of doctors was to extend the life of their patients. I had never considered what a good death was or what it … Continue reading “Accepting My Ignorance”
How “Toby’s” Lessons of Patience and Kindness Will Shape the Doctor I Hope to Become
When I first met Toby, he was quietly seated alone in his room, barely watching the overly loud television playing in the background. The moment the volunteer coordinator and I walked in, his face lit up and maintained a smile for the entirety of our hour long visit. Even as we left, this man who … Continue reading “How “Toby’s” Lessons of Patience and Kindness Will Shape the Doctor I Hope to Become”