Reflecting on my experiences as a volunteer with Ascend Hospice, I am moved by a vast range of emotions and sentiments: namely, grief for the patients I can no longer visit, gratitude for the stories I have had the privilege of unearthing, and compassion for the patients and families facing difficult decisions and experiences in … Continue reading “The End-of-Life Journey as a Companion”
Truly Caring
The relationship I built with my hospice patient took time, as most relationships do, but overall, it was quite enjoyable. At first, my patient appeared angry upon our meeting and just wanted to sleep—that is, until I started reading his book to him. Once the first reading began, he propped up and seemed to be … Continue reading “Truly Caring”
Accepting Impermanence
During the time I volunteered through the hospice program, one of the first patients I met was James, who surprised me with his positive outlook. He appeared pleasant and did not seem worried. He was very open about himself, his life, and how he ended up in hospice care. Initially, I had thought that most … Continue reading “Accepting Impermanence”
Hope in Death
Bony fingers, labored breathing, and the sound of the steady drip of morphine. Holding my aunt’s hand as more time passed between each breath, I thought, “Why am I pursuing a profession surrounding death?” With each loss I suffered, I thought back to my two friends who each lost their mothers to breast cancer at … Continue reading “Hope in Death”
What Hospice Volunteering Taught Me
Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic, my hospice group did not have the opportunities to visit very many patients. For example, I was only able to see two patients before our spring break. With that being said, I would most definitely have to say that my first hospice visit was actually the one that was … Continue reading “What Hospice Volunteering Taught Me”
Colliding Worlds: A Connection 77 Years Apart
The story of my relationship with Agnes does not unravel as a movie plot with shocking turns, plentiful clichés and joyous moments of great splendor. It was not a difficult connection but one that did require work, as there were times when I was unsure of what to say or whether my time spent with … Continue reading “Colliding Worlds: A Connection 77 Years Apart”
The Lessons of Hospice in a Time of Crisis
I wanted to share with you one of the most important experiences I had at hospice this year. I was visiting Sarah, who let me know that she anticipated this would be our last visit. I asked how she was feeling about that, and she told me that she felt it was going to be … Continue reading “The Lessons of Hospice in a Time of Crisis”
Music and Healing
Beth, Alice, and I walked into the community room of the memory ward. An ornamented tree stood in the corner and colorful lights adorned the ceiling. The residents were just finishing dinner; those self-reliant enough were feeding themselves at the dinner tables, while the more disabled residents were being spoon-fed from their beds. Judy, a … Continue reading “Music and Healing”
Crucial Elements to the Experience of a Good Death
Throughout my time with hospice, I have learned a lot about patient care as well as about death and dying. One of the most important things that I have learned is the concept of “a good death,” which is the most important thing to understand as a hospice volunteer as well as a patient-oriented physician. … Continue reading “Crucial Elements to the Experience of a Good Death”
How Hospice Volunteering Changed My Outlook on Medicine
Although my time was cut short as a hospice volunteer, it was an extremely meaningful experience for me overall. The initial training program taught me so much about ways to look at death and dying and how to help others cope with the pain and pressure that comes along with it. I now feel much … Continue reading “How Hospice Volunteering Changed My Outlook on Medicine”