Training day

Published on February 14, 2006 By dharmagrl In Misc

I got the notification in the mail on Saturday. I recognized the return address on the envelope as I scrabbled to open the envelope. I hate envelopes, they seem to have a conspiracy against me whenever I WANT to get into them and refuse to yield to my fingers and reveal their contents.

When I managed to pull the letter free I unfolded it and quickly scanned for my name. There it was, halfway down. I've been accepted for volunteer training at the hospice, the first part of which is next Saturday.

I have to be there at 8am, and the training lasts all day. I was planning on taking a sack lunch, but they said not to bother because they'd be providing brunch, lunch, snacks, water, sodas and coffee for us. I was planning to take my notebook, but again, they said not to bother. They're providing pens, penchils, binders and paper for us, free of charge.

All of that makes me want to go volunteer there even more. They obviously appreciate their volunteers - nowhere that I've ever volunteered at before has provided all that for me at a training session. That's not why I'm doing it, of course; I'd still volunteer for them even if I had to feed myself and someone else at the training. It is nice to not have to worry about taking anything with me, though.

I'm going to have to sign a form giving them permission to run a criminal history on me on Saturday. I'm going to be working directly with the patients, see, and they have to be careful about who they let get involved with people who are vulnerable the way their patients are. I don't think it'll be a problem; that state ran one on me when I applied to be a notary and didn't see anything they didn't like.

I think that they're going to have me do a number of things with the patients. I've said that I'm willing to come and give people manicures and do their hair and makeup (and if they don't have hair because of chemotherapy, I'll knit them a chemo cap out of fun fur), and they liked that idea. I've also said that I'd like to do some massage therapy with people. Human touch is incredibly important, and I'd like to be able to connect with people in that way.

I'm really excited about this training day....I can't wait to get started!!!

Comments

MarcieMoo

on Feb 14, 2006

I can't tell you how incredibly important hospice care was for my family and I during the deaths of my father and my grandfather. We had such a big family that things like errands and bathing and such weren't a big deal, but there are lots of terminally ill people out there who aren't as fortunate as my family.

Even though it's been 7 years since my father passed, we still see the nurses around my hometown, and they still remember us and hug us and ask us how we're doing. The nurses are important, but hospice volunteers--the people who run those errands, sit and read with a patient and hold a hand, or willingly and lovingly knit those chemo caps are equally important to families dealing with a huge battle in front of them.

I think it's a great thing you're doing. Go you. And...thank you...from someone who's needed hospice.

dharmagrl

on Feb 14, 2006

I think it's a great thing you're doing. Go you. And...thank you...from someone who's needed hospice

Thanks, Marcie. It's nice to hear from someone who's been on the other side of the fence, who has had a relative who's needed hospice care.

The aim of the hospice I'm going to work for is to provide as much comfort and support for their patient's last days as they can. I'm there to assist that goal in any way I can. It's not going to be easy, I know that. But I think that it's going to be worth it.

JillUser

on Feb 14, 2006

My friend who died last February died in hospice care. I don't know how she or her family would have dealt with such a painful end without it. I have so much respect for you being able to face death that way. I personally think I am too much of a coward for such work. I am positive it will be highly rewarding work. Being able to make a difference in peoples' live during their last days must be an incredible experience. It takes a very strong person to be able to connect with people who they know won't be around for long.

I have a friend who worked with terminally ill children. She wasn't able to do it for more than a year because it just got to her too much. She actually had to seek counseling for a while. She is still glad she was able to do it while she could.

I am also thankful for people like you Karen. People who are willing to selflessly put themselves out there to ease the suffering of others. Best wishes with such important work.

thatoneguyinslc

on Feb 15, 2006

Volunteering for a hospice is one of the most noble things a person can do IMHO.

Good on ya Dharma

MarcieMoo

on Feb 15, 2006

I've thought about working in a hospice as like a social worker. I've got the experience. I know what grief is about. I can imagine the gammut of emotions a terminally ill patient might be dealing with.

But then...I don't know if I could do it. Gosh...you'd just get so attached. Someone would remind me of my dad, or a kind old man with a willing smile would remind me of my grandfather. And then I'd lose it. And if you're a professional, you really can't go losing it all the time.

That might be the toughest part for you, K...being there, but making sure you have the appropriate amount of distance, which isn't always easy to gauge.

Let me know how it goes. I might just have to see if there's something I can do for our local hospice here...even if it's just a grocery run for a family.

dharmagrl

on Feb 17, 2006

Being able to make a difference in peoples' live during their last days must be an incredible experience. It takes a very strong person to be able to connect with people who they know won't be around for long.

I guess my reasons for volunteering are basically because I want to make a difference to people who don't have a lot of time left. A lot of people don't want to visit with people who are terminally ill because they don't know what to say or do, or because they're afraid of the pain that will come from losing that person when they die. I'm not afraid of the pain, and whilst I don't have a ton of things in mind to say to a person, I think that simply being there to visit or to read to them or give them a hand or foot massage...well, those actions can say more than any words ever could.
I'm not scared of having to say goodbye....especially if I know that what I did for that person made a difference and that my actions made that person happier, more comfortable or just made them feel a little better somehow. Yes, it's going to hurt, and yes, I'm going to cry and grieve, but....it's going to be worth it, I think.

Volunteering for a hospice is one of the most noble things a person can do IMHO

I think so too, but I don't think that I'm deserving of being called 'honorable'. Maybe in a few weeks after I've experienced the reality of it, but not right now. Thank you for the compliment, though. I'm not very good at accepting them, as you can tell!

Let me know how it goes. I might just have to see if there's something I can do for our local hospice here...even if it's just a grocery run for a family.

I will, but I think you'd be surprised at the number of ways a person can volunteer for a hospice. If you call your local hospice and ask to speak to the volunteer coordinator; they'll be able to tell you what services they really need.

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