Hello hospice!
| 3.5 minutes reading time
Three years ago, after my own open-heart surgery, I decided to give something back to other people in addition to my paid work. My wish was to offer a listening ear and a helping hand to people who felt unhappy, insecure or sad, because of a major operation or because of an approaching end. This is to bring the peace that is so desperately needed for acceptance and/or recovery.
I met a GP 'by chance. This GP was one of the initiators of a hospice. He talked passionately about what he had started and where he assisted the people with so much love and attention. A team of 80 volunteers, a care team of 12 permanent (paid) nursing staff and a whole group of general practitioners together with a senior doctor run the hospice. Everyone is welcome and there are various regulations on the basis of which you are entitled to a place in the hospice (about this, – legislation – insurance – regulations, more later).
The first acquaintance
When I got up, I discovered a healthy dose of tension in my body. I really wanted this and at the same time I was also a bit afraid of what I was going to encounter. After all, the people who live in the hospice are not there because of a runny nose or a cold, but often because of an unpleasant condition in which the treatment of the illness has turned into an introduction or guidance to death. The transition from life to ...... yes to what exactly?
I made the ride of about 35 minutes in silence. There was a free spot in front of the door and energetically I walked to the door and pressed the bell. The door opened and a friendly, mother-like lady opened it. She introduced herself as Anna, my supervisor of the day.
This was followed by a meeting with the location manager, Dr. B. At her office, she told us that the executive doctor would soon join us to go through the residents (that's what they are called, never patients) one by one. There were six at this point. In a very respectful and pleasant way, B. went through the residents one by one.
- How do they feel today?
- What did they eat and drink?
- Have they had visitors or do they still have them?
- How is their state of mind?
- Do they need spiritual help?
- How does the medication work?
- How is the family, or the family?
""The transition from life to ... yes to what, actually?" "
""The transition from life to ... yes to what, actually?" "
Visiting the residents
After the statuses had been discussed, Dr. B. asked me if I wanted to walk with him along the residents. The doctor knocked softly on the closed door. A friendly "Come on in" was shouted from the other side. Doctor B. asked if it was okay for someone else to come along who was coming to do some kind of internship and would like to follow and do some conversations. A Rotterdam "Fine" followed, as an answer. Mr. W. turned out to be a big guy. A giant of a guy who had little left of it in terms of mass.
A few curious and sometimes fierce eyes sought contact with the 'new'. "Yes, my dear, stomach cancer," said W. "Then there won't be much left of you. But I can't complain because now I'm eating again and it still tastes good to me. This miracle doctor gave me something that made me go from 'feeling really bad and nauseous' to 'craving a croquette sandwich' and 'just sitting up straight again' within half a day. That man is an artist. I thought it was my last hours, but now we're three weeks later!" He laughed, clearly pleased with the result. "For the time being, I can still enjoy myself and it's easy to do here. More than fine."
Go Holland, let's go!
So that was a boost, this person may not have had long left and there wasn't much left of the once sporty big guy, but he was still there and could still laugh. I dared to look around a bit. Everything was orange. Of course, the World Cup... Scarves from a bygone era, photos of famous football players, tickets and texts decorated the room of this football fan.
Pictures of the children and grandchildren, sweet notes with beautiful texts were hung, standing and lying everywhere. Mr. W. saw that I was taking in the surroundings and suggested that I take some cards and letters and read them. "Look, they are all equally sweet and I am proud and grateful for that! Life was kind to me.
I have incredibly beautiful people around me." Dr. B. went through the medication and asked if the pain relief was enough and if Mr. W. was still eating so much, how his state of mind was. "Are you afraid? Are there things you're worrying about? Can you talk well with the children and grandchildren, has everything been said? Do you still stand by your choice of farewell and the way in which it was done?", were questions he asked. Then we left to finish our round and talk to the other residents. The approach was the same for everyone, but the chat was personally tailored every time.
I decided to go back to Mr. W. to talk further. You can read about that conversation in the next blog.
