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 that each family receives along the way from their hospice team.
During my time in the hospice program, I have had the privilege to visit with patients both in the hospital and in nursing homes, as well as recently speaking to them on the phone. My first visit was the one that placed this program into perspective for me. The first patient I had the chance to visit at Allegheny General Hospital was alone, yet one of the youngest hospice patients to date. To my surprise, she seemed extremely optimistic; not that she would get better or survive the infection, but that she would soon be in a much better place with no pain or frustrations. She referred to this as her journey beyond time – her new beginning. I understood that her view was faith-based, but I did not realize until a later visit, that this optimism was instilled in her by her hospice team. She explained that because of her wonderful team, she felt that she had a family and everyone was doing their part to make her and her transition as comfortable as possible.
This phrase that the patient described – a journey beyond time – really stuck with me. It made me realize that life may not be as clear cut as it seems. We often see life as a journey through time and once our time ends, we (or those who have cared for us) have failed. I recognize now, that is not the case. Just because a human life in this world has come to an end, it does not mean that end is synonymous with failure. It instead means that this physical body is ready for rest, but memories and, in some cases, souls (depending on religious views), transition beyond time.
As a pre-med student, this valuable viewpoint on end-of-life care has undoubtedly aided me in my career choice. I have always wanted to be a pediatric physician of some sort, but I have never been comfortable with the idea of possibly not being able to save a child. I have since realized that sometimes medicine is just not enough; and in extreme circumstances, the best possible option for some patients is to pursue comfort measures only. With this new transitional view of death, I feel that I have the confidence to pursue my career choice without fear that my best may not be good enough.
Human lives are undoubtedly precious, yet we do not need to view the ends of them as failures or defeats. Thankfully, the hospice program is here to help passing patients and their families with smooth and peaceful transitions. I am forever grateful for this life-altering experience that I have been exposed to as a young doctor-in-training.