Throughout the hospice program I have learned more about death, myself, and the patients that I visited. One patient that has impacted my life is Lauren. She was always so happy when we would visit her. While some patients were moody or did not feel like talking that day, Lauren always caught sight of us and would say, “I’m so glad you came to visit me again.” Her kindness and empathy really touched my heart and made me feel appreciated and I’m sure we made her feel appreciated.
At the beginning of this program, I was nervous to visit the patients in case they didn’t want visitors or if they were in pain. While some of the patients whom I visited were reluctant to have visitors, there were some like Lauren who loved to share their story. Lauren loved to talk to us, and I appreciated how energetic she was despite being in a hospice facility. She would tell us about her life, her husband, her children, and all the trouble she would get into when she was younger. It was really wholesome and calming to hear her recall of these memories. Even though she would repeat the same story, I loved how it would make her reflect and smile. She was also very funny and always a joy to be around.
Occasionally, she would talk about her pain or be a little sad but it would only be temporary because she would soon get lost in conversation. In a way, from the few times that I visited her, she began to feel like a grandmother to me. She would ask us about our life and how we would spend holidays. One instance that really stuck with me was when we were about to leave and she asked if she could give us a kiss. We were a bit surprised by this request but also thought it was endearing. She gave us all kisses on our foreheads as if we were her grandchildren or someone in her family. It is these little moments that I remember: the smiles, the laughs, and the kisses. Even though most patients did not have the same amount of energy as Lauren, they also showed appreciation for us in their own ways whether it be a simple smile or having a conversation with us.
This hospice volunteer program has emphasized to me how important it is to just be there for patients. Whether they are verbal or not, they appreciate company, and many love to tell their stories. I will definitely cherish and keep all these memories as I continue my medical career. Even though doctors may not have as much time as volunteers to stay and chat, I want my future patients to feel appreciated and respected.