Hospice and Palliative Care *Volunteerism Write-Off*
Written: Dec 02 '00 (Updated Dec 02 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great support in one of life's most trying times
Cons: none
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| francesca57's Full Review: Charity Organizations |
This review is my entry into the Volunteerism Write-Off. In the spirit of the upcoming Holiday Season, Jason (argonut) has organized this as a way to thank the groups who work tirelessly to help others, sometimes with little or no recognition, and certainly most without the necessary funding that they need.
This is also a tribute to my wonderful father, who passed away in September of 1986, decades before I was ready to let go of his indomitable spirit, his endless oasis of love and support, and the best and truest friend I have ever had.
A special thanks to Jason for this opportunity, and to my Daddy, still alive in my heart.
In February of 1986, just months after my wedding, my Dad was diagnosed with lymphoma, a form of cancer which affects the body's lymphatic system. I was devastated, but confident. I knew treatment would be unpleasant, but that he would be well again. I spoke with the doctors, and with my mother, and everyone assured me that the prognosis looked good. They all lied. The truth is my father was terminal, and although treatment would prolong his life for a short while, my father would never leave that hospital. My mother simply couldn't face the truth, and doctors, concerned about my newly discovered, high risk pregnancy, decided in their misguided wisdom, that I didn't need to know the truth.
I watched over the next couple of months, as my father's spirit slowly slipped from his body, leaving a shell of the man he once was. I watched as the pain became chronic, and the quality of life become less than any human should have to endure. I also became despondent, unable to handle what I was seeing, but refusing to admit that my father was slipping away. I began to visit less, as if long vigils by his bed would somehow validate what deep down inside I must have known all along - my beloved father was dying.
In April, my Dad passed away. I wasn't with him. Not only did I feel the indescribable loss of my father, but the enormous guilt of never having said all the things I wanted to, and would have, had I come to terms with his impending death. I also felt deeply ashamed that I had allowed myself to be so passive and helpless, not doing more to be his advocate at the hospital.
Recently, I became involved with a project that brought me in contact with an organization called Hospice & Palliative Care of Louisville. This unbelievably wonderful group of professionals and volunteers gives 200% of themselves to people in the position I and my father were once in, and have made the quality of life, and death, a so much more positive experience for hundreds of people.
What is Hospice & Palliative Care?
Hospice care is a program which treats terminally ill patients, keeping quality of life a foremost concern. Palliative care is the active, full service care of those patients. Together, these help end stage patients manage pain and the other side effects of their diseases, consider the psychological and spiritual aspects of the patient, offer help for families as well as patients, coordinate professional and family care for the patient, and hold fast to the theory that the benefits of treatment must be seriously weighed against the disadvantages.
Who Provides This Service?
Hospice care comes in the form of a team of professional caregivers and thoroughly trained volunteers. There are nurses and nursing assistants, physicians, social workers, chaplains and a variety of others who are trained in alternative and complimentary medical techniques such as music therapy, massage, Comfort Touch, and Healing Touch.
Cost
Hospice accepts all patients who are medically eligible for their care. No one is turned away because they don't have the financial resources. Although they accept Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance, a large portion of their funding comes from grants and donations.
Family Role
Hospice works with the family, not in its place. Together they forge a plan to supplement the family or primary caregivers care, and provide support and education for both the caregiver and the patient.
When Does Hospice/Palliative Care Start?
The decision to use Hospice care is not an easy one. When the decision has been made, it is at the same time that the patient and family have decided that curative care is no longer an option, meaning that they have accepted impending death. Because of this, there is no set formula. Each family and patient must decide this on an individual basis, and Hospice is there every step of the way to assist in the decision making process.
What I've Learned
When I first heard about Hospice, I couldn't help feeling sorry for myself. I spent a few sad days saying what if, over and over. But after my pity party was over, I realized what a wonderful service I had found, what an unbelievably dedicated, experience and talented group of people I had come to know, and how important it was for me to spread the word, instead of trying to rewrite the past.
Each of us will be in the position to need Hospice someday. Whether it be a parent, a friend or ourselves, death is inevitable. When you face this sad time in your life, I encourage you to find your nearest hospice care, and seek advice. Don't let yourself be in the position of self-doubt.
If you live in the Louisville, Kentucky area, and have the inclination to give a bit of time, talent or financial support to this fantastic organization, I urge you to make the call today. Perhaps just ask that some information be sent. You will be profoundly impressed.
When I first met some of the people at Hospice, I just couldn't figure out why anyone would want to spend their days working with patients who were facing a sure death. How could anyone stand the sadness and frustration day after day? When you get to know these people better though, you realize that death and dying need not be about sadness, but instead about the celebration of ones life, and the reaffirmation of the bonds they have had in life.
Whether it be someone from a Hospice, or anyone for that matter who spends some of their time making life better for others, tell them how great they are. Where would we all be without them? Better yet, become one of them.
Hospice and Palliative Care of Louisville
3532 Ephraim McDowell Drive
Louisville, Kentucky 40205
(502) 456-6200
(800) 264-0521
"You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give."
--Winston Churchill
For more information about this write-off and to read other reviews of fabulous organizations such as this, please check out the following url:
http://mynook.com/volunteer.html
argonut, bigjack, bgoodday, broadwaybaby, caleo, dlbrantley, jo.com, kelly60, nobody_knows, pokemonsick, redlass, sawasdee, soxfan, teskue, thundersangel & zoey123
Recommended:
Yes
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