Advice From a Friend Facing Her Death
At present a number of my very close friends are dealing with cancer and other life threatening illnesses. Some of them are closer to facing their own imminent departure; indeed a sensitive time to traverse. One of these individuals is a girlfriend who was just recently admitted to the hospice/palliative program to receive added support. Comfort and pain management are now the primary focus. Rose’s journey is also twofold in that her partner and former caregiver died only
True Beauty
My hospice experience began when I was in my early thirties and married. On a weekly basis I would visit patients as a volunteer on the palliative unit in our local hospital. Prior to taking on this role I had never seen the physical changes in a body as someone neared death nor had I been with someone at the moment they took their last breath. I was both curious and afraid of what my initial response to such an event might be. Would I be strong enough in support for both
The Essence of Love
It had been weeks on a roller coaster of pain and exhaustion for Gordon (my husband). His spine was beginning to crumble from the various cancers and pain management was a challenge. The palliative doctor was visiting our home sometimes two and three times a week to adjust the medications. I was still working full time in hospice to pay the bills but up in the night with him, attending to his discomfort and care needs. Both of us were exhausted. Friends were an invaluabl
