feb 27 2010
1:00 - 2:10pm
------ carl -------
i visited him first..... he was sleeping when i entered his room but when he heard my voice he opened his eyes..... i found him embracing his stuffed animals, a rabbit and a dog, which i thought was really cute.... it reminded me of the phrase "there's a child in everyone of us".... i asked carl what the names of his pets were he uttered something which i really can't hear so i just nodded and smiled and told him those were beautiful names..... he started talking and again im having difficulty understanding what he's saying sometimes but i dont want to strain him by asking him to repeat what he's saying so again i just nodded and smiled...when he became silent i told him im going to read him a book.... i found a book w/ lots of short stories in travelling and that's what im starting to read for my patients from now on...
------ gracey -------
she was awake when i entered her room and she looked like she's not comfortable because she was twisting and pulling her blanket a lot..... i remember during my hospice volunteer training, they mentioned how dying patients tend to be restless....... anyway, her blanket caught my attention..... it's knitted and the thread colors are really cool to the eyes and and it felt so soft and comfortable! i helped her adjust the blanket when i saw her trying to pull it, that's how i knew the texture..... anyway, i complimented her blanket..... she looked pleased with that and she smiled at me.... i told her i'm going to read to her again, to which i did....
Monday, March 1, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
waking up early
i normally don't do patient visits during work days, specially in the morning but i have some catching up to do and today is the only time i can squeeze visiting in my already crammed schedule...
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feb 23 2010 - 9:00am - 10:00am
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she was asleep. i tried to greet her to sort of wake her up but she didn't budge. i stood there for a bit just watching her and thinking of my first move when she opened her eyes. i said hi again and she just looked at me. she was trying to push the table in front of her so i helped her with that.then i asked her how she's been to which she didn't reply. i told her that it's raining outside, still no response. then she went back to sleep.
c.b was also sleeping when i visited him. i was kinda hesitant to come inside when i saw that his diapers are showing. i wasn't sure if the nurse is not done with him yet. but i braved going inside anyway. i said my usual hi to c.b. but he didnt hear me. i tried again. nothing. i was waiting for him to open his eyes which he usually does when he hears my voice but he's sleeping. i sat there for a bit and just watching him sleep. i can't help but look at his photos and then look back at him. what a difference. in his photos he looked really happy and healthy and the person im staring at right now is a man without a trace of smile. i dont blame him. whenever im sick i seldom smile myself. but he's pleasant to talk with whenever he's up for some chit chats.
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feb 23 2010 - 9:00am - 10:00am
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she was asleep. i tried to greet her to sort of wake her up but she didn't budge. i stood there for a bit just watching her and thinking of my first move when she opened her eyes. i said hi again and she just looked at me. she was trying to push the table in front of her so i helped her with that.then i asked her how she's been to which she didn't reply. i told her that it's raining outside, still no response. then she went back to sleep.
c.b was also sleeping when i visited him. i was kinda hesitant to come inside when i saw that his diapers are showing. i wasn't sure if the nurse is not done with him yet. but i braved going inside anyway. i said my usual hi to c.b. but he didnt hear me. i tried again. nothing. i was waiting for him to open his eyes which he usually does when he hears my voice but he's sleeping. i sat there for a bit and just watching him sleep. i can't help but look at his photos and then look back at him. what a difference. in his photos he looked really happy and healthy and the person im staring at right now is a man without a trace of smile. i dont blame him. whenever im sick i seldom smile myself. but he's pleasant to talk with whenever he's up for some chit chats.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
on photos and closed door
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feb 17 - 5:00 - 6:00 PM
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i visited g.w. my coordinator told me that she's an active dying patient but i was surprised that when i visited her she can still carry a conversation.i was expecting to see her sleeping or non-responsive like anna (my first patient who passed away after my 1st visit).
we talked about the pictures posted on her wall and she explained to me who they are. i asked her if she has a pet because i saw in her profile that she has a dog and she said "no, i just have that one" and she pointed to a dog stuffed-toy. i asked him what the dog's name is and she said she forgot.
after a few more chit-chats i said my goodbye and i told her i'll be visiting her again which she replied with "that would be nice".
when i visited c.b. i was surprised that the door is closed. i tried to knock thinking that maybe a nurse is helping one of the patients inside to change their clothes but i heard no response so i went ahead and opened the door. the first thing i saw is an old guy squinting because i think i woke him up because i opened the door. it was very dark inside. i went ahead and went straight to c.b.'s bed (middle bed). i said hi to carl but i was half whispering because i dont want to wake up the other patients (i might have upset one patient already because the light might have hurt his eyes when i opened the door)... i just sat there only for a bit because it really got a lil uncomfortable. it is dark inside and i dont want to turn on the lights because i'm scared to get yelled at.
feb 17 - 5:00 - 6:00 PM
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i visited g.w. my coordinator told me that she's an active dying patient but i was surprised that when i visited her she can still carry a conversation.i was expecting to see her sleeping or non-responsive like anna (my first patient who passed away after my 1st visit).
we talked about the pictures posted on her wall and she explained to me who they are. i asked her if she has a pet because i saw in her profile that she has a dog and she said "no, i just have that one" and she pointed to a dog stuffed-toy. i asked him what the dog's name is and she said she forgot.
after a few more chit-chats i said my goodbye and i told her i'll be visiting her again which she replied with "that would be nice".
when i visited c.b. i was surprised that the door is closed. i tried to knock thinking that maybe a nurse is helping one of the patients inside to change their clothes but i heard no response so i went ahead and opened the door. the first thing i saw is an old guy squinting because i think i woke him up because i opened the door. it was very dark inside. i went ahead and went straight to c.b.'s bed (middle bed). i said hi to carl but i was half whispering because i dont want to wake up the other patients (i might have upset one patient already because the light might have hurt his eyes when i opened the door)... i just sat there only for a bit because it really got a lil uncomfortable. it is dark inside and i dont want to turn on the lights because i'm scared to get yelled at.
Monday, February 15, 2010
happy valentine's day!
i drove from my place to lansdale and decided to meet a friend of mine for a bit who then drove me to the hospice... after which we went to this local breakfast place called koffee korner...excellent, excellent breakfast...my friend who's a local at lansdale told me that's lansdale's well-kept secret...
anyway....
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feb 14. 9:30 - 10:30
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yeah, it was valentines day when i visited c.b... the first thing i noticed was the heart-shaped balloons on his cabinet.i guess he had a visitor early that morning or the day before that. anyway, he's awake, which is good. my volunteer coordinator gave me a heads-up that he's always usually sleeping i asked him how he is. he can still talk. although it's hard to understand what he's saying sometimes. i also noticed the gold watch on his left wrist. i complimented him for that. he said it's a gift from his wife. from his paper it says there he's a widower and i thought it's sweet that he always wear that watch. he looks really old and frail and i can't help but just stare at him. but after much staring i decided to read him a book. while i'm reading he would sometimes reply back. i think he's confusing me reading to him with talking to him.
note to self: i need to buy a book that describes beautiful scenes. the book im reading for my patients is kinda violent (the lord of the flies)
next is g.w.
g.w was asleep when i went to her room. i tried to say hi hoping she'll open her eyes but unfortunately she didnt. i tried again thinking maybe she just didnt hear me but still no reaction. so i just sat there and just found myself staring at the photos posted on her wall.
anyway....
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feb 14. 9:30 - 10:30
---------------------
yeah, it was valentines day when i visited c.b... the first thing i noticed was the heart-shaped balloons on his cabinet.i guess he had a visitor early that morning or the day before that. anyway, he's awake, which is good. my volunteer coordinator gave me a heads-up that he's always usually sleeping i asked him how he is. he can still talk. although it's hard to understand what he's saying sometimes. i also noticed the gold watch on his left wrist. i complimented him for that. he said it's a gift from his wife. from his paper it says there he's a widower and i thought it's sweet that he always wear that watch. he looks really old and frail and i can't help but just stare at him. but after much staring i decided to read him a book. while i'm reading he would sometimes reply back. i think he's confusing me reading to him with talking to him.
note to self: i need to buy a book that describes beautiful scenes. the book im reading for my patients is kinda violent (the lord of the flies)
next is g.w.
g.w was asleep when i went to her room. i tried to say hi hoping she'll open her eyes but unfortunately she didnt. i tried again thinking maybe she just didnt hear me but still no reaction. so i just sat there and just found myself staring at the photos posted on her wall.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
on hiatus but im back
i know, it's been a while...
i was on hiatus to take care of some personal stuff and because i was too busy with work...
i'm supposed to start my visits again last saturday but because of the snow storm i wasn't able to..
it just dawned on me...i started training for hospice volunteering, on feb, 14 2009...it's been almost a year now...wow, how time flies...
i was on hiatus to take care of some personal stuff and because i was too busy with work...
i'm supposed to start my visits again last saturday but because of the snow storm i wasn't able to..
it just dawned on me...i started training for hospice volunteering, on feb, 14 2009...it's been almost a year now...wow, how time flies...
Saturday, October 24, 2009
when am i getting out of here
oct. 24, 2009 - 1:30-2:30 - saturday
==== T ====
I found (T) sitting on his padded wheelchair at the dining hall sleeping. He looked a little older each time i visit him. I tried touching his shoulder when I said hi to him and told him why i was there but he didn't nudge. i tried again and still the same. so i just sat with him again while he's sleeping tapping his shoulders every now and then to atleast let him know of my presence.
==== J ====
I went to (J) next. She's also sitting at the dining hall watching t.v. I said hi to her and she's pleasant as usual smiling at me and all. She tried saying something but she stopped. Don't know if she lost her trail of thought. Anyway, I made small talks. She would usually reply by smiling or winking at me. I gave her a tissue when she started coughing and some green mucus came out from her nose and she started wiping some on the table. The funny part was she asked what that is when I gave her the tissue and she started kinda playing w/ it.
==== P ====
(P) was on her room lying down sideways on her bed with her shoes still on. I knocked at her door and said hello and told her I'm there to visit her. Since there's no chair I started setting up my portable chair and sat at her bed side. The first thing she said was "When am i getting out of here?". Poor (P). I think she's really getting bored at the hospital. So anyway, I sat there touching her knees and arms and I asked her if she wants me to read for her. She mumbled something so I'm assuming that's ok, because normally if she doesn't like it she'll just flat out say "no". So I went to get the book and started reading for her.
===== I ====
I was about to visit (I) next and was preparing to leave (P)'s room when I heard another volunteer (the guy who does reiki) looking for (I). So I'm skipping it today and I'll just come back tomorrow. I have other engagements to attend to today that I don't think I can wait til the other volunteer is done or i'll be late.
==== T ====
I found (T) sitting on his padded wheelchair at the dining hall sleeping. He looked a little older each time i visit him. I tried touching his shoulder when I said hi to him and told him why i was there but he didn't nudge. i tried again and still the same. so i just sat with him again while he's sleeping tapping his shoulders every now and then to atleast let him know of my presence.
==== J ====
I went to (J) next. She's also sitting at the dining hall watching t.v. I said hi to her and she's pleasant as usual smiling at me and all. She tried saying something but she stopped. Don't know if she lost her trail of thought. Anyway, I made small talks. She would usually reply by smiling or winking at me. I gave her a tissue when she started coughing and some green mucus came out from her nose and she started wiping some on the table. The funny part was she asked what that is when I gave her the tissue and she started kinda playing w/ it.
==== P ====
(P) was on her room lying down sideways on her bed with her shoes still on. I knocked at her door and said hello and told her I'm there to visit her. Since there's no chair I started setting up my portable chair and sat at her bed side. The first thing she said was "When am i getting out of here?". Poor (P). I think she's really getting bored at the hospital. So anyway, I sat there touching her knees and arms and I asked her if she wants me to read for her. She mumbled something so I'm assuming that's ok, because normally if she doesn't like it she'll just flat out say "no". So I went to get the book and started reading for her.
===== I ====
I was about to visit (I) next and was preparing to leave (P)'s room when I heard another volunteer (the guy who does reiki) looking for (I). So I'm skipping it today and I'll just come back tomorrow. I have other engagements to attend to today that I don't think I can wait til the other volunteer is done or i'll be late.
oh, that's a nice house
oct 17 2009 - sat - 10:30am-11:45am
==== T ====
(T) was in the dining hall sleeping. I tried to wake him up by rubbing his shoulders but his eyes just stayed shut. I ended up just sitting next to him and just rubbing his shoulders every now and then.
==== J ====
(J) was in the same dining hall as (T) is and we just sat together and watch tv with some small talks during commercial breaks.
==== I ====
(I) was kinda making small talks to the other elderly at the same table she is. I'm not sure if she's talking to any one in particular but I just noticed that none of them is really paying attention. So anyway, I said hello and she said "there you are" and I asked her if she wants to be wheeled around although that's what I really intend to do, I just want to ask her that as a polite gesture. So I wheeled her up and down the hall. I think she likes it when we stop on windows because whenever we do that she looked like she's trying to get up and then she would say something like "oh that's a nice house".
==== P ====
I saw (P) sitting on the couch at the (3rd) floor dining hall. Half of her body was resting on the sofa's arm chair. I said hello to her and she acknowledged it by mumbling something. I asked how she is and she said something that sounded like "ok". She was smiling when I saw her that morning which is a rare treat for me.
==== C ====
I saw (C) with his sister so I decided to visit him last. When it was time he's already sleeping but I managed to somehow made him open his eyes for a brief time and I did hear something that resembles a “hello”. He looks really weak and fragile. He kind of reminds me of Ana, my first patient. So anyway, I sat beside his bed watching him sleep. When I touched his hand again he opened his eyes and I complimented his toys. He seemed to really like the dog stuffed toy because after I told him his toys are cute he tucked the dog under his arms.
==== T ====
(T) was in the dining hall sleeping. I tried to wake him up by rubbing his shoulders but his eyes just stayed shut. I ended up just sitting next to him and just rubbing his shoulders every now and then.
==== J ====
(J) was in the same dining hall as (T) is and we just sat together and watch tv with some small talks during commercial breaks.
==== I ====
(I) was kinda making small talks to the other elderly at the same table she is. I'm not sure if she's talking to any one in particular but I just noticed that none of them is really paying attention. So anyway, I said hello and she said "there you are" and I asked her if she wants to be wheeled around although that's what I really intend to do, I just want to ask her that as a polite gesture. So I wheeled her up and down the hall. I think she likes it when we stop on windows because whenever we do that she looked like she's trying to get up and then she would say something like "oh that's a nice house".
==== P ====
I saw (P) sitting on the couch at the (3rd) floor dining hall. Half of her body was resting on the sofa's arm chair. I said hello to her and she acknowledged it by mumbling something. I asked how she is and she said something that sounded like "ok". She was smiling when I saw her that morning which is a rare treat for me.
==== C ====
I saw (C) with his sister so I decided to visit him last. When it was time he's already sleeping but I managed to somehow made him open his eyes for a brief time and I did hear something that resembles a “hello”. He looks really weak and fragile. He kind of reminds me of Ana, my first patient. So anyway, I sat beside his bed watching him sleep. When I touched his hand again he opened his eyes and I complimented his toys. He seemed to really like the dog stuffed toy because after I told him his toys are cute he tucked the dog under his arms.
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