MY LIFE'S PASSION

Hospice is considered an essential agency. Our hospice nurses and home health aides have continued to meet with the patient and their families in their homes or the facilities where they reside. The Social Workers and Chaplains do the majority of their patient/family interaction over the telephone.

If we do visit a patient in person, we must ask questions first about having any virus symptoms. If they do not have symptoms, which is, fortunately, what most all say, we can go in wearing gloves and face masks.

For the past seven weeks, I have been doing all of the admission by telephone. It is so much harder as one has to totally focus on hearing. We cannot use our other senses to help us assess patient and family needs or concerns as easily. Whenever I walk into a patient's home, I let go and allow myself to naturally be there. One cannot do that on the telephone as your focus is totally on listening.

Hospice received a referral today to admit an eleven year old girl with leukemia. She was diagnosed just a year ago. She is now so weak, is on oxygen, and gets short of breath with any endurance. She was discharged from a hospital today after a ten day stay for treatment.

The nurse and I met in front of her home a few moments before the ambulance arrived bringing her home from the hospital. We met with her parents and her two siblings. It was such a wonderful, loving family. It just melted my heart. I spoke with the eleven year old and she was such a wise old soul. Her mom told me that she has always been that way.

While driving home from the admission, my heart was so full of love while shedding a few tears. I so know that this is where I need to be. This is what I am suppose to do. It is definitely my life's passion. A beautiful reminder to help me through these next few weeks, whatever they will be.



MY LIFE'S PASSION　

She asked me to accompany her.
She didn't want to do this admission alone.
"The patient is only eleven years old.
I so need someone to be with me."

I have been doing all the admissions by phone.
So not as effective as when in person.
The COVID-19 virus has challenged all of us
to do our jobs, while isolated, as best as we can.

It's been over seven weeks of isolation for me.
I so miss being in a patient's home
to give comfort; to give support.
Admissions by phone is not a job well done.

Outside on her front lawn,
making sure the family and we were safe,
we put on our gloves; we adjusted our face masks,
before we walked into her home.

Walking through the front door, I instantly knew.
It felt so normal; it felt so comfortable.
This is where I need to be;
this is what I am suppose to do.

My heart embraced their presence.
My soul filled with compassion.
It is what makes me real.
It is so what makes me whole.

It truly is, without a doubt,
          My Life's Passion.