Friday, November 4, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Back on Board
The families would follow me to my car at then ends of many of my visits and thank me for all that I had done. I did not fully know then what I know now, that I was the one that was blessed by giving and receiving the magnificent privilege of attending to their needs. My life was so blessed and continues to be so as I review my photos and my stories.
And so.... I continue on continuing ON.
~Ghostly Refuge~
Via Flickr:
On my way to attend a death of a hospice patient... The drive to and from the home has become a reflection on that life and mine (as the on call hospice nurse).
The many miles and hours that I have spent driving to and from the patient's homes are filled with such energy and care for another human being that is leaving this place we call life. As an on call nurse for hospice patients, one does not have the regular hours and comforts of driving in the daylight. The call comes to a sleeping or sleepy nurse at home or in the middle of a late night visit to some other patient. Rarely does one have the luxury of sleeping through the night without at least a call or two and probably a trek through the town and along lonely highways to get to the patient's home. The patient and family care givers are anxious and in need of professional care and support. They may not know that the on call nurse is juggling several calls and problems at one time.
The frequent comment made as I would arrive to the home of a hospice patient was, "I am so sorry to get you out in the middle of the night". Trying to relieve their angst and concern, I would always say to them that (in truth) it was my privilege as well as my job.
On my way to attend a death of a hospice patient... The drive to and from the home has become a reflection on that life and mine (as the on call hospice nurse).
The many miles and hours that I have spent driving to and from the patient's homes are filled with such energy and care for another human being that is leaving this place we call life. As an on call nurse for hospice patients, one does not have the regular hours and comforts of driving in the daylight. The call comes to a sleeping or sleepy nurse at home or in the middle of a late night visit to some other patient. Rarely does one have the luxury of sleeping through the night without at least a call or two and probably a trek through the town and along lonely highways to get to the patient's home. The patient and family care givers are anxious and in need of professional care and support. They may not know that the on call nurse is juggling several calls and problems at one time.
The frequent comment made as I would arrive to the home of a hospice patient was, "I am so sorry to get you out in the middle of the night". Trying to relieve their angst and concern, I would always say to them that (in truth) it was my privilege as well as my job.
Early Mourning Passing
Via Flickr:
This photo so well represents the feelings of the "death visits" that were made so many times over the many years I worked as a hospice nurse. This patient had died in the very early morning. This photo was taken from my car as I drove home following the "death visit?.
early morning passing
Via Flickr:
I am so glad I took these photos... for there were many many days, nights, evenings, and midnights that I was traveling to and from the hospice patient's homes. Now, retried and writing my stories of the stories of my hospice nursing days, these peeks at the trip... help me keep on with this newest "trek" of mine (to write the book and stories of what my hospice journeys taught me).
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