Entering into the gates of Hell

I very much appreciate this. I lost my father last month to cancer, and he was in hospice care. I cannot even put into words how I feel right now, but I am so grateful that I was able to be with him the last 3 weeks of his life helping care for him, sleeping in his room at night, and having special moments together. My desire is to be a hospice nurse as well. I've known this even before my Dad was diagnosed with cancer, and I will be entering the nursing program this fall.Thank you so much for this. It was very much needed, and how very true it is.

Likewise - I've been one of those who stood by as a loved one passed away, and in the agonizing pain of loss, self-doubt, guilt & emotional torment found some release by dedicating myself to helping others meet this, the ultimate challenge to one's humanity.Thanks for sharing this, MommaNurse - it helps to know I'm not alone.----- Dave, Hospice volunteer, CNA.

This article is very relatable to anyone who has seen suffering, pain and death. Your experiences show that everyone is going through their own personal battles and that it helps to be kinder to everyone we meet.

Working with lots of hospice patients and their families, the shared goal is at the very end of someone's life, it be serene, peaceful, and one minute someone is breathing, the next they are not. We work together as a team to try and make it so. Hospice care is a ministry, a calling, a gift. May the grace of God be with all.

enlightening article for those that have not yet experienced this kind of nursing, thank you for sharing....aloha~

Thank you for this beautifully written piece. As an OB nurse, having helped grieving parents struggle through the heartbreaking passage of delivering and saying goodbye to their stillborns, many of the things you write about could apply to that situation as well. I gained strength to help them through their experiences by understanding that I was a guide leading them through that darkness as they face their own private hell. I couldn't fix or heal anything, but I could gently support them through that journey. God bless you.

Quote from babyitthank you for this beautifully written piece. as an ob nurse, having helped grieving parents struggle through the heartbreaking passage of delivering and saying goodbye to their stillborns, many of the things you write about could apply to that situation as well. i gained strength to help them through their experiences by understanding that i was a guide leading them through that darkness as they face their own private hell. i couldn’t fix or heal anything, but i could gently support them through that journey. god bless you.

I am a Nursing Student at this present time and as you,I want to work in Hospice.When telling my family of this decision they where in aww that I wanted to do such.I do feel God has called me to come in contact with families I would not usually come in contact with and I want to be able to lead them to the Lord if they by chance do not know my personal savior as their own.Death is not a scarey thing if you are preparred.I want to help people to know this and understand this.Thank you for sharing such heart felt words.

Quote from lkillion2i am a nursing student at this present time and as you,i want to work in hospice.when telling my family of this decision they where in aww that i wanted to do such.i do feel god has called me to come in contact with families i would not usually come in contact with and i want to be able to lead them to the lord if they by chance do not know my personal savior as their own.death is not a scarey thing if you are preparred.i want to help people to know this and understand this.thank you for sharing such heart felt words.

Beautiful article! I enjoyed reading it.I am a hospice nurse and it has brought me the most satisfaction I have ever had as a nurse.Many blessings to you! Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

Quote from purplevioletbeautiful article! i enjoyed reading it.i am a hospice nurse and it has brought me the most satisfaction i have ever had as a nurse.many blessings to you! blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted. matthew 5:4

Thank you all for the wonderful comments on this article. I wrote it originally 3 months after my father passed in 2008 when I began volunteering with hospice as a means of coping with my loss. In just a few short days I will be at the 4 year anniversary of my father's death... I can proudly tell you all that I am a hospice nurse (approaching 1 year and going strong) and have found my job to be both rewarding and a small reminder of who I have lost. Every death call I leave from I take a moment to remember not just the patient but also my father... I hope where ever my dad may be that he can see how his death shaped my life but more importantly has allowed me to reach out to the hearts of others and help them through their own dark times. The terrible loss I experienced has allowed me to become a dedicated, compassionate and understanding hospice nurse. With all of that said - every single nurse and CNA that has worked with any patient is a hero. I stand in awe of all that we endure and strive for on behalf of our patients. We are all amazing and brilliant.