First day as Cancer Volunteer

Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement about volunteering at the hospital.  

     There were four of us, two veterans and two new people. We went in pairs to all the different cancer-related areas of the hospital. My partner was Julia, who is half Greek and half Peruvian. She did all the talking. I was thinking a couple of times, "What have I got myself into?" I understood 90% of what the coordinator said and only 25% of what was said with the patients. She encouraged me though, and said she was the same way on her first day, stiff and silent. 

     The other two volunteers were Carlos, a retired man and cancer survivor, and Amelia, a nursing student.  Carlos waited a long time to be assigned as a volunteer and Amelia wants to work with kids, but they have enough volunteers already. So it wasn't just me who had a hard time. 

     We saw every stage of the process. We talked to one mother there with her daughter in the oncology waiting room for a consultation. This is the point when you first find out. She said she felt like she was floating, disconnected. In the course of a five-minute conversation she was joking and laughing and then crying and then joking and laughing again. The goal with that group is to give them a flyer and make sure they know about us. The same is true for out-patients who are there for radiation and chemo. 

     We saw a few patients who are admitted, one with bone cancer. They were all in fighting spirits. And we saw the hospice patients. With them, we visit with the families. 

     What impressed me most was how after just a few minutes, we left them in better spirits. One wife of 50 years was on the point of tears, so Julia took her out of the room. I stayed and the brother- in-law told me about his travels as an engineer for Iberia Airlines. They were smiling and standing straighter when we left. 

    I'm surprised at how little time we have with each person, but I could see how it was good. I really liked this group of volunteers, but I will be with a different group next week because I will go on Friday instead of Thursday.  Now I have to take a nap! Love and kisses to you all.