i think i've said this a lot in the past but this time I'm serious - I love my co-op job. I actually don't dread going to work and i love the people I work with, the patients, the doctors. But before i go on....
palliative care: health care that, rather than focusing on curative aspects, focuses on improving the quality of life in patients with chronic illnesses that may not have a cure. This is done through pain and symptom management; physical, psychosocial, spiritual management; all the way to end of life preparation and care.
A lot of people ask me "Well isn't that depressing?" I thought it would be too, but it's actually kind of rewarding to meet people and sometimes make their day a little better by being a part of their care. I've had patients cry on me when I remembered their name, or patients thank the doctor millions of times saying that they're the only doctor they look forward to seeing. I've had patients who come in grumpy but leave happy and a little less anxious about their state/being.
There's a huge potential for ministry in this field and I think I"m really starting to love it. Although 3 of my patients have already passed away in the 2 months that I've been here, it's still really rewarding to be able to be a part of the care that gives patients a chance to have comfort.
