Figuring out the beauty of hospice has changed my life. I am sure if you are reading this blog, hospice has changed your life in some form or fashion. Everyday across the United States, National HME has the opportunity to serve thousands of hospice patients and their families as well as hundreds of hospice companies with medical equipment services. We see this growth as an amazing opportunity to change lives and make a difference in the few minutes we have with each patient.
The goal of our blog, The Beauty of Hospice, is to share life changing stories. We also intend to give sound advice on medical equipment solutions, hospice situations and offer guidance on how to deal with many difficult issues; such as dealing with grief and bereavement processes. I am reaching out to hospice professionals across the country to contribute to our blog, as well as relying on internal clinical and spiritual professionals within our Family at National HME.
Hospice is such a beautiful process and is often the darkest moment in someone’s life. As hospice professionals, it is our job to create peaceful and comfortable environments for patients and their families, and to guide them through the processes of death and dying.
I will never forget my light bulb moment. I was about 2 years into full time hospice work when I made a home delivery to a family on a Friday afternoon. When I went to the front door, the cutest little girl answered and I asked if her Mommy or Daddy was home. As I asked this question, a young man not much older than me came to the door. I introduced myself and told him that I was there to set up the equipment, assuming it was for his Mother or Grandmother.
He showed me where he wanted the equipment and I quickly got to work. As I was setting up, we were discussing the equipment, his family and how confusing the hospice process was for him when there was a cry coming from another room. The young man quickly left the room and returned with a newborn baby boy. You could see the joy on his face as he comforted his new son.
"How old is he?" I asked.
"Three weeks…" His face became white and he sat down. He told me it was also three weeks ago when his wife of four years was diagnosed with cancer with only a couple of months to live. The doctors had found the cancer when she gave birth.
My heart stopped. We spent the next few moments in silence. I asked if I could pray for him and his family. I spent a few moments comforting him in the darkest moment of his life. This young man had just experienced one of the greatest joys in life, a new child, and then experienced one of the greatest tragedies in life, a terminal diagnosis.
I got back to the truck and I wept. I thought about my new fiance. How would it feel to lose her after four short years? This was my light bulb moment, when I realized that hospice was a beautiful process to help people in their darkest hour. What was your light bulb moment in hospice, when you knew that hospice was a beautiful thing? It can be difficult to see the beauty and light during the hospice process, but it is important to always remember that you are changing lives. You are a hero during dark times for the patient and their families.
Stop and think for a few moments why hospice is important to you. Live today as if it is your last and always remember: life is too short not to make a difference in the lives of others. Make a difference today!
National HME started as a dream I had when I was just a boy to be in business with my Father. This dream has truly turned into a dream come true over the last five and a half years, to read our full story, please visit http://www.nationalhme.com/about/story
Changing Lives Daily,
Joshua T. Robertson
Founder & Chief Development Officer
National HME, Inc.
