Hospice Day 2

So we got to go back to Chatsworth Hospice today. It actually runs a lot like the hospice organizations in the U.S. in terms of its focus on palliative and holistic care.



We went on rounds to visit the four patients currently staying in the 10 person in-patient ward, which was very interesting. We got into a discussion about sex in the middle of the hallway with the medical director and the pastor for hospice! I could never imagine Americans talking so openly about sex like this--especially in the hallway of hospice! It was centered around religious beliefs as well, but nevertheless we were all surprised at the lack of censorship.



After rounds we had two talks with the head of Chatsworth Hospice and the pastor for the hospice. They both said that hospice was striving to help not only the patient physically but also socially, emotionally, financially and provide support to their family members as well. Because the population surrounding Chatsworth Hospice is mostly Indian and there is not as high an occurrence of AIDS/HIV in this area, when this hospice opened in 1994 the focus was on cancer and helping those suffering from cancer. However since 1994 two of the ten in-patient beds have been allocated for AIDS/HIV patients and a separate staff dedicated to a very rural area in Durban where AIDS patients are living was established. We will not be able to visit this area unfortunately because of the strike but from what the nurse told us it is incredible. The area is made up of houses made of whatever materials their inhabitants can make and they get electricity by stealing it from power lines. There is typically no running water. The residents of these areas are usually individuals who have been shunned from their communities or families because of their diagnosis of HIV/AIDS. Hospice has caregivers in this area to help the residents with their tasks of daily living and with cooking, etc. The nurse then tries to visit every two weeks to check in on the patients medical needs. It is too bad we won't be able to see this area.



Then we went out with two nurses to visit three hospice patients living at home. One of the women we got to see is in remission with cancer of the tongue and she reported a lot of the same symptoms that my Mom had after her radiation. It was good that I could relate to her but it definitely made me a little homesick.

On another note things with the status of our program are not looking good. The strike is on in full force and tomorrow we are advised not to leave our houses. Our rural rotation for next week may also be in jeopardy. The people here are telling us we are experiencing first-hand a key moment in South African history. We are all just trying to stay positive and think of it that way.

Sending all of my love.