Working with terminally ill patients can be emotionally challenging. Perhaps the hardest part of the program is coming to terms that one day, my patient can go away, said Lacson. Instead, Lacson places all of her energy and attention on Ms. S s care and comfort. I wish I had learned about hospice earlier in my life, she said referring to her own grieving process. Stolick is a rare breed when it comes to hospice volunteers.
Males are a minority in an organization that traditionally attracts healers.
Stolick has been matched with three male patients since January. Although two have passed on, he feels particularly close to Mr. T, a 34 year-old terminal brain cancer patient who has been with Hospice since 1996. Twice a week, Stolick makes the drive between Charleston and Ladson to visit his patient. Stolick enjoys his drives. It's usually the best time to spend reflecting and putting things into perspective prior to visits, he said.