Volunteer Roll Call

[EasterRat]

Hey all, been a minute since I have been here, had my OHS to repair my BAV in Jan 2017, been doing pretty well since. I wanted to chat a bit about volunteering on the cardiac ward. I had a lovely visit from a volunteer who had OHS when I was recovering and I recall that I loved seeing him and chatting for a while. I have finally gotten around to applying to be a volunteer and in chatting with the co-ordinator, it seems there is a general lack of OHS volunteers. Of course having a volunteer with direct experience is very powerful, so I wondered if anyone else here has had the experience of being a volunteer, and can share how rewarding it is. My orientation is on the 20th and I am really really looking forward to it. I am 44, so fill a particular niche for the volunteer corps to my understanding.

Anyways, searched for threads dedicated to this and came up empty after 4 pages, and there is no way I was searching deeper, my apologies if there is a thread buried somewhere already.

Cheers

 

[dick0236]

Hey all, been a minute since I have been here, had my OHS to repair my BAV in Jan 2017, been doing pretty well since. I wanted to chat a bit about volunteering on the cardiac ward. I had a lovely visit from a volunteer who had OHS when I was recovering and I recall that I loved seeing him and chatting for a while. I have finally gotten around to applying to be a volunteer and in chatting with the co-ordinator, it seems there is a general lack of OHS volunteers. Of course having a volunteer with direct experience is very powerful, so I wondered if anyone else here has had the experience of being a volunteer, and can share how rewarding it is. My orientation is on the 20th and I am really really looking forward to it. I am 44, so fill a particular niche for the volunteer corps to my understanding.

Anyways, searched for threads dedicated to this and came up empty after 4 pages, and there is no way I was searching deeper, my apologies if there is a thread buried somewhere already.

Cheers

You're right....volunteering is a very satisfying way to "give back". I did that for +/-3 years thru a national heart surgery group called Mended Hearts. The pre-surgery patients were relieved to talk with someone who had "been there, done that" and the post-surgery patients were encouraged knowing someone else understood the pain of coughing post op.

 

[pellicle]

.... My orientation is on the 20th and I am really really looking forward to it. I am 44, so fill a particular niche for the volunteer corps to my understanding.

Well done and good on you. Hats off.

I would do the same but where I have lived these past 8 years is nowhere near a cardiac hospital, or I would already be doing just this. (nearest one is over 100 miles from here)

 

[vivekd]

I am the member of Mended Hearts Chapter 81 and they have visitor program. I am planning to sign up for it to visit hospitals in/around Atlanta area and meet OHS patients.

 

[Duffey]

Good job! I know that Superbob is also active in a Mended Hearts group and has mentioned it in posts, but I don’t recall a specific thread on the subject.

 

[carolinemc]

Good for you, for I was thinking the same thing, about talking to my hospital about being a volunteer for those waiting for OHS or after. It would be so inspiring to help others that may need advice or a soothing voice. You go friend. Hugs for today.

 

[Cork]

Hi EasterRat,

I got heart disease as a child and needed both AVR / MVR. I use to go to a summer camp for kids with heart disease as a kid. 25 years later I still volunteer there helping to plan and organize it and attending it for a week every summer. Many of the people that grew up going there now volunteer there as an adult.

It helps the kids to see that even though they have this "disease" that, in most cases, they can still lead full normal lives.

Not hospital based volunteering, but to answer your question... It's very rewarding.

 

[EasterRat]

Well, I got through the orientation and will be heading to my first training shift on Wednesday! I find I am really looking forward to it, can't wait!

 

[Agian]

Hi EasterRat,

I got heart disease as a child and needed both AVR / MVR. I use to go to a summer camp for kids with heart disease as a kid. 25 years later I still volunteer there helping to plan and organize it and attending it for a week every summer. Many of the people that grew up going there now volunteer there as an adult.

That's beautiful man.

 

[ottagal]

I am late in responding to this.
Kudos to you for volunteering. I think you had your first shift. How did it go?' 'I have been volunteering on the cardiac ward visiting patients for over a year now. It is very rewarding and patients really appreciate meeting someone who has 'been there'. If you want to compare notes or have any questions, feel free to pm me.

 

[QuincyRunner]

I am another one who can attest to the great satisfaction and fulfillment that comes with volunteering at a hospital. My experience with Mended Hearts, however, was not so great. Several years ago I contacted them but because there was no local chapter in my area I could not really join. They spoke with me over the phone at length about my trying to get them accepted into Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare and sent me lots of materials in support of that effort. However, in meetings with the volunteer coordinator and rehab coordinator at TMH I learned that Mended Hearts had been previously accepted there as a volunteer organization but at some point had been asked to leave because of their aggressive recruitment policy directed toward current patients. Sooo, several years went by and after I retired late last year from my full time job I applied to be a general volunteer with TMH's Volunteer Auxiliary. This has been a fantastic experience. I started out volunteering in the Heart & Vascular Center and in the Cardiovascular ICU, which gave me occasional and brief opportunities to share my experience with patients and family members who could relate to me as a former cardiac patient. Recently I began working with the Patient Experience Department which gives me the opportunity to visit in the rooms with patients on the cardiac floor in particular. It is a little strange visiting the room where I spent many days myself but it also magnifies the feeling of gratitude I have for being where I am now. As an added benefit I get a $9 meal ticket good in the hospital cafeteria for every 4-hour shift I work!

 

[scott.eitman]

I am a volunteer with Mended Hearts of Greater Cleveland.

 

[carolinemc]

Hi EasterRat,

I got heart disease as a child and needed both AVR / MVR. I use to go to a summer camp for kids with heart disease as a kid. 25 years later I still volunteer there helping to plan and organize it and attending it for a week every summer. Many of the people that grew up going there now volunteer there as an adult.

It helps the kids to see that even though they have this "disease" that, in most cases, they can still lead full normal lives.

Not hospital based volunteering, but to answer your question... It's very rewarding.

good for you, experience to help the next generation get through the rough spots and have fun at the same time. You are a great person to give back to those who help you all those years ago.

 

[EasterRat]

Hey everyone, been meaning to come back and update! Holy guacamole, volunteering on the ward is great! What a fantastic way to connect with folks who are in the same club. I essentially get to go chat with folks for a couple of hours once a week! And what a range of experiences, from those who are fairly young like me (40s) to those having that most exciting of new procedures, TAVI at 88 years young! If any of you have ever thought of volunteering and/or if there is a program near you, you should check it out! I come back from each week feeling better than when I leave to go, what an inspiration some folks are. And for those having a harder time, there is comfort in chatting and being there for them. /rant lol

 

[EasterRat]

aggressive recruitment policy

Yikes, that seems like a story waiting to be told...haha

$9 meal ticket good in the hospital cafeteria for every 4-hour shift I work!

We get 5 bucks, must be nice to afford cafeteria steak and caviar!

 

[EasterRat]

I have been volunteering on the cardiac ward visiting patients for over a year now.

What city are you in?

 

[pellicle]

Hey everyone, been meaning to come back and update! ... /rant lol

not a rant, but really good feedback.
As I mentioned I don't live where I could do this easily.