Volunteering in OHS recovery.

[geebee]

I am so excited. I have been working in the volunteer department at one of Cincinnati's hospitals with an OHS program. I have been waiting for an opening in the recovery room which happened this week.

Today was my first day volunteering in the recovery room. It was very fascinating to actually be on the "other side" of the bed. I realized I have never been in a recovery room other than as a patient, except once when my sister had ovarian surgery.

I get to do "interesting things" such as put pillows in the cubicles, make sure there are blankets in the blanket warmer, call the waiting room with patient updates and send papers through the pneumatic (sp?) tube system. Not exactly rocket science but still I feel useful.

Anyway, just wanted to share my happiness with you all.

BTW - this is national volunteer week.

 

[PapaHappyStar]

Thats excellent Gina!

Thanks for taking time out to do this, from people like you on this board I am learning to have a deeper sense of civic reponsibility -- part of growing up for me...

Thanks,
Burair

 

[geebee]

You know, I have had mixed feelings about my volunteering because I always thought volunteering (or other such activities) was solely to help others. I have come to find out that I truly enjoy it. I almost feel selfish as if I am doing it just to make myself feel good. However, I have decided that doing good is SUPPOSED to make us feel good, too. It's "kinda" cool.

 

[Karlynn]

That's really great Gina. Let's hope you continue to stay on the volunteering side of the recovery room!!!!!!!

 

[Ross]

Still trying to collect brownie points and get on my good side huh?

 

[geebee]

Still trying to collect brownie points and get on my good side huh?

Once a brat...........

Didn't you know? - all things I do these days is to get on your good side

BTW - I LOVE "Big Trouble in Little China"!! But, then, I am a Kurt Russell fan.

 

[Glenda]

Gina, I agree with you 100%. I volunteer in ICU and CVICU. It is such fulfilling work. The only problem I've had so far was that two of my friends have expired in my unit. But I was glad that I could be there to comfort the family. That means a lot. (to them and me) Keep up the good work.

 

[Barry]

...I get to do "interesting things" such as put pillows in the cubicles, make sure there are blankets in the blanket warmer, call the waiting room with patient updates and send papers through the pneumatic (sp?) tube system. Not exactly rocket science but still I feel useful...

Trust your feelings. You are useful. A tip - You may want to routinely check to see that the patient call buttons are working. I went through a pretty miserable experience in the wee hours of the morning in the recovery room when I was in pretty excruciating pain and the $&^#$* call button wouldn't work.

 

[geebee]

Barry,

Good point. I will make it a priority to look into that when I am "on duty".

 

[geebee]

That's really great Gina. Let's hope you continue to stay on the volunteering side of the recovery room!!!!!!!

My intention. Maybe this will help keep me in shape

 

[geebee]

Gina, I agree with you 100%. I volunteer in ICU and CVICU. It is such fulfilling work. The only problem I've had so far was that two of my friends have expired in my unit. But I was glad that I could be there to comfort the family. That means a lot. (to them and me) Keep up the good work.

I am willing to bet they were happy to have you there also. I was amazed at how quickly I bonded with people I had never met. And how simple it is to help a patient (other than pillows and warm blankets ). Just holding someone's hand seems to do more than all the pain meds in the world.

The hospital I work at started using a process called "healing touch". It has been mostly used for terminal patients but they are probably going to start it up in the recovery room. I am going to train for it. Basically it is a gentle touch-type massage that calms the patient. Sounds like something I would have liked after my OHS.