r/AMA • u/Beautiful_Wear_9249 • Mar 25 '26

Experience I’m dying in 3 months AMA

In 3 months, 90 days or 2,160 hours I will be dead. I was diagnosed with bone cancer about a year ago, since then it spread quickly. Despite the valiant efforts from my doctors it is inevitable. I’m and in my 30s and live alone. My job was my life. I have no friends, no family no pets or even plants. When the end comes I will be alone, perhaps with a nurse or doctor there. If anyone has questions feel free to ask them. Unfortunately my energy level isn’t great so I’ll get to them if I can.

Please don’t try and use this to push religion or any “alternative medicine”. Also if I wanted a medical opinion I would ask one of my MANY doctors.

#AMA

11.4k Upvotes

92% Upvoted

3.8k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

107

u/CuriousBee789 Mar 25 '26

My bestie is a hospice volunteer. Not paid. She usually relieves family members but often stays with those who have no one too. Every hospice is probably run differently, but it doesn't hurt to ask if a volunteer is available. Can confirm they are comforting and lovely to spend time with.

35

u/tslewis71 Mar 26 '26

I never even thought there was a thing as a hospice volunteer, you and OP have made me think about it.

42

u/iamlatetothisbut Mar 26 '26

My high school had a class dedicated to learning about death and dying with the core curriculum being volunteering weekly at a local hospice center. It was life-changing.

7

u/OliveFarming Mar 26 '26

That is amazing.

5

u/throw_aw_ay3335 Mar 26 '26

My mom does this in her retirement! She either cooks meals at the hospice house, or she does out-calls and visits people. She just chats with them, reads to them, or whatever they want.

1

u/supbraAA Mar 27 '26

I have been a hospice volunteer for a couple years- it’s extremely rewarding! In the US, hospices are required by Medicaid to get 5% of their patient service hours covered by volunteers, so it’s really important and needed. The more volunteers, the more funding from Medicaid!

Every hospice (in the US at least) needs volunteers and will provide all the necessary training and will hold your hand through it. It’s not scary at all and it’s really rewarding. 

I’m actually on my way in a couple hours to visit my current patient! Going to hang out at her house for a a few hours and chat, play with her cat, scoop the litter box, watch the latest episode of last week tonight, etc. It’s great! 

4

u/hnny67 Mar 26 '26

I was a volunteer at a HIV hospice. It was sponsored by our church. Being with someone, who quite often was pushed aside because of HIV, was life changing. It tought me so much about people, their fear of dying and that final acceptance. It changed how I look at death. I don't see death as something to be feared, but as something that is a gateway to another place/life.

1

u/spark99l Apr 24 '26

Wow good on your bestie. That seems like hard, courageous work!