Introduction:

1. What is your name?
Loraine Lombard

2. Which hospice do you work for?
Hospice Wits

3. What do you do there?
Community Nurse

4. How long have you been there?
On and off for 24 years

In-depth:

1. Why did you decide to focus on palliative care?
It’s so very vital. I so appreciate the holistic approach.

2. What gives you the greatest fulfilment?
Completing the journey of cancer with patients and family.

3. What do you find the most challenging?
Driving.

4. What do you think people find the most challenging about a life-threatening diagnosis?
Not knowing which way to turn. Not being able to talk about dying.

5. What do you think that you personally bring to your job that reflects who you are as a person?
My nurturing nature.

6. How do you take care of your own health and balance?
Gym, friends, reading crime stories or a novel.

7. What is your advice to anyone else wishing to join your profession?
If the passion is there, go for it. Nursing is a wonderful profession.

8. What is your advice to anyone given a life-threatening diagnosis?
Get Hospice involved.

9. What is your advice to the loved ones of anyone who is given a life-threatening diagnosis?
Get hospice help.

10. How do your loved ones feel about the work that you do?
They know it is part of life. They admire the work hospices do.

11. What do you like the most about the hospice that you work with?
I appreciate the team work and helping each other when necessary.

12. Do you have a “motto” that you tend to live by that you would like to share?
One day at a time- make today good, comfortable and pain free.