Close to people | Stories from Bethel
"I have become more alive here"
A fountain gurgles in the garden. The path the water takes sounds gentle. Thomas Haustein enjoys the soothing melody and is happy to leave the large sliding door to the terrace open a little. "My room is beautifully situated. It just feels good here - right from the start," says the 57-year-old, sitting upright in his bed.
For a few days now, he has only been able to enjoy the idyllic garden of the "Hospiz Am Ostpark" in Dortmund through the large floor-to-ceiling glass front. "I currently feel too weak to leave my bed," says the man suffering from cancer. Then there is a knock at the door. Social worker Christopher Luig enters. "You're looking better today, Thomas!" the employee remarks. "Yes, I'm slowly working my way forward again," says Thomas Haustein with a smile.
It was above all empathetic Bethel employees, such as Chistopher Luig, who took away his fear of dying, emphasises Thomas Haustein. With many conversations, they lifted him out of a terrible depressive mood. The dialogue and contact with the other guests at the hospice also helps him. "We're like a little family here. This is the right place to enjoy as many wonderful days as possible," he is convinced.
"We're like a little family here. This is the right place to enjoy as many beautiful days as possible."
All cater to wishes
Six months ago, the single man from Dortmund was diagnosed with gall bladder cancer. "That pulled the rug out from under my feet," says the father of two adult children. For the past four months, he has been a guest at the hospice, where people with a serious advanced illness are cared for and supported during the remainder of their lives - with pastoral, medical and nursing care. Thomas Haustein's cancer is also advanced. A cure is no longer possible. Nevertheless, the man, who worked as a shunter in a large haulage company, is grateful and relieved that he can spend his remaining time in the Bethel hospice. Everyone honoured his wishes, he says. The palliative medical care also helps him to feel as little pain as possible and thus still have a certain quality of life. "The 24-hour care here is the best thing I could have wished for. I've become even more alive here."
Text: Gunnar Kreutner | Photo: Thomas Richter
This story simply told
Thomas Haustein lives in a hospice in Dortmund. People who will not live much longer are cared for here. Thomas Haustein has cancer. He feels at home in the hospice. The staff take away his fear of dying. And they alleviate his pain. There is always someone there for him at the hospice. He wants to enjoy as many happy days as possible.
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Offers & services
The Hospiz am Ostpark is characterised by its bright, friendly and open atmosphere. The hospice garden invites you to relax and unwind. Guests can surround themselves with personal belongings in ten cosy single rooms. There is also a large care bathroom in the building. Other living rooms, a balcony, the terrace, the garden and the conservatory are barrier-free and can be used for personal everyday activities and socialising.
Helping people at the end of life
No one should be alone on their last journey through life. We therefore ask you to please support the expansion of hospice work.
Thank you very much!
