Tip a Volunteer?

DivineMrsM

I hope my question doesnt' offend anyone.  Today I was getting my monthly IV of Zometa at the oncologist's office treatment room.  I've been interested in Reiki, and it just so happened, after going to this office for over a year, that today a Reiki volunteer came in.  He asked me if I'd be interested in a Reiki treatment, or whatever it is referred to.  I said, "sure!" and so I had one.  It was very pleasant.  The volunteer and I made some small talk, and then it was over.  

I wasn't sure if I was supposed to tip him.  What is the right thing to do?

barbe1958

Both my parents were volunteers before they died. They both would have politely refused a tip. It's not an insult, it's just not needed! They volunteer for their reasons and get what they need out of it. On the other hand, the guy today was a pro, but HE offered his services. How did you determine that it was going to be free? Did he say "free" or something to that effect? A bit of a sensitive area for sure. He was looking to gain you as a client obviously...

Anonymous

Ah, awkward to be sure.  Think, when offered a treatment like that, I'd ask "Is it complementary?" or will I need to make a payment?"  Something like that -

Did it help?  Make any difference?  I've never had Reiki.

leggo

Being offered or accepting a tip would kind of defeat the purpose of "volunteering", I think.  JMO

DivineMrsM

I'm the kind of gal who's first question for anything is almost always "what does it cost?"  I was sitting there all relaxed, bright sun shining in thru the window, so maybe when he popped in out of the blue, that's why the question never entered my mind until later when he was all done.  He had a big name tag on that said "Bob, Volunteer" and afterwards gave me a questionairre.  It's pretty simple, can be filled out anonymously and mailed in to the hospital.  Theres no kind of phone number or office number or address on it and no request even for donations.

barbe1958

You did the right thing MrsM!! He was definitely a volunteer and not just saying it. He got pleasure out of giving you the treatment, so you gave as much as you got. Nice one!

Anonymous

Agree with Barbe

now, for the really important part, did it help??????  Was it hands on, like a massage, or just moving hands near you?  I've always been curious about reiki, but never had it.

DivineMrsM

I found the experience very pleasant.  At this point, I am very open to "integrated medicine", something to work along side conventional treatments.  What he did was place a hand on my head and one on my shoulder. It lasted about 10 minutes.  He said we could chit-chat thru the process, so we did.  It was very calming to me.  So, in that respect, yes, I would say it helped.  I'd like to have a series of these Reiki treatments, I hope to find out how to go about setting up more sessions. 

Leah_S

At the oncology day ward where I have treatments there are volunteers who come and do massages and reflexology. I think reiki is also offered but I'm not sure. Tips are never offered nor are they expected. They are professionals who come in through a volunteer organization.

Leah

Anonymous

Just thinking - how wonderful it is there are people who do this.  At Dana Farber, during infusions, there were lovely women who offered books, and others with invitations for food, sandwiches, which I loved - yup, I ate ravenously while getting the Red Devil! Thanks to all those Angelic people who give of themselves to help during the most difficult times.  Can't be easy to see so many people suffering, even tho' the treatments are helping, in many cases, saving lives, it's still not easy and I was just being reminded by this thread of how generous people can be, often are, and how much I appreciate it.

thanks TDMM - I love the monthly acupuncture treatments I get now.  Has helped me so much.  More energy, no joint pain ( from Arimidex).  Many hospitals have Complementary Care Centers which also offer Reiki - I know Dana Farber in Boston does, so does Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York.  I can almost FEEL the soothing warming presence of having a hand on my head and shoulder.  Think there is a great deal of healing we can be giving to each other in many ways. Please let us know if you do get more treatments.  I'm going to look into it here too.

DivineMrsM

Sunflowers, I'm going Monday afternoon for my very first acupuncture treatment ever. It, too, is because I have a lot of joint pain.  I also have numbness and tingling in my wrists and hands on and off thru the day (worse at night).  And, not sure what this is related to, but my FEET are also sore.  I'm curious to see if/how the acupunture can help.

How long have you done acupuncture?  Where to you get it done?  What is a session like? 

Anonymous

MRSM

Mine was from Arimidex ..acupuncture is HEAVENLY.  They offer acupuncture at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA, in their Complementary Care Department - but it's more than a 2 hour drive for me, so I see a woman locally.

The "needles" are so thin, fine, they really have nothing to do with what we think of when we say needles.  My acupuncturist uses a Chinese method, I think most in USA do, don't know any who don't - and she also has some chinese herbs which have REALLY HELPED control my hay fever.

Mine takes about 50 minutes - she "reads" my pulse - several points on my wrists - then puts inthe needles - I'm on a table, with a pillow under my head, and another (2) under my knees - and sort music, and I usually fall asleep.....aaaaahhhhhhhh.... so soothing

Happy for you to have this to look forward to... it took a few treatments for the pain to go away completley  - now I only go once a month.  "maintenance"  Have  been going for about 3 years. Noticed I didn't feel aswell when I stopped for a while ( trying to save $, not covered by my health insurance) but WORTH IT.  Acupuncture and MASSAGE are what I call The Bookends of My Well Being.

crazy4carrots

Re tipping a volunteer:  I was a volunteer at Princess Margaret Hospital (cancer tx and research centre in Toronto) for many, many years.  I worked closely with patients and staff and always said that volunteers get 100 times more satisfaction and pleasure from helping others than the effort put into it.  There were times when I (or my colleagues) were offered "tips", because people do want to express their appreciation.  We always said that a donation to the Hospital would be very much appreciated.  Sometimes a patient would bring in a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates.  Those would be gratefully accepted, and then flowers placed in a waiting room, and chocolates given to the hardworking staff.

One of the nicest things to do is to make a donation to the cancer facility "in honour of" the volunteers and/or staff  who helped you the most.

Mrs. M., Bob the Volunteer asked you to fill out the questionnaire to determine if you were helped by Reiki.  Those questionnaires will be compiled and the Department of Volunteer Services may start offering Reiki on a regular basis.  I think that would be wonderful! 

DivineMrsM

Sunflowers, this may sound funny, but what do you wear when you go for acupuncture?  I was told to wear loose clothing, I'm not sure if that means sweat pants or what.  I have to drive to the appt. immediately after work (casual dress clothes) so I'm not sure if I need to take a change of clothes with me.

It's going to cost me $70, not covered by insurance.  I didn't think the price was too bad. You have made me feel very good about going.  My college-age son said, oh, no way would he ever do something like that!  

lindasa, and others who've responded, thank you for your insight on the right thing to do regarding volunteer tipping.  I definitley plan to send in my questionairre, giving the reiki experience a positive review. 

Joanne_53

DivineMrsM --- I have had a few acupuncture treatments for my shoulder -- my Physio does this as part of my treatment since my surgery.  Mine is not as long as Sunflowers -- only about 15 minutes and consists of about 8 needles in various trigger points on my shoulder, neck and forearm.  I have to take my shirt off and put a gown on (really a wrap with velcro).  I have found this to be very helpful.  The needles do not hurt at all -- maybe pin prick.  Good luck and I look forward to hearing what you think of the whole thing.

Joanne 

karen1956

make a donation in their honor.....and make sure to let the supervisors know how pleased you are...that will mean a lot to the volunteer.

Lilyn

DivineMrs.M. The Wellspring Centres in Toronto do offer complimentary Reiki treatments. I believe you are allowed to book 6 treatments, I attend the Wellspring Centre (at Sunnybrook). There are so many amazing programs here for cancer patients. Exercise, yoga, tai chi, cooking classes, support groups etc. I am currently taking the Healing Journey course. Look up Wellspring in Toronto and check out the schedules. Reiki needs to be booked through reception and that can be done over the phone. Take care

Anonymous

DMrsM

I'd bring along a pair of sweat pants, something very comfortable, even change at the appointment. Whatever you feel comfortable wearing.  I live in elastic waist pants, winter sweats, summer linen, with legs wide enough so my acupuncturist can turn each of my knees into "porcupines" as I call them.

Price you are being changed sounds like the "middle range" depending on where you live.  Several insurance companies are now covering the treatment, just not YET where I live in MA.

Several goo NIH ( National Institute of Health) studies on the value of acupuncture.

DivineMrsM

Lilyn, oh how I wish I could take advantage of the services offered at Wellsprings Centre.  It sounds wonderfully supportive.  Except I live in Toronto, Ohio, a tiny town of 5,000 along the Ohio River, about an hour from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania which is where I go to see my onc.  I'm also going there for the acupuncture.  

Sunflowers, I'm taking sweats with me today, thanks for the advice.   

Lilyn

 Sorry DivineMr I saw Toronto and I thought it said ON whoops! Anyhow I am sure you will find a great place for Reiki and enjoy the acupunture,take care

Anonymous

DivineMrsM

Hope the acupuncture session was a wonderful experience....

GramE

I have been a volunteer in various settings, including nursing home and hospital.   Never once did I expect a "tip".   It was my way of given back and using my time to help others.     

A very dear friend of mine (who has since passed on) used to carry stickers - hearts, smileys, birds, etc - and would offer one to someone who had helped her or who "needed" one.   Since her passing, I have done the same and found some very colorful neon colored smileys and stars.    Example - phlebotomist when taking blood - gave her one and she had such a real smile that it made MY day.

  

DivineMrsM

Hello, ladies.  Sorry it's taken awhile to get back to everyone about the acupuncture.  This past weekend, me & DH took a trip to NYC for the 1st time ever......I so loved it, but was sort of busy plus tired after our return.

Re:  the acupuncturist.  Well, I guess I could say I felt a little let down.  The woman who did the acupunture I liked very well.  She was a master acupuncturist, and had such a calming presence, probably not much older than 30 years old.  Got some background on me, then went about her work.  The process was very calming, too, and the needles didn't bother me a bit.  

But I did not feel as tho it alleviated any of my symptoms, like tingling of wrists and fingers, and pain in feet. I thought maybe after a few days I might get some relief, but I really didn't.  She told me I should come back once a week for awhile, and that the procedure has a cummulative effect.  But I had to question how long I want to keep paying $70 a week for something that I wasn't getting an immediate benefit from.  Hm.....any comments? 

Joanne_53

I can't say either way -- I go for physio 2x a week and the acupuncture is part of the therapy - 20 minutes -- each time -- I think it has helped me. 

Anonymous

Divine

it IS true about the cummulative effect.  I think, if you can, that 4 visits would give you a good idea of if the cummulative effect is working or you.   With some doctors,my "skeptical" self would think I was being oered into more visits - but with acupuncture, I have from personal experiene come to understand the effect takes more time.

Eastern medicine, unlike so much in Western medicine, is, well, more subtle.  That's how I describe it.  I am now on a maintenance schedule of once a month - which seems to work for me.  If I could, I'd go once a week!!!!!  So I understand completely what you're saying.

So glad you got to see Noo Yawk.  I used to live there.  Fun place. Fabulous museums. 

DivineMrsM

Re:  New York....wow, I felt like I fit right in there.  We went practically non-stop for two days, saw lots of highlights....not enough time to see it all, but got to the top of Empire State Building, Ellis Island, 9/11 Memorial, ect.  Would still love to see Grand Central Station, Museum of Natural History, and walk around a bit in Central Park as well as see a Broadway show or the Rockettes!

Sunflowers, thank you for your insight.  I will re-think this thing about the acupuncturist.  The woman did suggest that I make a serries of appointments at one time (say, every Friday at 2 pm for 4 weeks).  So perhaps I will commit to at least that many.  Of course, if money were no object, I would not hesitate to continue for awhile.  I kind of liked it.  In the meantime, I got a DVD from the library on yoga, and I want to try that out as well and see if it offers any relief.

barbe1958

I used to get massages. A massage every week for 5 1/2 years. When I stopped due to finance issues (or lack thereof) I was so crippled I had to start using a cane!!! I've weaned myself off the cane, but keep it in the front seat of my car. I even have a handicapped license plate! Massage is the only therapy I am willing to pay for when I can afford it.

Anonymous

barbe

I HEAR YOU..and send a comforting HUG.  ALSO, so many of the providers I know work on a "sliding scale" - some even "barter"

Check in your commnity to see if you have a Time Bank, or some kind of a barter network.  IT IS FABULOUS - and you are SO SO SO SO talented, your time would be scopped up in a minute! Really - the concept of Time Banking is really ( FINALLY!) catching on... good luck....