Comments on: Why Aren’t You Watching This?

By: Irene

Irene — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:54:40 +0000

hello there
beautiful blog!
i’m a 30-year old md, a resident in anesthesia and intensive care in Italy. EXACTLY the same kinda things happen here… all the time… good to see we’re living the same experiences.

By: shrimplate

shrimplate — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 17:48:54 +0000

Down but not out,

Thanks for that. You seem to be, from your post, well-grounded in reality and very gracious, and caregivers can’t ask for more than that from their patients. People like yourself are always a pleasure to work with.

The patient *always* dies.

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 02:22:55 +0000

Wow..this blog really touched me. Its so sad how people can just “throw” other people away and can’t be bothered. I’m currently thinking about a career in Nursing but I don’t think I’m emotionally strong enough times like those.

By: Down, but not out

Down, but not out — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 00:20:13 +0000

Thank you for your excellent post about the terminally ill and their families.

I am a relatively young man (39), I developed cancer out of the blue two years ago. Despite the superb care and extensive treatment from the hospital the cancer could not be contained and has now become widespread. The prognosis now gives me a few months more.

From the moment I knew I was terminal, I recognised the horrendous fights that could arise if my wishes were not expressly stated by me.

I therefore discussed my feelings with my family and partner together so, while some of them may not agree with me, at least there can be no doubt. I translated this into a document which I distributed to everyone concerned.

I am “fortunate” in that I have received very clear opinion on life expectancy, thus enabling some degree of forward planning. I have also drawn up my funeral plans, which have been discussed and agreed.

I did not intend this to be a me me me posting, but if you been told that you are terminally ill, I urge you to get this potentially hideous situation out of the way now. Draw up your will while you’re about it! I found it very difficult, but now that it’s done and dusted, I can get on with enjoying some quality time with those that I love and care about.

And the last word goes to the NHS staff from the various disciplines that I encounter, who are unfailingly calming, caring and professional. Cancer is such an aggressive disease and can be difficult to cope with, but people like you seem able to take some of the pain away with just a smile or a simple squeeze of the hand

Thank you so much, you are all amazing.

By: patrizio1

patrizio1 — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 13:52:21 +0000

DON’T KID YOURSELF, A LOT OF THOSE FAMILIES ARE LIVING IN THE PATIENT’S HOUSE,CASHING SOCIAL SECURITY AND PENSION CHECKS.LET’S NOT FORGET THE DR(S) WHO TELL THE FAMILY NOT TO GIVE UP HOPE KNOWING THAT THE LEVO-DEAD IS MAXED OUT.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 19:40:17 +0000

I’m currently doing my prereqs to go back for an accelerated BSN degree. During my undergrad I worked as a CNA in a hospital and saw many of the same things you write about. Those exact problems (dying patients, families in turmoil and the intense knowledge of humanity one can only gain while working in healthcare) are the reasons I wanted to return to the field and become a nurse. Since I’m not in healthcare right now, I’ve turned to your blog to keep my mind somewhat involved in the real nursing world. Thanks, and I wish you peace with your career.

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 03:06:56 +0000

Yet another frustrating aspect of nursing. Sounds like they need an ethics meeting regarding that person.

By: diana

diana — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 01:45:50 +0000

This was well written and I share your feelings whole heartedly. I work at a hospital (that will remain unnamed) primarily for the elderly. My patients are usually late 60′s to mid 70′s easily. The have COPD, DM, PVD, CRI, Dementia, Alcoholism- you name it. They come in for a CABG, a AAA, whatever and some of them never leave. I wonder- hmmm… death by hospital? Some days it doesn’t feel good to come to work. So I struggle with what I am given and it breaks my heart when they ask me (when they can) “Am I going to go home” and I know they know the answer. So you are there for the family because it is usually them that is having problems believing that there is true love in letting someone’s suffering end. Even if you yourself have to suffer- can you love someone enough to take a little yourself and help their hurting stop? Or like you pointed out: do we lead people to believe we can do miraculous things? I think there are lessons out there- I know if I am fortunate to live to my 70′s I will carefully review what quality of life I have and whether I am willing to gamble that I can survive a major surgery and the icu before letting someone loose on my body. I would almost be tempted to make those who feel the need to “love me too much” personally financially responsible for what is done beyond what I have legally requested. We have a few dead million dollar men (a mild exageration)who have passed through our facility and I doubt their family is paying for it.

By: beajerry

beajerry — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 12:38:59 +0000

Sad situations sometimes have no solution.

By: emmy

emmy — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 14:39:31 +0000

One thing to consider. Does the latter patient’s family have a place to stay while they are there? If you have another patient’s family occupying the waiting room, then there might not be a place for them. When my mother was ill there was a large Chinese family that had overtaken the only waiting room. When I went in there they let me know in silent ways that I was intruding. I had no where to be and when the nurses finally started complaining, I found a hospice to care for my mother. To this day it still makes me angry that the nurses would rather condemn me than see that I had a place where I could be there.