About Palliative Care
Palliative Care
I'm saying goodbye as your Guide to Palliative Care. It has been an incredible opportunity to write about my passion - compassionate and quality care at the end of life. I'll be focusing more of my time on direct patient care as a hospice and palliative care nurse while working towards a master's degree in nursing.
I will always treasure the emails of gratitude and encouragement I've received from so many of my readers over the last few years. It has been my biggest pleasure, knowing I've helped so many people learn more about palliative care, hospice care, dying, and grief.
We can stay in touch on Twitter (@angelamorrow).
Saying Goodbye originally appeared on About.com Palliative Care on Tuesday, June 21st, 2011 at 20:02:00.
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J
ack Kevorkian, the physician also known as "Dr. Death" for his murder conviction in 1999, met his own death early Friday morning. Kavorkian was convicted of murder after broadcasting a video of himself injecting an ALS patient with a lethal dose of medication with the patient's consent. Kavorkian himself admitted to assisting 130 people end their lives. He was applauded by right to die groups and condemned by much of the public and the law.
Kavorkian was paroled in 2007 for decline in health. The next year, he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in Congress.Kavorkian was hospitalized in Detroit last month for pneumonia and kidney problems. According to his friend, he died early Friday morning in a Detroit area hospital.
Jack Kevorkian, AKA "Dr. Death", dies at age 83 originally appeared on About.com Palliative Care on Friday, June 3rd, 2011 at 15:14:34.
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Nobody wants to face death but no one can escape it. We can, however, hope that our own death will be comfortable, peaceful, and personal. Planning ahead and preparing for death is the best way to make sure your death is all of those things. Follow these tips to prepare for your own death.
Preparing for Death
Prepare for Death originally appeared on About.com Palliative Care on Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 at 13:15:16.
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I was having my cup of coffee and watching the Today Show this morning when a story came on that nearly made me spit coffee into my oatmeal. A young mother in Durham, N.C. is fighting to keep her kids after a judge cited her "uncertain future" as a reason for awarding her ex-husband full custody. This young mom, you see, is undergoing palliative treatment for stage IV breast cancer.
Alaina Giordano was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer 3 years ago at the age of 33. The cancer treatment put a strain on her marriage and she is now going through a divorce. Her husband couldn't find work in N.C. so he moved to Chicago, which is where the judge is ordering the children, ages 5 and 11, to move in June - 300 miles away from their mom.
I'm appalled because I can't believe that a judge would take away a woman's children when her time with them is limited enough as it is. This mom isn't abusive, addicted to drugs, or breaking any laws. She is simply undergoing monthly cancer treatment in addition to going on with daily life as a single mom.
Yes, this woman's health is uncertain. Her breast cancer is incurable (think Elizabeth Edwards) and her prognosis is uncertain. She could live 5 more years, she could live 20, or, like the rest of us, she could get in a car accident tomorrow and die then. In reality, isn't everyone's future "uncertain"?
The other reason the judge gave for her decision is that Giordano doesn't have a job and can't support her kids. The judge stated that she should move to Chicago as well if she wants to see her kids. How she is expected to work while raising two children on her own and undergoing cancer treatment is a mystery. Isn't that what alimony, child support, and public welfare is for? If there is a case that warrants public assistance, this would be it!
Giordano appeared on the Today show this morning in hopes that the publicity would help her find a pro bono attorney who will file her appeal. If you have any family law attorney friends in North Carolina, pass this along! You can also help spread the word by sharing this on Facebook or Twitter.
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Mother with breast cancer fights to keep her kids originally appeared on About.com Palliative Care on Wednesday, May 11th, 2011 at 13:53:23.
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Hospice patients and their caregivers often wonder when it is appropriate to call hospice after hours. Some are super diligent and call hospice for non-urgent matters at all hours of the night. Others are too hesitant to call and suffer in pain for hours before calling for help. Your hospice team wants to be available to assist you in times of crisis but don't necessarily want to be called at 2:00am for non-urgent matters (example: "My mom is running low on adult diapers.")
These guidelines can help you determine whether you should call hospice for advice after hours or wait until normal business hours:
What is a Hospice Emergency?
When to Call Hospice After Hours originally appeared on About.com Palliative Care on Friday, May 6th, 2011 at 12:36:57.
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I worked on-call triage from Sunday night into Monday morning - a job I don't do often because I really like a good night's sleep. I was filling in for a nurse who had her baby a couple weeks early, but I believe her with a newborn and myself with the telephone got the same amount of sleep: almost none.
Some of the calls that came in really surprised me. I was roused from a light doze at 12:00am to inform me that the caller's father was going to need a refill of his medication in the morning. I can't figure out why that call couldn't have waited until normal business hours. Another call in the middle of the night was to inform me that a patient was constipated. I can't imagine the patient wanted an enema in the middle of the night and we certainly don't send nurses out in the middle of the night to do them. Other calls came in that were urgent and needed my attention.
As much as hospice nurses want and need to be there for our patients in times of crisis, we don't want to be woken up in the middle of the night for non-urgent matters. Remember, we are better nurses when we are well rested and healthy. I think it's important for hospice staff to educate patients and caregivers about what constitutes an after-hours emergency and what issues can wait until the next day. I am creating some guidelines that will be posted on this site very soon to help patients and caregivers, but in the meantime I'll leave you with this advice:
If the hospice patient is in pain or suffering in any other way, has any emergency that you would normally call 911 for, or if you have urgent caregiving questions that can't wait until morning call the hospice nurse for advice. If you need medication refills, are dealing with constipation, or if you have general questions about caregiving, wait until daylight hours to call the hospice nurse.
Common End-of-Life Symptoms: This list can help you recognize and manage some of the most common end-of-life symptoms.
What is a Hospice Emergency? originally appeared on About.com Palliative Care on Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 at 17:08:40.
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I've made it perfectly clear to my loved ones that I want a celebration when I die, not a stuffy, sad funeral. I imagine something very close to my wedding - festive, great food, music, drinks, and a good time had by all. My husband is all for it; my parents cringe and extol the importance of somber grief. Oh, if my parents only knew how the Ghanians do it!
The New York Times reported on the growing number - both is size and frequency - of Ghanian funeral celebrations in New York City. These celebrations, whether done in Ghana or in New York City, are all-night parties with DJs, photographers, videographers, and open bars. Looking for a good time on Friday night? Find a funeral! You don't even have to know the deceased to join in on the fun.
Let's discuss: are the Ghanians on to something here? Are we too somber here in America? What kind of funeral would you want?
I say, bring on the party!
5 Reasons to Plan Your Own Funeral (hint: you can decide for yourself how raucous the event should be!)
How to Plan a Funeral
Ghanian Funerals are a Party originally appeared on About.com Palliative Care on Tuesday, April 12th, 2011 at 12:33:33.
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All forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, are life-limiting illnesses that will eventually lead to death. While individuals are living longer with dementia, the end does come eventually. A lot of people wonder what death from dementia looks like and what they can expect as their loved one or friend progresses through the illness.
Of course, each individual with dementia is unique and will follow their own unique course, but there are some fairly consistent changes seen as individuals with dementia near death. This article can explain what to expect if your loved one is dying from dementia.
What is it Like to Die from Dementia?
What is it Like to Die from Dementia? originally appeared on About.com Palliative Care on Thursday, March 31st, 2011 at 12:38:55.
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