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Re: death and dying (was Percocet stuff) » Gracie2

Posted by Elizabeth on November 6, 2001, at 15:07:27

In reply to Re: Percocet stuff - Elizabeth, posted by Gracie2 on November 3, 2001, at 18:29:20

> If people can have PCA machines (I'm assuming that's an IV drip) set up at home, I can't imagine why Hospice didn't arrange for my aunt to have one.

(PCA = patient-controlled analgesia, where the person can push a button (or turn a knob or whatever) to adjust the dose to what they need, within set limits)

I think it's probably expensive. Also, of course, lots of times doctors and nurses choose not to give patients options that they *could* give them, based on prejudices or on fear of the government or of the state licensing board.

> That really makes me angry...I just figured that if you wanted an IV, you had to go to the hospital -
> because a nurse had to moniter the IV, or some such reason.

Well, there are risks -- I'm not sure what needs to be done to allow a patient to control IV medication at home, but one reason I said I thought it might be expensive is that a doctor or nurse might need to make house calls every so often to check on it. And changing the dose limit would almost certainly require a doctor's orders.

> Her dying at home was okay at first, since she always enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends.

Yes, that is what I meant when I said I understand why people prefer to die at home.

> The trouble started after the cancer took her mind, and she was unable to communicate.

That is hard! I have some vague memories from when I was on a respirator when I was in the hospital this past spring, and it was very frustrating not to be able to speak. (I was pretty foggy so writing was difficult too.)

> My cousin, who is an LPN, always insisted on giving my aunt the minimal dosage of pain medication recommended, and we would fight
> bout this because my aunt would just curl up in bed and groan.

A lot of nurses seem to have this kind of attitude! It really bothers me.

> I believe, by that time, that her soul was already gone, but her body was still in pain and I couldn't stand the thought.

My belief system isn't much like yours, but I think she probably still had some level of consciousness or awareness. I'm sorry that she -- and you -- had to go through that.

> I love you, Aunt Judy

:-) < hug >

-elizabeth


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poster:Elizabeth thread:82364
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