So I work in a dementia/Alzheimer's unit one of our patients had breast cancer her family didn't wanna try and remove it due to her age. So that being said all they have done was get short term radiation well yesterday I was giving her a shower and I noticed a big mass on her boob she's complaining that her back and spine has been hurting. So we call her son to ask what did he want to do he says nothing but honestly it's nothing we can do she's 94 the treatment or removing it will kill her fast then the cancer. Come to find out the cancer is spreading in her body she's been so weak very sleepy and is losing strength to walk. I just wish I could help her or do something for her but in all reality I can't we just have to let the cancer run it's course and just make her as comfortable as possible.
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I hope the family is willing to look into hospice, it sounds like she needs the comfort care 😢 I’ve been a hospice nurse for years. It’s such a help for patients in this situation.
@tealmermaid that's the hardest part of that job. You see them almost every day. You get to know them and you take care of them. Eventually, you grow close. The hard part is in the end some of them begin to think you are their family and it's hard to not think of them in a similar way. The work you do means so much but it is impossible to not end up taking some of the emotions home with you. I think that's part of what makes a care giver awesome at their jobs though!
@mct it's very hard! I tend to get sad alot and take work home with me knowing I shouldn't. But these people are so innocent all they want is love and affection all they want is someone to care.
@tealmermaid it's so hard in those situations. I spent a lot of time working memory care units and my Grandma and Grandpa were in one at the end too. The families that don't care always make it the worst. When I think about all my parents did, which I never appreciated enough until I became a mom myself, it makes me sick to see the people who really don't care. I try not to judge them because I don't know their full story but it's so hard when you see their loved one suffer every day.
@mct her family is in Wisconsin her son doesn't want to do anything about it. We are going to discuss with the on site doctor and nurse to see if we could try and get her on hospice. But, then again we have to do what her power of attorney wants.
@beemommyof3 and that is very true! Especially when we see them everyday. My patients mean so much they are just so sweet lived amazing lives and just to see them suffer is heart breaking. We just had a lady pass away a few months ago but they do pass in 3's.
Has her son looked into hospice? Do you guys have a care coordinator at your facility? If so you should just mention the amount of pain she is in and ask if they have gone over options with their medical power of Attorney. A lot of people don't realize the options that exist for loved ones and the stress of it all makes it easy for things to be missed.
@beemommyof3 exactly! But honestly we are strong people to work in this kinda field.
@ibirthgreatness I know. We are just gonna keep her as comfortableas possible.
@beemommyof3 I love my job and what I do. I'm just a big cry baby when my patients get sick or when we can't do anything else for them.
That is just so said . I hate that she has to suffer .
@ash621 your completely right. I do too!