Posted on 12/14/2010 4:37:27 PM PST by wagglebee
Perfectly stated.
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It is a very great honor to be invited to assist the dying. Our patients think we know what dying is, but we just have experience with dying as a process, but not death itself.
As an RN, I am constantly bombarded with images of death and dying and suffering. Here are the meaningful truths that I have discovered:, one way or the other, we're all going to die eventually. I have also learned that seat belts and motorcycle helmets are very good ideas and smoking and getting into barfights are very bad ideas. Finally, if you're lucky, it will be fast. If you're unlucky, you'll lay in a bed for years with tubes stuck in your throat, stomach, urethra, and anus gorkerd out of your mind on ativan and percocets, eaten away by decubitus ulcers, missing your legs from the diabetic ulcers, wishing you had died 20 years ago; in other words, in hell.
To do otherwise, to enable the terminally ill or weary to take their own lives with professional help is to shift the focus at the end of life purely to the grief and anguish we already associate with death.
Euthanasia robs everyone -- both the living and the dying -- of the wisdom and positive, life-affirming experiences so richly attested to in Sinclair's study.
Taking care of someone who is dying takes you beyond yourself. It's hard to describe that to anyone who hasn't experienced it. It's something that stays with you.
I can recall specific people from over 25 years ago, some who may have never known that I was there- but I knew, and knew that providing them with a bit of physical comfort might be all that could be done, but it was important to do that little bit, maybe as much for myself as for that person.
When your number is up...It’s up.
Everyone needs to realize that the REAL reason the leftist vermin promote legalized euthanasia is to save money for themselves. They don’t want these “sick people” sucking up the resources of the socialist utopia that their happy young selves are entitled to enjoy.
The terminally ill who desire euthanasia have also been convinced by the same rhetoric in one way or another. When your snot-nosed leftist neighbors call you a burden often enough, there is a good chance you’ll start to believe it.
I don’t agree with euthanasia but have been at the end of watching a family member die several times. It isn’t pretty and I really didn’t get a warm, fuzzy feeling. With the four family members that I sat with, none got relief from the medication (different cancers). In short, there is no easy death that I have personally seen. That being said, I am glad that I could have helped them by simply sitting with them, reading scripture and holding their hand. The stain of death is not something you easily wash off. Just a thought.
Sounds as though you have done at least one ER rotation.
Thank you for the article.
I am there now. Taking care of a good friend who is 100 years and 5 months old, who is transitioning to her next life.
Can’t describe it and the only people I have been to discuss it have also done or are doing what I am doing.
I can say it is real blessing to help another person and take care of their every need and anticipate their every want.
Can’t really organize it in a way that makes sense except to those who do this for their relatives or even as a job.
I have but I do the LTAC thing mostly now. LTAC is actually pretty interesting but I prefer the ER. Palliative/hospice care would be last choice for a job. I’m glad there are people mentally/spiritually geared for it but I’m not.
My father in law died at home with all of us around him.
It was as good a death as one could hope for.
My thoughts:
I’ve been a nurse for 13 years. 6 of those were in a critical care setting where people died almost every shift. I got use to it. I’d turn the TV on, detach, whatever. Now, I’m an anesthetist so I don’t see patients die often. When I do, it’s often very dramatic as OR deaths are everything made-for-TV.
Two years ago, my grandma died. She had been ill for a long time. When I got the call that her death was near, my Catholic boss (who I love) told me to ask Jesus for the privilege of being with Grandma when she died. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that but I prayed for it nonetheless. And He granted it. I saw her respirations slowing down & becoming agonal. I climbed into bed and cuddled her, like she did me when I was a child. It was truly a blessing to hold her & whisper in her ear while she drew her last breath. I realized after that what an honor it was for me to witness so many peoples’ passings throughout my career. I was just too immature to know it at the time. I pray for all those souls. I can’t remember each one, but still, they were my fellow humans & they’re special to me. I hope I comforted them in some way.
one year ago today, my mom passed away at her home. she was surrounded by her family, me, my dad, my brothers and my aunt were all touching her when her heart stopped beating. it was not a healing experience for any of us. it just was pain and more pain.
I understand. My father was haunted by his mother's death. She died a painful death, and it was nearly unbearable for him. Dad died a few hours after we left his side. We thought he was getting better. He knew otherwise, and I'm convinced he wanted to spare us the torment. He died knowing how much he was loved, and we knew how much he loved us.
Working in nursing homes and on terminal wards didn’t seem to enhance the lives of friends of mine through the years.
Thank you for the work you do.
My mother died peacefully at home July 9 and I was glad I was there...even if she didn’t know it...as far as I know.
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