Diana Cazier Shares: Personal Hospice Experiences Part 2

Diana Cazier

 For some, turning to a Hospice organization is tantamount to “giving up”.  It is a difficult decision to decide that the best course of treatment is to forego treatment that will prolong life and just let the disease run its course.  An example of this is Mrs. P who was on dialysis due to a complication of diabetes.  On the morning of December 23, 2008 she was scheduled to have another dialysis session.  She had been feeling poorly for quite a while and decided that she didn’t want to continue dialysis.  After discussing the matter with her family it was decided to start her on Hospice.  Without that life-sustaining treatment she only lived another two weeks but she did it in the manner and at the time she preferred.  Fighting the illness or condition may not always be the best option for some patients, especially those who have lived a long life and are ready to move on.  The services that Hospice offers help not only the patient but also the family come to terms with the impending death.

            Mrs. P’s time on hospice was relatively short but in that time she and her family (she was living with her daughter and her family) benefited greatly from Hospice.  Her daughter told me that one of the best things about the Hospice care was how much it freed her to be able to focus on just being with her mom and not have to fight with her to get some of the daily living tasks that she was doing previously.  Her best memory was having the whole extended family together for New Years Day.  Her mother was alert and able to visit with everyone.

            Mrs. P. passed away on Jan 7 and her son-in-law was with her and called the Hospice nurse at that time.  Hospice called the mortuary and sent their CNA.  The CNA cleaned her up and gave the family time to say their goodbyes.  The mortuary then came, covered her in a nice quilt and took her away. 

            When she spoke to me the daughter commented on the contrast between this experience and what they went through with her father.  When he died the family called the mortuary, who then came and placed him in a bag and left with him.  She said that the peace they had with her mother was not there with him and she felt that the difference was the care they received from the Hospice Agency.

            The care didn’t end there.  The day after her mom’s passing Hospice came in and cleaned up all her medical supplies and medications.  The Hospice nurse and CNA were there for the funeral.  Since then they have received several phone calls to see how they are doing.

            Hospice is not giving up!  It is truly getting the best care possible when that care is needed