“I remember you,” said Gracie with the look of having found a long-lost friend. “You gave my husband the option to be treated aggressively in the hospital or return home with palliative care. He chose to go home.” I hesitated to ask, “How did he do?” Gracie went on to say that her husband had passed in the last month, yet lived nine months … [Read more...] about Be Willing to Fail Patients
Caregivers
Sophie’s Choice: A Family Caregiver’s Charge to be Hopeful or Fearless
Like a hot potato being tossed from one player to the next, Leonard went from his primary doctor to an ENT specialist and finally to the emergency department due to a tumor obstructing his airway. Sophie, his daughter, stated, ”He needs one of those tubes in his neck that will allow him to breathe.” At 93, the emergency doctor took offense at the … [Read more...] about Sophie’s Choice: A Family Caregiver’s Charge to be Hopeful or Fearless
The Unsure Church Nurse
At 83, Dorothy was a good person – but a lousy patient. Frustrated with lower abdominal pain, she refused to take pain medication while in the emergency department. She finally gave in but developed heartburn from the morphine. Once her stomach settled, the doctor relayed the bad news, “Dorothy, you have uterine cancer that’s pushing on your … [Read more...] about The Unsure Church Nurse
Advance Directive Decision-Tree for Caregivers
On April 16, National Healthcare Decisions Day prompts those aged 18+ to complete their advance directives. This challenging assignment often gets postpones because most of us aren’t planning to end life anytime soon. Yet, life-threatening situations occur when we least expect it and emergency physicians are charged to save lives at all costs. Is … [Read more...] about Advance Directive Decision-Tree for Caregivers
Bargaining in Your Patient’s Best Interest
Peter, a spry 91-year-old gentleman with progressive dementia, arrived in the ER after pulling out his feeding tube while sleeping. His daughter, Linda, stated, "He hates this thing. Does he really need it?" While hospitalized for a hip fracture, Peter’s nurses observed him choking while eating. A swallow study with contrast revealed he was at … [Read more...] about Bargaining in Your Patient’s Best Interest
The Caregiver’s Code Green
Jim was a 52-year-old ex-marine built like Adonis. He had no significant medical problems, but had been experiencing vomiting and diarrhea that he thought was a stomach bug. Jim was not big on going to doctors and decided to wait it out. Jim’s wife, Kim, called 911 when she found her husband unresponsive. He was dead on arrival to the emergency … [Read more...] about The Caregiver’s Code Green
Summertime Blooms for Caregivers
Karl looked to be in the prime of life. He was 62-years-old with an athletic build and an easy-going personality. He came to the ER with his wife, Julie, for difficulty breathing. Karl had experienced a series of unfortunate illnesses that began with an ankle injury. Following surgery, he developed a flesh-eating infection that resulted in … [Read more...] about Summertime Blooms for Caregivers
Advance Care Tools for Caregivers
As Ryan sat at his desk, it seemed like any other workday — until he felt a sudden wave of pressure in his chest. He took a couple of deep breaths, hoping it would pass, but the pain began to radiate into his left arm. Just 45 years old and slightly overweight, Ryan wondered if he could be having a heart attack. He didn’t want to overreact, nor was … [Read more...] about Advance Care Tools for Caregivers