Studying hard--well, listening hard at the training sessions. I would really like to know a great deal more about alzheimer's and cancer. I think I will do some reading on my own. The stuff about pain was very interesting--they claim it can take days to get the right formulation, after consultations between phd pharmacists and mds, to control the pain. There are,they say,many drugs. I did not have the moxy to ask about heroin in a group, but of course I will.
One rather perky,hefty nurse cheerfully announced that "dehydration doesn't really hurt,you know" upon which I kind of jumped down her throat. Try telling that to Terrri Schiavo's mom. Or my mom,who was continuoysly dosed with morphine but not an IVB (though her kidneys,before the dehydration did its damage,were in fine shape.) I sure don't want to die with my so dry they are glued open.
Anyway, I don't think this is a hospice where those things happen--staffed by catholics, priests on the board of directors.
Perky ignoramuses aside this is a wonderful hospice and the boss nurse is a saint. So is the social worker. Most of us have had experiences with losing family members and it adds to the compassion.
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