I have serious cancer and I feel that I'm getting worse and worse. Doctor have already stopped my chemotherapy. Now doc and my parent are starting to talk about end of life care. Because I'm considered too young, I don't well informed about this and my parents seem reluctant to talk about this openly. And I only get a very blurr idea about this kind of treatment.
But I need to know. What's end of life care? What I get with this care? How do they treat me? Is someone who get end of life care mean her death is very near? This is very important to me, and i need to know.
2006-10-01 20:22:51 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
When a patient's health care team determines that the cancer can no longer be controlled, medical testing and cancer treatment often stop. But the patient's care continues. The care focuses on making the patient comfortable. The patient receives medications and treatments to control pain and other symptoms, such as constipation, nausea, and shortness of breath. Some patients remain at home during this time, while others enter a hospital or other facility. Either way, services are available to help patients and their families with the medical, psychological, and spiritual issues surrounding dying. A hospice often provides such services.
2006-10-01 20:35:23 · answer #1 · answered by mysticideas 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You poor thing. I feel so sorry for you and for the fact that your parents aren't talking with you. What is it you were dx with?
End of life care is being able to make the patient as comfortable as possible, meaning no treatments (like chemo or radiation or surgery). Hospice is usually called and they take over, you won't be needing your doctors any longer. They do whatever they can to make life comfortable for you and help your family financially, medically and emotionally. They are truly a God send. But, they are not there to help you get better, Hospice is called when there is no turning back; medically, everything has been done and there is no more use for it, as it will do no good. A horrible, hard decision to make.
Talk with your family. You need to know what to expect. Just because end of life care is being talked about, does not mean you are there yet. It just may mean that in the future, or near future, everyone needs to know what to do to make you as comfortable as possible.
Gosh, I feel bad for even typing this, but you asked and it's horrible that your parents aren't letting you know. Good luck. I wish you the best.
2006-10-03 15:27:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can't say that I blame your parents--it's not the way of things for kids to die before their parents, so you might need to insist.
Basically end of life care is about making sure the patient is kept as pain-free and comfortable as possible, like having a nurse or aide visit to help with bathing, dressing, that sort of thing.
I am most familiar with hospice, here in the US, and usually hospice is brought in when one has less than 6 months to live, according to their doctors. But, if the doctors are wrong, and you live longer than that, you don't get dropped.
It's all about having a "good death", odd as that sounds. With cancer, once you reach a certain point, death is inevitable (not with all, but apparently with yours), so why not spend your time at home, rather than in a hospital. Also, hospice can provide you with whatever counseling you might need, and also will provide that to your family.
And I'm so sorry that you are going through this at a young age. It's just not fair, and I will be thinking of you, even though I don't know you.
2006-10-01 20:40:06 · answer #3 · answered by warriorwoman 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all I would like to tell you I am very sorry to hear about your condition. Especially at a young age as it sounds you are. Generally end of life care means making you comfortable. Hospice is an organization that usually deals with end of life care people. To be considered for hospice, the patient needs a prognosis of less than 6 months. I don't know if this is all the same where you live or not,...but end of life care, no matter where you are, is making you comfortable for the time that you have left.
2006-10-03 04:17:59 · answer #4 · answered by RN806 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just wanted to add a bit of extra info on hospice that I have not seen mentioned yet:
Hospice Nurses are very kind people with great respect for terminal patients and their families, they will follow up and keep in supportive touch with your family for up to a year after you have passed on. It is a wonderful program!
There are two types of Hospice care, inpatient and home health. Inpatient takes care of you in a facility and home health comes to you at your home. They take very good care of patients and therefore, your parents and loved ones do not get completely overwhelmed and can spend more time with you, taking in every last wonderful moment that you are in their life and enjoying it.
May God bless, keep, and strengthen you and your family! Don't be afraid everything is going to be alright and sometimes miracles happen and people mysteriously heal. Just live your life to the fullest and enjoy every moment, let your parents know that it is going to be ok too, they are struggling with this just as much as you are if not more because you are their life, you are the light that brightens their days even if they seem to be upset with you!! Kudos to you for wanting to know more and seeking out that information, you are a very brave girl!!!!
2006-10-05 19:04:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sweetie Iam so sorry you are sick.Maybe you can ask your Dr. to explain and answer your questions.Hospice (what its called here) is usually called in by the Dr.
Hospice is wonderful and they will answer your questions and help you stay out of pain, take care of you ,in any way they can. They also are there for your Mom and Dad.
You will always be with your Mom and Dad. May God Bless You Sweetie and I know he will keep you near.
2006-10-03 09:17:57 · answer #6 · answered by animal lover 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I do think we are in the same boat. I have no more doctor visits and no more medication except for pain killers. I know its terminal and I just enjoy whats left of my life to its fullest with my sons and wife. I want to leave being known as a great father and a fantastic husband.
2006-10-02 08:22:21 · answer #7 · answered by livingonthinice 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
this means tha you have somthing terminal like cancer. they will take you home and make you careful and take care of you until you pass away. No more iv's or hospitals, there usually is someone there who knows how to give shots for the pain. during this time friends and family can come and sit with you and visit when you feel up to it.
2006-10-01 20:27:18 · answer #8 · answered by marilee w 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Are you in a Hospice program, if not, I would recommend you call your local Hospice, and talk to them... They will explain exactly what end of life care is, with their help, which includes doctors,, nurses, social workers, and clergy, they will help you and your parents.... Have the experts explain this care to you.....
You will be in my thoughts and prayers..
2006-10-02 01:30:48 · answer #9 · answered by lorac 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
oh , sweetie , your cancer must be terminal , i am so sorry . end of life care is when hospice comes in and makes sure you are comfortable until death . they provide you with certain medications for whatever you need ..........let hospice help you , and ask all the questions you want, to me , us , nurses , docs , and of course your family.......god bless you and feel free to email me
2006-10-03 17:52:22 · answer #10 · answered by sindi 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋