As a nurse, I think this film should be shown
to every patient entering this often heart
pounding and emotionally draining disease.
My dismay is that due to sheer numbers the
family and the patient will often get poor
information, no information and frequently
little support. I have taken care of patients
who were getting an indwelling port placed
who had no idea as to the design, management,
or rational for the device other than "it will
save my veins".
I have taken care of patients entering
chemo therapy who feel they have no other choices for treatment and have never researched
alternate pathways or have an inkling how
chemo will effect their lives.
I have taken care of patients who were not
fully warned about the management of skin
care and tissue damage behind radiation.
I feel as if it were my fault at times that
these poor souls are simply so ill informed. I
feel the system I work for has let them down.
I always give the "buzz words" to the family
and patient so they can go online and read in
hope they become stronger and better informed
about their choices.
Lastly, I find the better educated the patient, the better they deal with the
treatments required. I always provide hope.
I provide hope even if that hope means a
pain free death or a life without the
sense of taste or smell. In my hospital
setting I rarely get to see the outcome of
my interactions. I only hope I do some good.
I only hope I assist my patients to become
a stronger person like lovely lady Carr.