Recently I visited a lady at her home who was a palliative care patient. She was seated on the couch in the living room with a turban on her head and a look of anxiety and depression. Her husband was quiet during the entire visit. He was seated in a chair next to the couch and just looked at his wife and did not participate in the conversation. Her son …
Simple suggestions can make such a positive impact
Just three words, a short phrase, heard from an ICU nurse that changed my friend’s well-being as she lay in an ICU bed. In fact, it is the only phrase my friend remembers from her entire hospital stay after having brain surgery to remove a tumor.
She was experiencing nausea, a sick feeling, and needing and wanting care, direction, and guidance from hospital staff. And three powerful words spoken from a …
The power of words in guiding patients toward recovery
I remember like it was yesterday. My patient was a young blond female with two beautiful Samoan dogs. Her name was Margaret. I was only two years younger than she was. The diagnosis was poor. She was friendly when I introduced myself. And she proceeded to tell me about her health issues, how she was diagnosed and what treatment she was receiving. Marge as she wanted to be called was …
The powerful connection of emotions in healthcare
I remember when my best friend was in the hospital thirty years ago and I brought her 3 year old daughter to visit. My friend could not speak. She could only blink one eye and was paralyzed on one side. How she was able to communicate was through the blink of her one eye. I felt her energy of wanting to spend time with those she loved. It was Christmastime …
Compassionate care is a crucial component of care
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