Hospice Facility update 4/9

jim and i
jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
edited April 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Today was rough. Slept well last night but Jim didn't. His daughter went to see him last night and was concerned because she heard a nurse yell at a patient down the hall. This morning when I arrived Jim was in a chair with a tray that locked on. He was hammering at it trying to get it off so he could get up. I went to the girl sitting outside his door and told her he wanted out of the chair and back in bed. She rudely said, "Is he going to stay there? He keeps getting up and he might fall. He needs to stay in the chair." I figured they knew what they were talking about so I went back and told Jim he couldn't go back to bed unless he was going to stay in bed and not try to get up. He said he wasn't staying in bed. He was very agitated and said his heart was racing. He then started to be in pain so I went out and told the girl he was in pain and needed meds. she said, "I doubt that. I will have the nurse check." I went back in and told him he had just had pain meds so they wouldn't give him more. Jim got more agitated and was in severe pain. The chaplain came in and asked how I was that day. I broke down and sobbed and asked why they couldn't have left him on the other pain med since it seemed to work better. I told him they were suppose to be making him more comfortable and they made it worse. He left the room and the nurse came in and said she could give him pain meds every two hours then went to get some. I guess the other girl didn't tell her. Long story short They told me they would check into it a nd the supervisor came to tell me she would address the probllem that it was probably a nurse that worked nights who just talks loud. They finally got him to go to sleep around 7 pm. I pray that he gets a nights sleep instead of 5 minutes at a time. Just before I left the nurse went to feed him and checked his stomach content. The formula from lunch was still there. I guess his system is shutting down. I hope they get him straightened out so I can bring him home to spend his last days. The facility is not far by miles but takes about 20-30 minutes to reach depending on traffic. Thank you everyone for your prayers.

Debbie

Thhings mnuch better today, Wednesday. Jim resting and not agitated. Hopefully he will stay that way and be able to go home in a few days.

Comments

  • wolfen
    wolfen Member Posts: 1,324 Member
    #2
    Debbie

    I read your post with tears starting as I know how difficult this is, to watch the one you love being treated in less than a compassionate manner. Surely their idea of keeping someone comfortable is much different than ours. I'm so sorry the Hospice group has not been doing what they promised.

    There were many times when Ron was hospitalized that I had to speak up for him as he no longer could. I know there are several Hospice groups to choose from in my area, so perahps a different one would take better care of him. I only had dealings with Hospice for less than 24 hours on Ron's last day when 2 nurses shared shifts to take care of his comfort needs after he was transported home.

    I hope you will be able to get a bit more rest and then bring him home where he is loved.

    Luv,

    Wolfen

  • Ladylacy
    Ladylacy Member Posts: 773 Member
    #3
    Jim

    Debbie, I'm so sorry to hear about Jim and the problems you are having with hospice.  You need to speak up and make your concerns known.  Hospice is supposed to be there for his comfortable and the family too not to make him more discomfortable.  I don't know about your area but I know we have two hospice organizations in our area.  Talk with the social worker assigned to Jim's case.  You know like in every job, there are those that shouldn't be in that field at all and the girl sitting in front of Jim's room apparently is in the wrong field.   I'm guessing that hospice was concerned with Jim getting out of bed and falling and breaking a bone or even wandering off and that is why they had him in that chair and that's why the girl was sitting outside his door.

     

    Wishing you both peace and comfort -- Sharon

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #4
    Ladylacy said:

    Jim

    Debbie, I'm so sorry to hear about Jim and the problems you are having with hospice.  You need to speak up and make your concerns known.  Hospice is supposed to be there for his comfortable and the family too not to make him more discomfortable.  I don't know about your area but I know we have two hospice organizations in our area.  Talk with the social worker assigned to Jim's case.  You know like in every job, there are those that shouldn't be in that field at all and the girl sitting in front of Jim's room apparently is in the wrong field.   I'm guessing that hospice was concerned with Jim getting out of bed and falling and breaking a bone or even wandering off and that is why they had him in that chair and that's why the girl was sitting outside his door.

     

    Wishing you both peace and comfort -- Sharon

    hospice

    Sharon, I addressed my concerns at the facility and spoke to the supervisor. All made the excuse that the night nurse has a loud voice or they have a patient that swings at the nurses. Our daughter told the supervisor that she knew the difference between loud voices and yelling at someone. Anyway I am talking to the councelor assigned to his case today and if it happens I again I will move him to the other Hospice here in town. I would not bring him home until he is stabalized because I cannot handle him on my own. I also realized that he they were trying to keep him from falling but it was the CNAs attitude that upset me especially when he was in obvious pain and she said, "I don't think so." without even going into the room.

    He had a good night last night. Only woke one time. I am going to head that way after I talk to the councelor. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

    Debbie

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #5
    jim and i said:

    hospice

    Sharon, I addressed my concerns at the facility and spoke to the supervisor. All made the excuse that the night nurse has a loud voice or they have a patient that swings at the nurses. Our daughter told the supervisor that she knew the difference between loud voices and yelling at someone. Anyway I am talking to the councelor assigned to his case today and if it happens I again I will move him to the other Hospice here in town. I would not bring him home until he is stabalized because I cannot handle him on my own. I also realized that he they were trying to keep him from falling but it was the CNAs attitude that upset me especially when he was in obvious pain and she said, "I don't think so." without even going into the room.

    He had a good night last night. Only woke one time. I am going to head that way after I talk to the councelor. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

    Debbie

    debbie, still praying for you

    debbie, still praying for you both.

    dj

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #6
    Hi Debbie

    That is one of the reasons why when my time comes I want to be at home. I know all this is hard on you and I am sorry you have to go through it but just keep being strong for Jim. On another note there must be more than one Hospice where you live, so if you are not satisfied with the treatment they are giving you there I would move him to another.

    You are both in all my prayers, God Bless

    Tim Hondo

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #7
    In My Prayers...

    Continued...

    John

  • Guzzle
    Guzzle Member Posts: 710
    #8
    Skiffin16 said:

    In My Prayers...

    Continued...

    John

    Peace

    A hospice should be a place peace. Why on earth would an individual like this work in a hospice. My thoughts ate with you.

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