He looked at me and asked “Is this it?” I looked at him, my eyes dewy with compassion and took his hand saying “It very well could be.” He squeezed my hand, struggling to breath he said “I just want you to know it have been my
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Being present/but not present at the same time when my dad was actively dying. I didn’t fully understand as a daughter or a new nurse. Year later, palliative care is my focus so I can hopefully help others understand what is happening and feel supported.
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In June 2013 my mother passed away, I was homeless for 8 days as a result of a devastating flood and I provided medical care to a 36-year old physician colleague. He was weeks from completing his surgical residency training and starting a long-awaited Fellowship in the
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I had a patient on our palliative care unit who was completely comfortable and it was the last few minutes of her life. It was late at night and just me and her daughter there. My “medical” nursing role was done and I was able to just
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Sitting with a family as they sat around the bed of their mom/wife/sister/grandmother/aunt. I was in awe of this family — all present and yet so scared, sad and angry. I could feel their love for my patient and yet so much stress in the room. I
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Le fait d’avoir accompagné ma mère dans sa fin de vie, et ce, pendant plusieurs mois, a marqué deprintivement ma pratique clincique, goitant las dimension sacrée du temps de l’space et de la presénce… The fact of having accompanied my mother during her end of life journey
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All the clients I have cared for in their final months, days and hours! I remember every client who I had the privilege of caring for at the end of their life. Some I was along with, holding their hand, some had family and loved ones present
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In an acute care setting, I took care of a young male client. Throughout his week with us, I supported his mother during this ordeal. When he passed away one week later, I wasn’t working. I attended the funeral for my grieving process. One year later, on
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Arriving on my interview day 5 years ago at the lighthouse and on arrival a young girl ask me to lie on the floor to play a game. That precious moment of putting aside my interview manners of having to act a certain way was put aside
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She died in the presence of “Duke” — the bird that she ensured was “tucked in” before she goes to bed every night. This is what “End of Life” care is about. As one of our residents is dying, “Duke” was brought into her room and stayed
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