What Does Giving Up Really Mean?
I read an excellent recent article on the pallimed website regarding this common question of “Am I giving up on fighting cancer when I choose hospice?” In it the author Amy Velasquez RN BSN OCN, a palliative care nurse specializing in helping cancer patients, discusses this weighty issue: In my line of work with cancer patients, they have taught me strength, courage and most of all faith. Our goal as the palliative care team is to find out what the patient’s absolute end goal is, and is it attainable? A patient that has stage 4 lung cancer has been diagnosed with a cancer that is termed “incurable.” So does that mean if they die from this…
Seven Ways to Get Better Cancer Care
Studies have shown wide variances in cancer care exist across the US, here are 7 tips for Receiving Better Cancer Care: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/7-ways-to-get-better-cancer-care/ “Don’t confuse palliative and hospice care with giving up hope of living longer. In actuality, patients with invasive cancers who receive palliative care along with cancer treatments tend to enjoy better quality of life and live longer. Similarly, cancer patients who receive hospice care tend to live longer than those who don’t.” Compassion Hospice offers our Bridges program – free to the public, we’re here to help improve the quality of life for both patients and families facing advanced or chronic illness. We offer guidance, support to alleviate stress and anxiety, and education…
More Moments, Made Possible
