[bluesky]

Well I want to tell you a little story about a friend of mine from nursing school ... she had a patient, an older woman with end-stage CHF, I believe, who was on complete fluid restrictions. Well, the woman was clearly suffering and just wanted to feel some water in her mouth as she was clearly dying. Well my friend, just a first year nursing student on Med/Surg, fought all the staff and even called the physician herself to get this woman just a sip of water. Well, she got her water and the relief,peace and importance of that moment (while I did not witness it myself) is engraved in my memory two years later. I am so proud of my friend (she may be reading this as we speak) for having the courage to advocate for her patient like this.

[earle58]

bluesky,

good for your friend!!! end stage chf.....dying.....and no one would grant her this minor request. outrageous. your friend is going to make a great nurse.

leslie

[bluesky]

Originally Posted by earle58

bluesky,

your friend is going to make a great nurse.

leslie

Yes, she is. D'ya hear that, Martie?

[mom and nurse]

Originally Posted by bluesky

Well I want to tell you a little story about a friend of mine from nursing school ... she had a patient, an older woman with end-stage CHF, I believe, who was on complete fluid restrictions. Well, the woman was clearly suffering and just wanted to feel some water in her mouth as she was clearly dying. Well my friend, just a first year nursing student on Med/Surg, fought all the staff and even called the physician herself to get this woman just a sip of water. Well, she got her water and the relief,peace and importance of that moment (while I did not witness it myself) is engraved in my memory two years later. I am so proud of my friend (she may be reading this as we speak) for having the courage to advocate for her patient like this.

Bluesky - I know your friend, she's one of the most compassionate people I know, and she'll make an excellent nurse..........

[TexasPoodleMix]

awwwwwwwww that is so wonderful !

[traumaRUs]

Thanks for such a wonderful story!

[opalmRN]

Amazing the power one sip of water has. Even more amazing the power she used to get this request granted for this poor soul.

Thank you for sharing.

[Audreyfay]

If I ever get to that stage, please give me water and food! Great work on being a patient advocate. Why suffer? Especially if it is terminal.

[obeyacts2]

Originally Posted by Audreyfay

If I ever get to that stage, please give me water and food! Great work on being a patient advocate. Why suffer? Especially if it is terminal.

Not to hijack the thread, but why deny a terminal pt anything? As long as they are able to swallow, whats the point? We give our hospice pts dying at home ANYTHING they want and can handle safely. If they can't drink due to weakness, we give tiny amts from a needleless syringe, ice chips or moisten the mouth with those pink spongy swabs.


Laura

[z's playa]

That's a wonderful thing for your friend to have done but.....I'm infuriated that she had to do that in the first place!!! What kind of hospital denies a terminal pt WATER? They needed the bed that badly?

Z