Best Death

Nurses General Nursing

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I don't know if this has been posted before--but I was just wondering what the best experience with death has been for other nurses out there (or anyone caring to answer). I know we deal with this topic everyday, but I never thought about it until this experience happened to hit so close to home.

I have worked in acute care for many years on a surgical floor. Most of our patients who die--end up coding and go out with many drugs, multiple IV lines, and broken ribs from CPR. The patients that are DNR's usually die alone in the hospital--occasionally with family.

When my father in law developed prostate cancer, I talked a lot with him about his wishes. He chose hospice care. They were very helpful. The day before he died, he began bleeding out. I had just given birth to my second child and wanted desperately to have grandpa meet Sean. He held out and on Saturday, two hours from discharge, I went to the house with the baby. Dad had been in a semi-comatose state, but when my hubby and I told him we had his new grandson, he opened his eyes and held Sean's hand.

He had wanted the funeral arrangements all completed, so mom and my SIL went to the funeral home. They had been with dad most of the morning saying good bye. Joe (my hubby) and I each got some time alone with dad. I was able to say goodbye and ask him to look my brother Danny up (who had died the year before--and who I did not get to say goodbye to). Dad actually smiled and squeezed my hand. He was able to kiss Joe once more.

Mom and Mel (SIL) returned from the funeral parlor--The TV had golf on in the living room (very loud), and the Catholic channel in the bedroom was having high mass, Dad sat up smiled at all of us (who were now gathered around his bed), he lay down and his breathing slowed down (we all told him it was ok to let go) and he took his last breath. It was the most peaceful experience I have ever had. I hope that someday when I die, I can have all my loved ones around me letting me know it was ok to go.

I don't intend to make this thread morose--I just wanted to share this experience with friends who I know will understand what I am saying. Peace.:p

Aww Angus, I ain't working at no ICU, though I sit with patients there w/o internet access (boring as a CNA sitter). There are 5 ICU pods in the ICU. SOOOOOOO.advanced. It's a trip seeing people hocked up to umpteenth IV and catheter and heart monitors and BP cuff and oximeter.

My unit closed down because of census. So I float through the hospital, like Scoobie Do after he eats a Scoobie Snak.

No one can remember that Scoobie Do floats after he eats a Scoobie Snak but me, but it's true :-(

I remember scoobie floating. ;-). I promise you there will come a time when that doesn't seem so advanced any more.

My appologies for diverting from the thread. I'll shut up now.

Twisted and sick Mario had a thought. Since, in my opinion, the best dest would be discintergration, the only folks who have experienced it were the folks within kilometer radius below the two Japanese cities in 1945. Again, because all cells stop within a microsecond. Not trying to be morbid, just honest opinion.

What on earth is more powerful or hot than atomic fission/fussion?

If we could get something, like our bodies, to reach absolute zero, then death can go away, or at least stop along with you.

Death (best or worst) means time. If, one day, we can travel to outside the heliosphere, and totally leave the influence of the sun, time can change.

Sorry to go off on a cosine here . :-(

Mario, are you "alright?"

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