I know that some people aren't going to believe this, but I swear, I am not making this up. After almost 3 years as a hospice nurse I have heard it all (or so I thought.) I have had family members accuse me of "murdering" their loved ones with "that morphine, that ativan" and yes even "that haldol." Apparently, another favored method of mine is starving their loved ones to death. Never mind they have metastic cancer, advanced heart disease or chronic renal failure, it is MY actions that are killing them.
But until tonight I have never, ever been accused of killing a loved one by giving them cheese. You see, cheese causes yeast to grow in the digestive tract, which then causes histimines to form and stops the breathing. She also felt it was necessary to inform me that this will be reported, she didn't know to who yet, but she would be reporting it to someone. I mean, what do you say to that? I just said, I am so sorry if anything done for your spouse caused you more distress than you already have. *SIGH* Days like this I think I really need my head examined for coming back....
There are a lot of distorted perceptions of hospice care out there. Google "Hospice Patients Alliance" for an interesting look at how some people see what we do. Scary stuff!
I just got off the phone with your BON and they are looking into this whole cheese fiasco. They said you better have a gouda reason for giving that patient cheese. LOL seroiusly. I thought it worked the other way - cheese has the enzymes to promote a healthy gut. mmmm all this cheese talk has me wanting a snack.
Shay, keep up the good work. It is amazing how 'clueless' (lack of a better word) family can be when someone they love is dying. Death by cheese really cracked me up, however. Very absurd, surreal, and....well.....funny.
But until tonight I have never, ever been accused of killing a loved one by giving them cheese. You see, cheese causes yeast to grow in the digestive tract, which then causes histimines to form and stops the breathing. She also felt it was necessary to inform me that this will be reported, she didn't know to who yet, but she would be reporting it to someone. I mean, what do you say to that?
you cock your head, knit your brows and say, "ah.....those nasty histamines...
and all this time i thought it was the kick-a$$ dose of kcl i had injected.":devil:
There are a lot of distorted perceptions of hospice care out there. Google "Hospice Patients Alliance" for an interesting look at how some people see what we do. Scary stuff!
i took a quick look, geesh,,,,rabidly anti dying.....last time i looked we all did. eventually......
Ok, now that I have had a good nights sleep I can laugh about this. I really didn't think anyone would believe that this was said to me. (I should have known nothing would surprise a group of nurses.) On the other hand, this has given me a new way to threaten dear hubby, Grilled cheese for dinner tonight darling?
heron, ASN, RN
4,661 Posts
There are a lot of distorted perceptions of hospice care out there. Google "Hospice Patients Alliance" for an interesting look at how some people see what we do. Scary stuff!