I had an 89 yr old patient curse out the doctor today.

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Because he told her she had about 4 more months to live.

Seriously, why do people think they are going to be immortal?

If I was told tommorrow that I was dying, I would try to make the best of the time I have, not curse the person telling me about my condition.

I really don't understand why death is treated as an anomoly, especially by people who are at an advanced age.

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Specializes in Oncology&Homecare.

In the US death is not an acceptable diagnosis!

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Specializes in Long term care-geriatrics.

I have had patient cuss a doctor because he wanted to put them on an antidepressant. If she cussed at him because he was predicting her death in 4 months, she probably in her mind is going to fight death tooth and nail. As a younger person, she probably fought the world the same way. Most doctors have thicker skin than we know.

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At least it shows she has some spunk in her. Good for her.

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Because he told her she had about 4 more months to live.

Seriously, why do people think they are going to be immortal?

If I was told tommorrow that I was dying, I would try to make the best of the time I have, not curse the person telling me about my condition.

I really don't understand why death is treated as an anomoly, especially by people who are at an advanced age.

Because she was not ready to hear that.

Whether she was sick for years, or came into hospital with a minor complaint; NO ONE is EVER prepared for a terminal diagnosis. Her first reaction has no bearing on how she will spend her final months, and if you are a registered nurse, you should know better than to judge the quality of her final days by her initial reception of the fact of them.

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Because he told her she had about 4 more months to live.

Seriously, why do people think they are going to be immortal?

If I was told tommorrow that I was dying, I would try to make the best of the time I have, not curse the person telling me about my condition.

I really don't understand why death is treated as an anomoly, especially by people who are at an advanced age.

Why are you so certain she cursed him out because she had less then four months to live? I am sixty-five and I know that one day, in the immediate or future day, I will die. That does mean that I automatically accept a death sentence. You can bet your bottom dollar, I would react negatively to such news, likely bursting out in an angry tirade. And if I am fortunate to live to eighty-nine, getting this news, would cause an equally negative response. I don't expect to live til I am one hundred, but even receiving negative news like this, I would feel cheated if I were not ready to give up the ghost yet.

Believe it or not, a good portion of my generation have living wills and advance directives. But a good number of us are not ready to curl up our toes and give up the ghost. Getting negative news, at any age, is difficult to accept. We have a lot of living left to do.:yeah::redbeathe;)

GrannyRN65

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You need to give the patient a break here. Getting news you are terminal can be shocking and frightening regardless of your age. I'm sure the doctor understood it wasn't them she was yelling at but the prognosis. I wish her well.

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Specializes in CVICU, ICU, Cardiac/Telemetry.

Wow, coming from a nurse I would expect much more lenience on that type of a response.

Being faced with news like that causes a multitude of emotions - and denial is usually the first stage.

I agree, give the poor patient a break.

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Why are you so certain she cursed him out because she had less then four months to live? I am sixty-five and I know that one day, in the immediate or future day, I will die. That does mean that I automatically accept a death sentence. You can bet your bottom dollar, I would react negatively to such news, likely bursting out in an angry tirade. And if I am fortunate to live to eighty-nine, getting this news, would cause an equally negative response. I don't expect to live til I am one hundred, but even receiving negative news like this, I would feel cheated if I were not ready to give up the ghost yet.

Believe it or not, a good portion of my generation have living wills and advance directives. But a good number of us are not ready to curl up our toes and give up the ghost. Getting negative news, at any age, is difficult to accept. We have a lot of living left to do.:yeah::redbeathe;)

GrannyRN65

I am certain she cursed him because she called him a dumb^&% *** of a ***** who didn't know his rear from a hole in the ground and who &*&^*&^ ^%&%^ %$$^%$...

The direction of her anger was pretty clear ;-)

I am not judging the patient but as a new RN I am still kind of stunned by how many patients seem to feel like death is something that can be delayed inevitably.

A 94 year old patient was asking if he could get a lung transplant last week, a patient who was comatose and completely unresponsive but who had scads of family members, had an NG tube placed because no one wanted to let MeeMaw go and Hospice was refused because "that's for people who are dying." *sigh* Did I mention she moaned in pain whenever anyone touched her, because the family took pain relief off the table, because they were worried she wouldn't recognize them anymore?

I wish we could have a more frank discussion about end of life issues in this country.

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Why are you so certain she cursed him out because she had less then four months to live? I am sixty-five and I know that one day, in the immediate or future day, I will die. That does mean that I automatically accept a death sentence. You can bet your bottom dollar, I would react negatively to such news, likely bursting out in an angry tirade. And if I am fortunate to live to eighty-nine, getting this news, would cause an equally negative response. I don't expect to live til I am one hundred, but even receiving negative news like this, I would feel cheated if I were not ready to give up the ghost yet.

Believe it or not, a good portion of my generation have living wills and advance directives. But a good number of us are not ready to curl up our toes and give up the ghost. Getting negative news, at any age, is difficult to accept. We have a lot of living left to do.:yeah::redbeathe;)

GrannyRN65

great post.

OP- as a RN you should be more understanding. Everyone deals with things different. Especially one who is not surround by death on a frequent basis

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I would have sworn at him to. My family is renowned for the crud we survive self-inflicted or not. He should not expect warm fuzzies after a diagnosis like that.

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great post.

OP- as a RN you should be more understanding. Everyone deals with things different. Especially one who is not surround by death on a frequent basis

I've been a nurse for forty plus years. I have had an advance directive since I was in my forties. I revised it several time. And I have seen more then my share of deaths. Fortunately, my generation and the one following behind me, general have very specific advanced directives. I am sorry if anyone thought I was being rough on the original poster but too many times I've seen my younger peers question the wasting of resource on my generation.:mad: I was justing trying to point out the eighty-nine year old's angry was based on the news. I doubt the patient expects to live forever. And like you said, everyone deals with bad news differently. Some just give up and are dead two days later. Others fight til they can't fight anymore.:yeah:

GrannyRN65

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