The saddest case I had when I thought about my proxi

[Purlple]

I was helping with a care for one pt in her mid thirties. She was fine until her early 20th. Then she had a stroke and a brain damage due to oxygen deprivation. She is now has pancreatitis, paralysis of most part of her body, fibromyalgia, trach tube, GI tube (feeding). She get suctioned few times a day. You know how is suctioning makes pt feel. She is in severe pain because of her pancreatitis and/or fibrimyalgia.

The most awful thing that she can't make a sound to ask for pain med but cries silently with her mouth open as if she is trys to scream and her face perspire and heart beating over 100. She can't push a button for help either.

We didnt' know how much she could understand us. And we didn't know if she could see well because her eyes were not focused. This pt was admitted few times with for different reasons. She have relatives who visits her. She is full code!.. Why?..She crys everytime someone is approaching her for any reason. I think she is very anxious and scared. We are doing all that interventions and she just probably wants to die. When I saw her I thought about coming home and writing a proxy for myself.

[Katmae RN]

How sad Purlple. It's really a tragedy how ethical issues such as this woman has have not been adressed by the medical profession or society. I often think when caring for such a tragic patient..if only the public could see what goes on here for 24 hours with this patient. I think it would be a real eye opener. I doubt anyone in the decision making process has experienced such a heart wretching sight. Hopefully these types of situations will be addressed soon.