Category: Uncategorized

Basements and High-Rises: Hospice Goes to Chicago Redux

The most interesting patients tend to fall into economic extremes -- housed in either impoverished basements or have beautiful views high above the cityscape. I once rented a basement apartment because of the location and price and loved it but would not invite sober guests there. And the light was bad. People so situated and … Continue reading Basements and High-Rises: Hospice Goes to Chicago Redux →

No, You’re Wrong — We Don’t ‘Starve Your Mothers TO DEATH’ & Other Hospice Outrages

And we hospice nurses don't allow those horny, suppurating breast tumors to grow and bleed and so hurt that the voyeuristic aunts can't help but come into the bedroom to spy on them and be horrified by the sight, hovering while I change the bandages. I see them on my way out, sitting in the … Continue reading No, You’re Wrong — We Don’t ‘Starve Your Mothers TO DEATH’ & Other Hospice Outrages →

Shysters of Dying: MAGA Theories and the Many Forms of Denialism

No one needs ever die just yet, the story line goes. Once you've swallowed this nostrum, that next Covid-19 fork in the road is critical. If you won't or can't acknowledge the risk of catching this life-limiting infection, there's no telling how many claims and testimonies out there start seeming plausible. We might think you're … Continue reading Shysters of Dying: MAGA Theories and the Many Forms of Denialism →

Boat Builders: Hospice Encounters Among the Incurious

Our company management often reminds us direct-care nurses about the follow-up questionnaires sent to the designated survivor a few weeks after the death in hospice. It ask about the jist of the hospice experience, things like, overall, How Responsive, or How Communicative we were. It can serve as a hospice-rating tool by prospective customers who … Continue reading Boat Builders: Hospice Encounters Among the Incurious →

Difficult Conversations: Anatomy of ‘The Talk’

Last Friday at Summer’s end I met a fellow clinician at a patient’s home. He was what we call in hospice the Main Caregiver. I recognized how he wore his fatigue like a second skin. Excellent of skills and knowledge, this ICU RN stepped down to speak apart from the front porch where a group … Continue reading Difficult Conversations: Anatomy of ‘The Talk’ →

Training Another Nurse To Do This Shit Job

What to cover first? That you should pack your lunch and fluids the night before? To keep such-a-tool in good repair with extra batteries? That earlier in the week is better for supply runs to the office, way off in that distant Suburb (now that our weekly Team Meetings have been remote, it seems farther … Continue reading Training Another Nurse To Do This Shit Job →

Nobody’s Home: Notes On Nursing Facilities

This is where you're sent when you have no more home to go to. These are the corridors of reduced circumstances, the place -- although sheltered from rain and ice -- you'd never in your wildest dreams think of receiving a gentle visitor, or anyone remaining from a previous life. It might be a place … Continue reading Nobody’s Home: Notes On Nursing Facilities →

Shakespeare on Hospice. On Death, Anyway…

I started writing this on April 23, the supposed birthday of William Shakespeare, since he died on that day. So many nativities are uncertain compared to deaths. He was baptized soon after, so being born on the same date as he died is generally agreed on. A few years ago, my Shakespeare blog died a … Continue reading Shakespeare on Hospice. On Death, Anyway… →