Like Sands through the hour glass………
As a Speech Pathologist who works allot in resi care facilities part of my job entails swallowing assessments of patients who can no longer eat or drink safely.
On Wednesday I received an urgent call from one such place I go to every week.
A 78 year old lady who had been having swallowing difficulties for some time but was managing on thick fluids and puree solids was suddenly unable to swallow even her own saliva.
I walked into her room to find the entire family unit; husband, daughters and grandchildren all wide eyed and desperate for me to give them the news that it would be ok. On assessment I found this not to be the case.
Indeed the woman could not manage her own saliva and was spitting it into a hanky. The little bit that did make it down was clearly staying in her throat and making her cough and gag every 2 or so minutes.
I was faced with the ordeal of all alone (the RN having just abandoned me) telling this family, “Mary”, wife of 60 years, mother and grand mother could not eat and drink at all, knowing that in her notes was a direct order not to give her nutrition via artificial means. I asked her again if she wanted to go to hospital for artificial feeding. She shook her head. I explained that this meant she would simply fade away and die. She put her thumb up and smiled.
Looking around at the devastated faces with tears streaming down their cheeks. I felt like the grim reaper. The husband held her hand and whispered “where have all the years gone”
This family has stayed with me and their story effected me deeply. How quickly the years pass. How much of it have I wasted? Life here on earth is so fleeting.
RSS Trackback URL 11. July 2008 (22:16)Filed under: Uncategorized
