While waiting for Mr. S. to die, Mr. C. passed away on me.

[maveric]

I dont mean to be morbid or depressing but this forum is usually a good sounding board for me.
I have a patient that is in the last stage of cancer that started in the throat and spread throughout. He has been kept alive by a D5 (Dextrose), IV. We have been keeping him as comfortable with morphine and just waiting for him to mercifully pass. While keeping a watch on Mr.S. I checked on Mr.C. to see if he needed anything, he said no and we talked for a few minutes before I returned to Mr. S's. bedside to check his vitals. Five minutes later a CNA comes screaming to me that Mr.C. is white and unresponsive. I ran to his room and saw that there was no sign of respiration, no pulse, etc. We grabbed the crashcart and administered CPR, while 911 was called. After several minutes we stopped the procedure. Mr.C. was gone.

This was a crushing event for the staff and myself. Mr.C. just got back from another hospital(he has COPD), and was looking good, gaining weight and and having his color come back. He was DOING GREAT, and then he was gone some 5-10 minutes after I spoke with him. SHIT!!!

Its so ironic that the man that was supposed to make a recovery goes while the man that should have passed weeks ago is still hanging on.

I love working healthcare but this is the part of the job that I hate. This LVN may look for a nursing position where people actually get better.

Mr.C. Rest in Peace. Mr.S. may your suffering end soon.

[Lars39]

1. I'm sorry, maveric.

:hug: Not much, I know, but sometimes all I know to do.

[GOPFighter]

2. Sad!

My heart goes out to you and all the other healthcare professionals who take care of the ill, especially the terminally ill, day in and day out. I don't know how you do it! My mother passed away a few years ago (cancer) and was hospitalized for the last few weeks of her life. The healthcare workers were superb, they kept her spirits high right til the end.

Hugs :grouphug:

[liberalnurse]

3. These are the fascinating events that occur

in nursing. We indeed are not in control...we are just assistants. I started nursing school, first as an LPN at age 17...right out of high school and graduating from LPN school in 1976. I experienced this lesson early on.....Hang in there, you will eventually be able to put the pieces together and find out you are only a part of the big picture.

[Mari333]

4. You have a hard job, I used to do that

and its so hard. Im so sorry. Be gentle with yourself.

[bleedingheart]

5. wow that is hard...

my sister did critical care nursing during the early part of her career and it takes a lot out of a person....not to mention the nicu work she did almost twenty five years ago when the majority of preemie babies died...

[maveric]

7. I could never work NICU.

Working with sick babies or kids in general would really rip my heart out. Those who work in units like that are the brave ones.

[proud patriot]

6. You are a hero

I just wanted to say that .