Only last week there was a news item on national television, about the Liverpool Care Pathway ........... and today I have a family member being placed on it.
There is only one word ... STUNNED!
Upon it's recommendation by the nursing staff, I could literally feel my head empty of all thoughts and any emotions simply drain away - a most peculiar feeling when you're not expecting it.
I'm more fortunate than most, as this is not a very close family member to me (ie parent or sibling) so it's a little easier to watch from the sidelines and absorb what's going on without observing through misty eyes.
So, to start with, over a period of days, all medications are with held. Then drips and oxygen, as it is assumed, at this point, that the patient is not responding to treatment, and has ceased to eat or drink.
Painkillers and sleeping drugs may be administered ... and then the waiting game begins.
It's different for everyone; how long we wait. We would hope for the patient, as we would for ourselves, to be comfortable and pain-free, and to simply drift away with dignity.
What more can we ask.
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