| Persons put into the role of caretaker for gravely ill or | | | | with treatment must carefully weigh the negative |
| terminal patients take on many stress-inducing tasks. | | | | psychological and emotional impact resulting from such |
| Not to make light in any way of the tragic suffering of | | | | drastic actions as they compare to the anticipated |
| the patients themselves, we need to look also upon | | | | clinical benefits. |
| those who are their primary care givers with particular | | | | In addition to these very tangible tasks, it also becomes |
| consideration, respect and understanding. | | | | the job of the caretaker to buoy the spirits of the |
| If you are personally the person in such a role, you | | | | patient and, as much as possible, give them uplifting |
| need to remember to take care of yourself. Do not | | | | emotional and psychological support. We must state |
| overlook your own nutrition, forgo much needed rest | | | | here that, no matter how dire the prognosis may be, |
| or deprive yourself of moments of relaxation as you | | | | there is no such thing as false hope. Often hope will be |
| strive to tend conscientiously to the patient. | | | | the most real thing you have to hold on to when |
| Caretakers often have to take on a relentless pit-bull | | | | practically every aspect of life as you knew it is |
| mentality, constantly on guard for the welfare of their | | | | shredded beyond recognition. |
| charge. Medical practice is just that - PRACTICE. | | | | It is natural for human beings to express concern for |
| Caretakers more often than not need to second | | | | those who are sick, yet they very often overlook how |
| guess and analyze the plans and actions of doctors | | | | taxed and over-burdened the people are who look |
| and nurses; not simply for the entertainment of being | | | | after them. |
| belligerent and difficult, but truly to be certain that the | | | | Consideration does not mean being intrusive or |
| best options are being thoughtfully meted out and that | | | | overbearing. Being kind doesn't mean you invite |
| the most humane and effective treatment avenues | | | | yourself into the home or hospital room and exhaust |
| are considered. | | | | the patience of all involved. It means you respect the |
| When looking after a neutropenic patient, the attending | | | | needs of those struggling with the burdens. If they |
| party must be hyper conscious of cleanliness of the | | | | need you to make dinner, drop it off and leave them |
| environment and sterility of nutritional resources. Often | | | | alone, do so. If a young mother needs you to take the |
| they will be responsible for administering medications | | | | kids to the park while her ill husband sleeps, so she |
| through pic lines or even giving injections (though it will | | | | might relax in a an hour of solitude, that's what you |
| be more likely that a Hickman line will be in place, | | | | need to do. |
| allowing IV meds to be given without a needle). | | | | Do not manufacture your own self-serving agenda, but |
| Obviously full time work must be put aside. An | | | | seek rather to understand the very individual desires of |
| understanding and generous employer who will make | | | | the parties who need your help. Your definitions of |
| concessions for, or even contribute to, the financial | | | | care and assistance may well be far removed from |
| needs of the situation makes such a trying time that | | | | theirs, but in order to be truly supportive, you have to |
| much easier. | | | | listen and really hear what they are asking for. |
| If there are small children in the home, it may be | | | | Humans are generally a resilient lot. We all get from life |
| necessary for them to reside for an extended period | | | | what we put into it. It's nice if we can, now and then, |
| of time with relatives (due to the need for sterility of | | | | extend a caring hand to one another. It's nicer still if we |
| the patient's environment). Pets often have to be | | | | are able, even in our darkest moments of agonizing |
| removed also from the residence. Naturally, all involved | | | | self-preservation, to reach out and accept it. |