“What’s that?”

 

I explained that most hospitals have a palliative care program, usually staffed by a physician and one or more nurses who have expertise in dealing with traumatic, stressful situations such as what she was experiencing right now. 

 

I asked her to call and ask for a consultation.

 

When I called her back, I could hear the relief in her voice. “Thank you! They did just what you said they would do.”

 

She said when she was referred to the palliative care nurse, the nurse immediately went to her husband‘s room and found his nurse there caring for him and unable to be making status report calls. It’s a busy time in these hospitals and unfortunately the nurses often don’t have the time to be dealing with patients and keeping family members up to speed on what’s happening. 

 

The nurse practitioner assured her that she would be checking in throughout the day, and she would keep her posted. Later in the afternoon, the nurse practitioner called back and said that she was going to be out for the rest of the week, but she had advised her replacement of the situation and she assured her that they would be checking in from time to time. 

 

So, let’s applaud the system that actually works and acknowledge the simplicity and beauty of the model of palliative care. I wish whoever invented it had put a little more time into naming it, so that it was more clear what it’s for and how it works. But, rest assured it works!

 

I asked my friend to “pay it forward” by memorizing those seven words: 

 

“Have you requested a palliative care consultation?”

 

Shawn Lewin, president 

 

The Community Center