Something to Think About: a blog on end of life

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Stuck in Grief by Barbara Karnes, RN bkbooks.com

Stuck in Grief

In normal grieving, time begins to lessen the intensity of the emotional pain of our loss. There is a process to grief (see My Friend, I Care) and although we never forget...

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Does

Does "No Code" mean "No Care"?

First, lets define “No Code”. The simplest explanation I found was Googled from the Free Dictionary http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/no+code“a note written in the patient record and signed by a qualified, usually senior or...

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Caring for Mom at Home: Barbara Karnes, RN

Caring for Mom at Home

Barbara, I am caring for my Mother in our home. She is in denial over her situation. She is bed bound but insists she is going to walk again and...

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It's About Humanity: Barbara Karnes, RN

It's About Humanity

In the End of Life Care and Bereavement Group I have on Facebook some of us who are or have been hospice nurses were talking about what we, as hospice...

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The Final Hours Before Death: Barbara Karnes, RN

The Final Hours Before Death

When someone is dying a gradual death from disease and is hours tominutes from death they don't need a doctor, nurse, social worker, or evena chaplain. They need someone who...

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This Is The Moment: Barbara Karnes, RN

This Is The Moment

Being a type A personality I am moving and doing something most of the time. Tasks are finished before they need to be. Goals are the drive behind me, not...

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Shhhh…Don't tell Grandma! Barbara Karnes, RN

Shhhh…Don't tell Grandma!

Don’t tell Grandma. There has been many a time when I did a hospice assessment and a family member has said to me “Don’t tell Grandma she can’t be fixed....

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Miracles: Barbara Karnes, RN

Miracles

QUESTION: Can you write about "miracles" and how the hope/prayer for a miracle can make people miss what is in front of them? The dictionary defines miracle as: “an event...

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The Future: Barbara Karnes, RN

The Future

I caught myself thinking, as I folded laundry this evening, that I want this day to end. I want this week to hurry up as I have something in the...

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