|
Uncompassionate care for termnally ill
My husband was admitted to Martin Luther King Hospital for difficulty breathing related to his stage 4 lung cancer with metastasis to his spine and liver. After months on a medically supervised pain regimen with morphine and oxycodone, he had found some relief. However, when he was admitted, the hospital refused to continue his pain medications, leaving him without necessary pain management. The abrupt withdrawal from his medications seemed to cause severe discomfort and withdrawal symptoms, which added to his suffering. Despite my repeated requests, the medical staff displayed a lack of empathy and urgency in managing his pain. Instead of easing his last days, it felt like he was judged as an addict, rather than treated as a patient in profound need. In addition, the nursing staff’s handling of him appeared rough and indifferent. I vividly remember how they transferred him to his bed, dragging his extremities, without the consideration one would expect in a hospital setting. These actions added to my husband’s suffering during a vulnerable time when compassion and support were most needed. I believe that my husband’s rapid decline could have been mitigated with better care and a continuation of his prescribed medications. If pain management had been provided properly, he might have had a more dignified and peaceful experience. I urge the hospital to re-evaluate their approach to terminally ill patients, particularly around pain management and compassionate care
|
