Author Archives: Amy Getter

About Amy Getter

MS, RN, CHPN

THE BIG BUSINESS OF DYING

Posted on April 17, 2023 by Amy Getter

As the saying goes, there are two things we can’t avoid: death and taxes. Another less-known and also difficult-to-avoid situation is the cost of dying. While attending a recent webinar on end-of-life care, I listened to the phrase “the death … Continue reading →

Posted in end of life care, hospice, palliative care | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

WE MIGHT NOT BE SO SURE…

Posted on October 17, 2022 by Amy Getter

I find myself in another paradoxical debate.  I have made my best attempt to find adequate palliative care research being done on managing end-of-life secretions (“the death rattle” people often refer to), and I cannot say I have read sufficient … Continue reading →

Posted in end of life care | Tagged | 1 Comment

REMEMBRANCE

Posted on May 30, 2022 by Amy Getter

Memorial Day is a day to remember fallen heroes.  Many years ago I stood at the edge of the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France.  I looked out over the vast numbers of white crosses, as far as the eye could … Continue reading →

Posted in end of life care | 4 Comments

HELPLESS

Posted on May 13, 2021 by Amy Getter

I’ve had many moments of observing the steady slowing and final stopping of a heart beat.  I’ve had countless times to share a patient’s frightening sense of vulnerability as bodies cheat their owners and life becomes uncertain with death a … Continue reading →

Posted in end of life care | 8 Comments

Roy-boy

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Amy Getter

Seventeen years ago today, myself, my youngest sister, only brother, and our spouses buried my mother.  Two days ago, I revisited the moments of my mother’s death as my brother lay dying.  Seven years prior he had survived a cardiac … Continue reading →

Posted in dying at home, hospice story | 4 Comments

THE WORST PATIENT/DIFFICULT FAMILY?

Posted on February 9, 2021 by Amy Getter

Nurses, not infrequently, have been labeled (very often by other nurses) as “the worst patients; the difficult family member”.  Here’s a couple reasons why: nurses invariably assume the role of caregiver in both their careers AND their lives.  They historically … Continue reading →

Posted in end of life care | Tagged , | 4 Comments

PANDEMICS MERELY HIGHLIGHT NURSING HOME PREDICAMENT

Posted on August 23, 2020 by Amy Getter

A wise saying: There is nothing new under the sun.  Suffering is our human condition; we all have some experience with it.  Though it seems of late there is just too much.  A recent visit to a nursing home reminded me … Continue reading →

Posted in end of life care | 1 Comment

“HE WHO CANNOT, TEACHES”

Posted on December 29, 2019 by Amy Getter

As I thought about who and what have been my greatest teachers in life, I considered the quote: He who can, does; He who cannot, teaches*.  Though this quote is considered disparaging to teachers, I like to think of it … Continue reading →

Posted in end of life care | 1 Comment

WHAT WE LEAVE BEHIND

Posted on August 9, 2019 by Amy Getter

Don’t call me morbid because I’ve spent the past few days preparing obituary examples.  I’ll be using these for a class of young people to demonstrate a bit of what “legacy” means: something left behind when you are gone.  This … Continue reading →

Posted in end of life care, legacy | Tagged , | 1 Comment

WHO ADVOCATES?

Posted on July 9, 2019 by Amy Getter

How many of us, as nurses, have had the experience of speaking to an “enflamed” family member, and practiced all our communication skills to bring calm and rational judgment into play?   Recently, in the midst of a friend’s pain … Continue reading →

Posted in advocacy; patient rights; hospice nurse, palliative care | 5 Comments