Author Archives: Amy Getter

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About Amy Getter

MS, RN, CHPN

Guest blog: “Death Cafe”–Not Exactly a Last Supper

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Amy Getter

Thank you to Karen, for sharing her blog. I, too, have been fascinated with the concept of death cafes and enjoyed reading Karen’s story: Before I knew what a “death cafe” referred to, I pictured a collection of skulls clacking … Continue reading →

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Why I Love Clara Barton (Angel of the Battlefield) and my Grandmother!

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Amy Getter

I was never a war nurse. Clara Barton died over a hundred years ago. But I love the woman. I have loved her for many years. I was deeply influenced by my grandmother. She taught me how to love, actually … Continue reading →

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SPEECHLESS

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Amy Getter

I don’t know if I am an advocate of “therapeutic touch” in the contemporary sense (many studies contradict each other regarding the efficacy). I’m not sure people must be trained in a technique that brings solace; nor do I think … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving, touch | Tagged | 5 Comments

NOT “JUST THE DAUGHTER”

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Amy Getter

A whiff of lavender can still transport me to the bedside of my dying mother. In the early morning hours, Mom began breathing in shallow gasps, with periods of apnea. Several hours had passed since she had responded to any … Continue reading →

Posted in death bed vigil, family of the dying | Tagged , | 3 Comments

CHOOSE YOUR BEST DEATH

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Amy Getter

I read a blog last December on “cancer being the best way to die” (by Richard Smith, MD.) He achieved resounding cries of “foul” by many for making this statement and also recommending people stop the merry-go-round of aggressive cancer … Continue reading →

Posted in heroic measures, letting go | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

HEARTS, FLOWERS and BUCKET LISTS

Posted on February 7, 2015 by Amy Getter

Hearts and flowers and sweethearts and love are mentioned everywhere in February. I frequently have opportunities to see gifts of love highlighted by the stark light of loss. This week, a bright bouquet of sun colored flowers were featured on … Continue reading →

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THE ENCHANTED ONES

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Amy Getter

My mother always said that the animals were enchanted, and in another life they will be able to tell us, the humans, all the things that they know, though we give them so little credit. I hear people say, “Animals … Continue reading →

Posted in death bed vigil, Pets | Tagged , | 3 Comments

HELLIDAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!

Posted on December 27, 2014 by Amy Getter

“Did you survive the holidays?” I was asked at work, and was immediately struck by the absurdity of the question. I’m not the hospice patient, after all, and I was expected to survive the month of festivities. But I was … Continue reading →

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WHAT’S NORMAL GOT TO DO WITH IT?

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Amy Getter

Yet again, reminding all you medical people out there, most folks do not see dying on a daily basis. And most folks would not consider any bit of it “normal” (i.e. “usual, typical, and common”). We hospice people like to … Continue reading →

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HEROES IN LIFE

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Amy Getter

I awaken this morning and pass the WWI medals hanging in my hallway, remembering it is Veteran’s Day, commemorating the morning of November 11th, 1918, “Armistice Day”. That was the morning when the church bells tolled across Europe and America … Continue reading →

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