Category Archives: end of life care

DEATH, NATURALLY

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Amy Getter

  I meet my patient, and think to myself, death by a thousand cuts.  Incremental loss of mobility, independence, then slowly parts and pieces of his body, appendages removed, organs no longer functioning and blood vessels filled with sludge.  I … Continue reading →

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PLAY YOUR MUSIC

Posted on July 26, 2016 by Amy Getter

While sitting quietly, I listened while he talked about years that have “flown” by, and the changes that life had wrought, not just in the physical body, but the faded career, the fractured relationships, the plans that were collected in … Continue reading →

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MAKE A WISH

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Amy Getter

I met a woman recently who works for the “Make a wish” program, and we shared stories about granting wishes.  She made an emphatic statement, “I’m so glad most of my clients have ‘a life limiting illness’ but aren’t necessarily … Continue reading →

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AN ODE TO MY MOTHER

Posted on April 30, 2016 by Amy Getter

Some of my family still mention, when reminiscing about my mother, that she was “out of touch” with reality.  My mom had a mental breakdown in her early thirties, (during the 50’s when a lot of women lived in a … Continue reading →

Posted in daughter, end of life care, family of the dying, wisdom | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

TEARS IN HEAVEN

Posted on January 6, 2016 by Amy Getter

I heard many stories later in the evening, while we were sharing remembrances of her, stories of the two of them while they lingered together, of her beloved Henry as he sat smoking his pipe in the far corner of … Continue reading →

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THE HEART OF HOME

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Amy Getter

A hospice nurse travels into many abodes.  So often these homes speak of dreams and accomplishments, or regrets and failures, but they always seem to frame a part of the owner’s story.  Like Cathy’s final work of art, her dream … Continue reading →

Posted in death bed vigil, end of life care, family of the dying | Tagged , | 4 Comments

IN THE MOMENT

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Amy Getter

“I’ve taken care of things all my life, and I’m doing the end planning, too, because that way it will be done to my satisfaction,” says my 91 year old patient.  She’s completed financial affairs, even has her funeral expenses … Continue reading →

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BEING LED

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Amy Getter

  “The truth is, when you were young, you tied your own belt and went where you wanted, but when you are old, you will put out your hands, and someone else will tie your belt. They will lead you where … Continue reading →

Posted in advocacy; patient rights; hospice nurse, end of life care, Wishes | Tagged , | 5 Comments

IT COULD BE THE LAST THING YOU EVER SAY

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Amy Getter

I have been touched many times by someone’s last words.  And sometimes, I am deeply saddened.  At my final visit with my doctor-patient, his only tenuous words to me were the question, “What is my PT/INR?”,  as he lay in … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, end of life care, goodbye | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

THE STORY TELLER

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Amy Getter

I’ve been listening to and loving stories for most of my life.  As the next to the youngest in a family of six children, there were always stories: about the years before I was born, and after I was born, … Continue reading →

Posted in end of life care | 2 Comments