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Ann is aged 45 years,
married to Bob with three children Neil, aged 15,
Amy, aged 12 and Philip, aged 7.
She is diagnosed with advanced cancer and
was referred to St Peter's by her GP.
Ann was supported at home
by one of our Community Nurse Specialists until it was decided to
admit her to the In-patient Unit as she was experiencing severe pain
in her legs. Both legs were swollen and her mobility was so reduced
that she felt socially isolated and found it difficult to cope with
her children's questions about her illness and her future.
Assessed
The staff at the Hospice were able to look at all her problems and
help Ann set realistic goals to reduce them. Firstly, the medical
and nursing problems were assessed with action taken by both the
Nursing and Medical Teams to achieve maximum symptom control. The
Lymphoedema Sister prescribed a course of treatment to be carried
out by the nursing staff and Ann's mobility was assessed by the
Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist and a plan
of action introduced.
The Chaplain then met Ann and Bob and was able to open up
discussions regarding their spiritual needs, beliefs and views. This
made it possible for Ann and Bob to look at how to deal with the
families spiritual questions and needs as they arose.
Support
Ann and Bob were introduced
to the Hospice Social Worker who was able to help them talk about
their concerns for their children and support them in making plans
for Ann to go home. They were happy for the Children and Families
Social Worker to meet the children at home and spend time with them,
helping them to understand and cope with Mum's illness and answer
difficult questions about death.
After several contented months at
home, Ann's condition deteriorated
and she was re-admitted. During her previous visit Ann had said that
she would prefer to die at home with her family. The nursing and
medical staff agreed that she might die in the next few days and
liaised with her GP and District Nurse. Ann was discharged from the
Hospice and returned home where she received care from the St
Peter's "Hospice At Home" Service.
Ann spent her last few days at home
where she died peacefully with her family.
The Community Nurse Specialist made initial contact with Bob,
following Ann's death, and offered to refer him to the Bereavement
Care Team at the Hospice. They would be able to continue to support
him and his family through their bereavement.
Ann's story is a compilation of the stories of many patients
who have been helped by the Hospice.
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