Wow, hospice does not waste any time. Last Monday the nurse, Gail, was here. She reviewed the medication list especially the pain killers. Dave takes a long lasting pain pill every 12 hours, and a fast acting one as needed. When he told her the number and frequency of the short term pills, she immediately suggested an increased dosage in the longer term pill. They went through the others medications, and decided what to keep and what to discontinue. All the information is put into the computer so it is available to whoever is on call.
In addition, the nurses and doctors meet once a week to discuss new patients and review the existing cases as needed. Todd was unable to meet with Gail on Monday because Sam was getting a mouth piece to help correct the mouth he inherited from his father and grandmother. Gail was available after the morning review meeting, and so was Todd, so she volunteered to come out again the meet him. When she arrived she said the doctor would be coming too. While we waited we had a few questions and found out more information.
It would have been nice to know that cancer tumors use huge amounts of calories, and at the same time the tumors send a message to the brain that you are not hungry. No wonder everyone was pushing food. And it was not Dave being picky about food. Knowing the reason is so helpful in explaining Dave’s 40 pound weight loss and lack of appetite. The doctor did her own assessment and covered the questions Gail had brought up at the morning meeting. She supported the recommendations Gail had made so Dave was all set.
Todd and Dave then went to lunch while caregiver Cindy and I went to the grocery store. One of the nice things about hospice is they deliver everything. Since some of the pain pills have a high street value, all prescriptions for them must be on paper and cannot be called in or faxed. Hospice can get 3 days of the meds with a phone call if Dave runs low by mistake.
On Sunday Dave called again about the number of pills he had left for the short term or break through meds. A nurse checked and said they would have them delivered Monday. About an hour later the nurse called back, and after talking with the doctor, they suggested he take the longer lasting pill every eight hours. Then this morning, Monday, the nurse came for the regular weekly visit. They really take care of everything. So nice to be spoiled!
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