Palliative care

[fallen_leaf]

Met with the acute care facility where my aunt is for update. Small improvements very slow. Spoke with Attending Doctor after via phone. She said she was thinking of moving my aunt to palliative care but since she seems a little better she will wait. I feel that would be giving up. I don’t know. Anyone have someone go to palliative care and still get better?

[Hidden]

Hi fallen-leaf. Firstly I am pleased for you that your aunt is showing even a small amount of improvement, because when that happens there is at least a little hope that there may be more to come.

I think it's helpful to carefully interpret what her health professionals are saying to you. Often they will pick up on small improvements as a way of giving you some hope for a good outcome, and it's a matter of managing your expectations of what that outcome might be. We aren't, for so many reasons, always 100% open and honest with each other when it comes to the delicate matter of a person's chances of survival, because it's cruel to dash hopes and it can be that no-one, even doctors, are absolutely sure of anyone's chances.

Certainly it's encouraging that, at the moment, your aunt isn't deemed ready for palliative care, but by its very nature, palliative care is mostly about the final stages before someone's death. But that's not to say that there haven't been remarkable turnarounds.

So never give up hope! But at the same time, try to remain not only optimistic but realistic.

Hoping, on your behalf, for a good outcome, and very best wishes.

[sassy59]

I agree with Callendersgal in that there is hope for your dear aunt. Who knows what tomorrow will bring but if there is a small improvement today, let’s hold onto that.

Hoping for better days ahead and sending very best wishes to you. Xxxx

[Roessner541]

I did and very quickly.

[Daisy55]

Yes my husband is in palliative care , he attends a hospice and it has given him a wonderful sense of well being . He sees the hospice consultant every few months , and his hospital consultant , the team work together with our Gp which is what Palliative care is . He goes to the chair exercise class at the hospice and the social group where they do arts and crafts , and even the sickest patients take part. They are there to support both of us for however long and afterwards . xx