Discussing Death

On my very last day of prac I was treating a 55 year old patient who had been diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour, the prognosis being a few months. As with all my patients I never brought up their diagnosis unless they willingly wanted to discuss it. This particular morning during my treatment session the patient began talking about their diagnosis and how it wasn’t fair as they had always been healthy, always exercised and never did anything that would be destructive to their health. As they were discussing their views on the topic with me, I just listened and didn’t comment as I wasn’t sure exactly what to say.

Until the patient asked me directly why was life so unfair, and why did she have to be the one to be diagnosed with cancer after living such a ‘healthy’ life and what was the point she may as well die now. I was extremely uncomfortable with the question and the last statement and really didn’t know exactly what to say. So instead of answering the question directly I just agreed that life wasn’t fair and that diseases like cancer can unfortunately affect anyone. I then went on the ask if she had any children to try and remind her that even though she might want to die, her family would appreciate whatever time the doctors could give their mother.

FROM THIS CONVERSATION I WAS CONFRONTED DIRECTLY REGARDING THE ISSUE OF DEATH, AND THAT FOR THIS PATIENT THERE WAS NO HOPE AND THAT THEY WOULD MOST CERTAINLY BE DYING WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. FROM THIS EXPERIENCE AND MY WHOLE PLACEMENT, I HAVE LEARNT IT IS IMPORTANT TO LISTEN TO THE PATIENTS FEELINGS ON THE TOPIC IF THEY WANT TO DISCUSS THEM. IF LIKE MY PATIENT THEY ARE IN THE STAGE OF RESENTMENT, LET THEM VOICE THOSE OPINIONS, DON’T TRY TO CONVINCE THEM THAT THERE IS NO POINT TO BEING ANGRY AND JUST TRY TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR JOB IS TO HELP THEIR LAST FEW MONTHS BE AS COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE. IT IS NOT A NICE SITUATION BUT ONE THAT AS HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WE WILL FACE.