| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
|
| hearing voices when terminally ill | 6/28/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: I am caring for my grandfather who is terminally ill. the last week has been a bad one and i feel he ...
A: I am sorry to read about your Grandfather's illness, he is lucky to have you there with him. ...
|
| CHF Patient with Pacemaker | 6/25/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: My mother is 91 years old and has had CHF for the last 10 years. She had her second pace maker ...
A: I'm a nurse and I used to wonder this myself. Basically a pacemaker just sends a signal to the ...
|
| stages of COPD | 6/24/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: I was told by a patient suffering from COPD that there are "steps" of the COPD disease. Once you go ...
A: I'm afraid COPD is a progressive disease which continually declines; there may be some fluctuations, ...
|
| Artificial nutrition at end of life | 6/19/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: When near end of life with alzheimer's disease and refusing food and drink, is it best to let death ...
A: I am sorry but I really cannot guess how long your mother may last in her current condition - I have ...
|
| Late-Stage Alzheimer's Symptoms | 6/19/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: I am the caregiver for my mother who has had alzheimer's disease for at least 12 years. She is on ...
A: I am sorry but I really cannot guess how long your mother may last in her current condition - I have ...
|
| Stage 4 lung cancer w/mets to liver, kidney & Bone | 6/15/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: Mom was an 84 year old active lady up until 6-7 weeks ago She started complaining of pain in the ...
A: Below is an excerpt which I think should answer all your questions. I hope this helps and I wish you ...
|
| Stage 4 lung cancer w/mets to liver, kidney & Bone | 6/14/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: Mom was an 84 year old active lady up until 6-7 weeks ago She started complaining of pain in the ...
A: It will certainly be a lot of work and a full-time commitment, but I believe the time is ...
|
| Having a few second thoughts | 6/9/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: I stumbled onto this site when I was doing some searching regarding my mom's recent death. She had ...
A: I'm sorry to hear about your Mother’s recent passing but I do not think aggressive treatments like ...
|
| ovarian cancer spread to liver | 6/6/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: I have a 76 year old grandmother who has been battling ovarian cancer for almost 2 years. She has ...
A: Below is an excerpt which I think should answer all your questions. I hope this helps and I wish you ...
|
| COPD | 6/4/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: my mum has had copd for a good few years now, she is 72yrs old, has home oxygen of which she is on 4 ...
A: This is very general and may not be the course your Mom follows, but I can tell you how an average ...
|
| lung cancer stage four | 6/2/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: A close friend in our group has lung cancer stage four it has gone to the lymph nodes, and throat. ...
A: I am sorry to read about your friend. Sometimes medical professionals do what they can and not ...
|
| Pneumonia versus UTI | 5/6/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: My father is in late stage Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA) and is currently at home in a hospice ...
A: The uses of antibiotics in palliative situations is often misunderstood. In my experience we do use ...
|
| Breathing at the end of life | 4/30/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: I am a professional caregiver 50-80 hrs/wk. My favorite client has a specific breathing pattern ...
A: What you describe sounds like "Cheyne Stokes" which is an abnormal pattern of breathing, in which ...
|
| Final Transition Time for 98-year-old Mother | 4/4/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: My 98-year-old Mother had a stroke 4 weeks ago which left her partially paralized and bedridden. Up ...
A: Below is an excerpt which I think should answer all your questions. I cannot accurately guess “how ...
|
| end stage liver cancer | 3/26/2009 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
Q: My life partner was diagnosed with liver cancer last week, 3/19/09 and the tumor has taken about 80% ...
A: Melody, It is hard to say over the internet what is causing your significant other's sleep. ...
|
| Living Will | 3/19/2009 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
Q: If, based on medical opinion that a patient may fully recover, a surrogate overrides a living will ...
A: Evalyn, I cannot answer this from a legal perspective since I don't know where the events occurred, ...
|
| grandmother dying | 3/2/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: my husbands grandmother was just recently put in a nursing home. my husband and i are confused about ...
A: Obviously I am not familiar with the details, but from what you tell me it does sound like the home ...
|
| father- copd final days? | 2/22/2009 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
Q: My father is 86, and was diagnosed with copd 6 years ago, when we were told he had 4 months to live. ...
A: Karen, I really cannot answer your question. Once your father stops eating and drinking, his time ...
|
| Quick Question | 2/10/2009 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
Q: My Father of 86 has recently decidied to be a part of a "Home Hospice" program. He has been on this ...
A: Skyler, I suggest you contact your state's department of health services and/or adult protective ...
|
| SMALL CELL Lung Cancer -What happens at the end when death is eminant and hospice has been called | 2/4/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: My best friend's Mom (she's my 2nd Mom) is right now dying from Small Cell Lung Cancer. She had ...
A: This is very general and may not be the course your 2nd Mother follows, but I can tell you how an ...
|
| peg feeding | 2/1/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: could you please give some information on peg feeding as in my sister is the victim of a car ...
A: It is really hard for me to guess why they are putting in a PEG tube, but from what you describe I ...
|
| Dad | 1/26/2009 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
Q: My mum took my dad to the doctors in August 08 because of her concern about his confusion etc. They ...
A: Sue, I am sorry to hear about your father and wish your mother a speedy recovery. Nobody can ...
|
| Concerned about 92 year old mother | 1/18/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: My mother had a knee replacement recently and came through the surgery and p.t. quite well. She has ...
A: I suggest trying frequent, small portions of her favourites foods (don’t worry about health at this ...
|
| How do we actually die? | 1/14/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: My almost 94 year old grandfather was diagnosed with metastatic liver and stomach cancer about 4 ...
A: Below is an excerpt which I think should answer all your questions. I hope this helps and I wish you ...
|
| bowel problems | 1/10/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: My mom is 81 years of age and not mobile. she continues to be constipated. I had her change some ...
A: Constipation is a common challenge with older adults and it helps to understand what it is to help ...
|
| Quick question | 1/4/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: I am a 49 year old indiviual. I am on disability for OCD. My question is this...I would like to make ...
A: Advance Directives and Do Not Resuscitate Orders What is an advance directive? An advance directive ...
|
| Dying with CHF | 1/3/2009 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: My 91 yr. old mother, whom lives with me, has had CHF for many years. She experiences extreme ...
A: This is very general and may not be the course your Mother follows, but I can tell you how an ...
|
| Please I need your help | 12/29/2008 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: My brother died from metastatic prostate terminal cancer when he was 68 years old almost three years ...
A: I am SO sorry to hear about the horrific experience your family has been put through - she sounds ...
|
| father with copd | 11/14/2008 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: My father has had copd for over 20 years he is going through the end stages right now. The doctors ...
A: If you’re asking me if I agree with the “3 months” prognosis, I really couldn’t comment as I am not ...
|
| My Grandmother has Cirrhosis of the Liver | 9/22/2008 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: My Grandmother is nearing 60 and got diagnosed with Cirrhosis of the Liver about a month ago. She ...
A: I am so sorry to read about your Grandmother’s condition – she is obviously very ill and is close to ...
|
| Failure to Thrive | 9/9/2008 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: I am so relived that I have found this site. My mother is 96 and was hospitalized with bronchitis ...
A: My first question is "what does your Mother want"? Can she not be consulted and participate in the ...
|
| HOME CARE VS. INPATIENT | 9/3/2008 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: MY DAD WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PANCREATIC CANCER THIS PAST MARCH. WITHIN THE PAST MONTH HIS HEALTH HAS ...
A: It will certainly be a lot of work and a full-time commitment, but I believe the time is ...
|
| Cadaver Donation, specified institution | 9/1/2008 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: I have been part of The Harvard Nurses' Study since its inception. I'd like my cadaver to go for ...
A: I would contact the medical school as they no doubt have forms they use for people who donate their ...
|
| Morphine | 8/19/2008 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: I am caring for my wife who is under hospice care for 4 weeks. She was diagnosed with stage 4 lung ...
A: I think your wife has built up tolerance and her current medication regime is simply not working so ...
|
| Friend dealing with life support issue on adult child | 8/13/2008 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
Q: I have a friend who's adult child was put on life support a few days ago. She has been estranged ...
A: Mindi, Her mother needs to speak to an attorney immediately to determine her rights. She can also ...
|
| Mother is in end-stage COPD | 8/12/2008 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: My 84 yr. old mother has been diagnosed with end-stage COPD. She also has CHF. She is on oxygen ...
A: It sounds to me like your Mother has prided herself on being an active and contributing member of ...
|
| my son has kidney failure | 8/12/2008 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
Q: my son is 25 and has learning disabilitys the doctors are now saying that he is unable to make ...
A: Sandra, I strongly suggest you see a lawyer. If your son does not have decision making capacity, ...
|
| DNR | 8/10/2008 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
Q: If you have a DNR order and decide to have a cardiac catheterization and possible stent, does that ...
A: Karen, I am going to answer your question from an ethics standpoint and not give legal advice. ...
|
| Lung Cancer | 7/29/2008 | Margot RN BScN CGN |
Q: Mu 43 yr old husband was just recently diagnosed with lung cancer. I am totally lost and don't know ...
A: I am sorry to read about your husband’s diagnosis; the time after the diagnosis is a very scary ...
|
| my grandmother is sick and has 2 options related to life support | 7/22/2008 | Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. |
Q: My grandmother is 84 years old. She fell and broke her pelvic bones as well as got a urinary tract ...
A: Bethany, I cannot answer your question as no ethicist could answer it. The first thing that must ...
|
