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Managing Other Symptoms |
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 Introduction
Various symptoms can cause trouble at the end of life. Many can be
alleviated most, if not all, of the time.
"Reming
me: Can anything good happen ?"
A list like this can make you feel a little overwhelmed, even though
each symptom can be treated. It is just not enough to have good symptom
management. Good dying is not just avoiding bad experiences. Living
well with a fatal illness involves having experiences that matter
– having the chance to grow spiritually, getting to say some farewells
and to feel the love of those who care about you, even just getting
to see the flowers bloom one last time. You will have more chance
at this if you are comfortable and confident of your doctors and nurses,
of course. But you can often pursue these uniquely human "good works,"
even when symptoms are troubling, or when you are at odds with your
care team. When you know that time may be short, every hour counts. |
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Adapted from The
Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness,
by Joanne Lynn and Joan Harrold, copyright by Joanne Lynn, used by
permission of Oxford University Press.
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