About 3 years ago, my eldest brother Shane was diagnosed to have Kidney Cancer. Little did I know within one year I would be flying home to be by his side on his last days. His 54th birthday would be in two days and I was at the domestic airport waiting for my flight to Batanes. After one cancelled flight a miracle happened, there was a plane that flew us to the island on his birthday. I knew in my heart this could be his last celebration.
The cancer cells had spread to his spine and other organs. He had been through several surgical procedures, radiation and other sophisticated procedures to diagnose further and hopefully remove the cancer cells. For this, it had caused him so much discomfort and suffering. He was finally advised to go home on hospice care it seemed. 24/7, He could hardly sleep nor stay in one position due to pain. He hardly ate enough to sustain his nutritional needs. He was half the size he was when he visited me in Houston a year and a half before. As I watched him smile, welcoming everyone to his birthday celebration, I could feel the pain and I prayed to God to show me the way. How can I help him in my own special way? Considering that I am an ICU, PACU, Home Health Nurse from the US..Surely I can do something more than anyone of my friends and relatives. Come on, do something!! I told myself.
After a few nights watching him and keeping him company, my prayers were answered. Suddenly I had a clear mind to go back to basics of nursing. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate!!! I then figured out the main problem at this time was PAIN. So I gathered information from his Caregiver (his wife)Dely on what pain medications he was receiving/ordered. Having the proper back ground on Pain Management, I was able to plan the timing and frequency of the different medications he was taking. I practically handled the pain management part of his care. I established direct communication with the local hospital to see what I can do such as drawing blood samples if needed, start IV access for fluid boluses as ordered by the physician. With these, he was able to bounce back to a little normalcy in life before he succumbed to his death bed 3 weeks after I left for Houston.
After 2 episodes of fluid boluses, he felt stronger, strong enough to walk around, eat regular food, and enjoy the fish I caught. It was almost a miracle to see him laugh at simple jokes, strum the yukelele while we sang for him. When I left him, I promised him that one day well meet again.. maybe somewhere, some place where there is no pain nor hunger. The Lord only knows when, but I know someday well see each other again. He was like my other Dad. He saw me through college. Because of his watchful eyes and gentle persuation I finished BSN with great scores. I thank God He gave me a brother like him.
When Sept. comes again, I will be flying back to the Philippines; to celebrate his 2nd death anniversary with the rest of my family. I know it will never be the same without him, my only consolation has been knowing that he is in a better place. 08-01-2010
