This Schiavo debate is unfairly impacting Hospice care

[Windy]

Hospice is a wonderful organization and the people that work for hospice are truly selfless. There are many people who choose not to have extraordinary means taken to preserve their life when there is no hope of recovery and to end suffering. These decisions are made daily. No one in hospice is permitted an IV or fluids if they are unable to eat or drink. The patient is made very comfortable with medication, the mouth is swabbed to make sure it stays moist. They are bathed, cared for with respect and the family is provided with grief counseling through the dying process. I know, because my mother was in hospice care with a breast cancer recurrence in the bones. The interference of congress and the vicious lies that have been told.. saying that she is being tortured... and Randall Terry, a known lunatic, saying that she looked like she just got out of Auschwitz is inexcusable and a cold slap in the face to the hospice organization and the caregivers who make the decision to take this difficult job and make end of life bearable and humane for those with no hope. This is such an overwhelming intrusion into a personal matter... The fallout from this debacle will be reverberating for years.

[deadparrot]

1. It's disgusting what they're insinuating about hospice workers.

A truly sickening example of how low people will go.

How would they like to clean and take care of this shell of a woman every day (including her bodily fluids)? These people are doing God's work.

[Windy]

2. Without question....

God works through them... They have so much compassion for people
Its just a shame

[cynatnite]

3. I loathe what these people are doing to Hospice

Hospice has always been an exceptional organization that provides professional care with dignity to ALL.

It disgusts me. I've heard that hospice referred to as a 'terrible place'. :grr:

My mother and I were talking and when my aunt became suddenly ill she was placed on life support. Some of those people have said that anyone who withdraws life support are murderers. It hurt her so badly because she used to think Operation Rescue was a good organization. She despises them now.

I almost want to thank them because their outrageous behavior has pushed my mother away who was once an avid supporter.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. You make an excellent point. The people who work in hospices and

do the work of angels are being put upon so unfairly, as are the families of all the people who are in hospices around the country.
This situation is disgusting beyond words.
I just hope that the "fallout" lands on those who deserve to have to deal with it: those who have made a mockery and a political circus out of the last days of a dying human being.

[China_cat]

5. Let's see, her guardian ad litem

says she now weighs about 150 lbs. If she looks like she just got out of Auschwitz, she must have been there as a guard.

[Ilsa]

6. Taking care of people who cannot care for themselves is very hard

work, yet some people, even on DU, seem to think it's a piece of cake.

[rodeodance]

7. I agree, wonder why someone did not correct the blabbering that went

on and on about her not getting her mouth even swabbed. It was horrible listening to that stuff from stupid people.