My heartfelt condolences to Keith Olbermann. I am sorry for his loss.
I am a big fan of his. I DVR every show. I was also away at work 15 hours today getting my ass kicked so excuse any mistakes.
With that being said I am only wiser to the illness(s) his father suffered from the same as many of you from what Mr Olberman has talked/wrote about on several occasions over the last several months. I can relate. My own father is suffering from a terminal illness that it is only a matter of when, or how soon.
I am an RN and work in a ICU.
I remember several months ago, after listening to Keith talk/write about his dads surgery and subsuquent complications, that I sadly said to my wife, "Keith's dad is not going to make it". I just knew. Yeah sure there are some exceptions, and I relish them when they happen But I have seen many, many times.
What isnt talked about in many cases is what happens after you get over what brought you in. A leaky bowel of any sort, to any degree is usually a death sentence for the elderly, and if not, it is ALWAYS severly debilitating. Most will eventually get pneumonia, or sepsis, one way or the other.
I have seen it many times unfortunately. We have a great system for those that have access. Barring sudden death we can keep you alive reagardless of your bodies attempt to die. We can extend your death. We nurses know it, the doctors know it, we all know your going to die but sometimes you just cant convince people, and many times doctors and nurses just do not want to go through it. And there are some family members, "decision makers" that are just not the type that will listen to it, and you will get yourself ass deep in bullshit if you try to tell them straight.
Instead, many times it goes on and on and the person is just strung out for weeks, months, with no real quality life ever again. Its really sad, and depressing.
If not today, or not tommorrow, it is coming, maybe a week or a month,
A month in hell.
Or more.
Unfortunately, sooner or later we ALL are going to go through it, it is going to happen eventually. Barring sudden death.
There is no life in suffering. Tell your loved ones, or write it down, what level of suffering is worth living for.
That is what it comes down to.
Lets be honest and open about life and death, without giving up hope.
more later