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 |  I've maxed out. Closed this blog. |
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This is a way of making myself write something coherent and grammatically correct almost every day. I'm opinionated and need an outlet. I'm also prone to flights of fancy. Thanks for stopping by. |
| I'm beginning to see a great need for counselors for people who are sick or dying. It doesn't need to be long term or indefinite. And it can be off and on as people go through different phases of an illness. Most people just aren't prepared to deal with their own incapacitating illness or death. Knowing that you are about to die, whether you're given 4 weeks or 4 years must be devastating. Getting your affairs in order comes easier to some than to others. Some are prepared for the prospect of death, but most are not. They can react with depression which won't help them recover from any surgeries or drug therapies. They can make erratic decisions that will be counterproductive in dealing with cancer or any degenerative disease. Some doctors recognize the need for such counseling. I know of one large practice that actually includes a psychiatrist who deals primarily with sick and dying people, not long term disorders. More doctors need to give lip service to such counseling and even recommend or refer patients to whom they give bad news. A non-family member/professional needs to listen to their concerns and guide them to make wise choices and to keep a positive attitude. We read so many stories of people who did their own research for themselves or their children, and refused to follow the doctor's prognosis. However, people can carry this too far; there is too much info out there that will steer someone wrong. A person can't keep switching doctors or refusing to keep appointments because he gets upset with the doctor. A counselor can help the patient defend himself and be involved with his healing without damaging it. Then there are the family members who fall apart or who aren't supportive. A counselor can help the parents of a child with leukemia; she can't make it go away, but can help the parent survive the stress and trauma. A counselor might help the spouse of a woman with breast cancer when he can't handle her sickness from chemo or possible death. Any illness or disability affects the way a couple or family function. It changes the responsibilities and expectations. If the medical community would acknowledge the importance of the mental and spiritual status of the patient, he could deal better with the medical aspects and get the patient's cooperation. |
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