One thing that I deal with on a regular basis working where I do, is death. I see people at their best. Many residents move in as independent residents I see them as their needs change. There is nothing comforting about this. Even though Rockwood maintains a significant role in the wellness of the residents, life happens. Residents fall, they get sick, they forget.
Today I learned that a residents' best friend passed away in December. The woman had been to the Community Center several times. She wasn't a resident, but might as well have been. We had grown quite fond of her. She was dealing with her 2nd (at least) bout of cancer. The resident was talking to me about the conversation between the doctor and her friend. The doctor knew that additional chemo would only lead to more hospital and ER visits and would not ultimatley cure or rid her of the cancer that had spread throughout her body. The patient however believed that the chemo was prolonging her life. This raises the ultimate question. At what point, do you give up? Do you pull the plug? Do you say, goodbye to the pain and hello to a new life?
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