Hospice Care

My daughter had surgery early April, and is on a very heavy chemo schedule (every 3 weeks) for about 6 or 7 months.  Her oncologist has contacted Hospice and they have contacted her.  I was under the impression that hospice was only contacted when the patient was not expected to survive.  Does anyone know if this is true?

Hello...my mom has ovca also..in response to your question,Hospice should not have been contacted unless discussed with the pt first! If she is still receiving treatment,then why would she get hospice? Ask the dr why he/she did that,while your dtr is still being treated? I am a nurse and i kinow how consults work..do you think your dtr wanted hospice and just did not tell you? Ask Ask ask questions..if she is still being treated,the treatment may help her..you need to wait and see if it helps her before making decisions like hospice..good luck and God bless you!

Yes, patient should be informed prior to Hospice contact. Still, I do know that the referral to hospice is often made by the doctor. Yes, they think you are terminal, but remember...all that means is that chemo and radiation and surgery have been explored and the cancer has not responded as they and you would want. Hospice can make life much more supportive WHETHER you wind up living or dying. In recent years, the referrals to hospice are as much to reduce Emergency Room care for chronically ill patients as anything else. We just got involved with them and are using them for what is helpful and continuing our own protocols that we expect to turn this situation around. Meanwhile, they offer a lot of experience and support in critical care management.

Hospice care is only for those patients with 1 year or less of life expectancy (some places 6 months or less).

They care for you, and provide comfort, but nothing curative.

They can be a blessing, but maybe you are confusing hospice with Visiting Nurse Service.

Best to you.

Beth

She would no longer be receiving chemo to qualify for hospice.

Hospice is coming to my sister's house.She dx Stage IV RCC.Is on second cycle of Sutent.Was working about a week into cycle 2,blood clots in both legs.Had to be helped to rr.Hospice nurse said,when my sis gets back on her feet.Which we are praying that she does,Hospice will not be needed.We can discontinue their sevices at anytime.So,does all hospice go by the same guide lines?

I pray for your mom and your family.God Bless

Thanks for your response.  While she was in the hospital she got palliative care and found it helpful in dealing with disagreeing doctors, etc.  Unfortunately, her husband is not very helpful.  Her doctor did contact Hospice and she has a contact person who is supposed to come once a week or more if needed.  She has a double dose of chemo every 3 weeks, this week will be the first since she has been out of the hospital.  Her energy is very very low and unfortunately I live in San Francisco and she is in Santa Barbara.  I go down for a few days every other week (I still work full time).  Are you suggesting that I ask her questions?  I have called her doctor several times but so far she's not called me and my daughter doesn't seem to want to talk about it and I'm hesitant to bring it up.

 

On 5/7/2007 Loriez wrote:

Hello...my mom has ovca also..in response to your question,Hospice should not have been contacted unless discussed with the pt first! If she is still receiving treatment,then why would she get hospice? Ask the dr why he/she did that,while your dtr is still being treated? I am a nurse and i kinow how consults work..do you think your dtr wanted hospice and just did not tell you? Ask Ask ask questions..if she is still being treated,the treatment may help her..you need to wait and see if it helps her before making decisions like hospice..good luck and God bless you!