Need Help Taking Meds

That is true. I watched my dad and great uncles die from cancer. Big strong men reduced to skin covered bones, in severe pain during times they didn't want to be drugged into a coma like state. Makes me cry remembering it! One of the few reasons I stay in Oregon, is our right to die with dignity. If the doc ever gives me the time line, I will go into hospice where when the time is right, I will say my goodbyes, take a final pain med, and go in peace.
Faye, I live in Florida, and times have changed, doctors are now under laws ,cartels ,etc, make rhings dificult.
Times are different and I also don't want to be in Hospice without Jake, hospice is hour or more drive.
 
Faye, I live in Florida, and times have changed, doctors are now under laws ,cartels ,etc, make rhings dificult.
Times are different and I also don't want to be in Hospice without Jake, hospice is hour or more drive.
Don't they have in-home hospice there? I thought they were bringing stuff in and you decided not to go that route. Most states have in-home hospice precisely so you can die amid your treasures and loved ones.
 
Don't they have in-home hospice there? I thought they were bringing stuff in and you decided not to go that route. Most states have in-home hospice precisely so you can die amid your treasures and loved ones.
The one who came said she was brining her 5 yr old to save on child care, and when I called asking which hospital to go to having breathing problems she said I can't go to hospital she would send a truck with Xray in a few days when she could find one!:mad:I told her never mind and I won't be needing them. Went to er and BP was to the moon lungs needed treatment which the er did.
 
The one who came said she was brining her 5 yr old to save on child care, and when I called asking which hospital to go to having breathing problems she said I can't go to hospital she would send a truck with Xray in a few days when she could find one!:mad:I told her never mind and I won't be needing them. Went to er and BP was to the moon lungs needed treatment which the er did.
I know everyone has advice and things are overwhelming, but you might consider calling the agency who sent that woman and discuss what was said. Neither bringing her child nor that statement about you not going to the hospital are appropriate. Hospice delivers care, not anxiety. They can get you someone to do the job properly...or you could find another resource that insurance will cover. Florida is full of elderly folks who have retired there. I gotta think that there are tons of proper businesses to serve this population.
 
That is absolutely correct, John. Hospice does not involve those who participate in it bringing family members into the equation.

There are a number of Hospice agencies in NJ to choose from, as well as the hospital attached ones. For my daughter-in-law, we used the hospital recommended group and they were outstanding.

I realize each state differs, but what happened with Marie, would never make it in this state.
 
Spouse has to take a 16-18 hour course to give shots, also Marie can't be away from Jake that long.
Marie does not want to be in a Hospice facility miles away from home.
Hospice said they would come out once a week and would pick the day and hours to come. They want too much control over you.
 
I am glad you are finding relief. Can you take the meds prophylactically. that is to prevent the pain from emerging instead of relieving it when it happens?

I am glad you are finding relief. Can you take the meds prophylactically. that is to prevent the pain from emerging instead of relieving it when it happens?
Don, You're totally right! Taking the meds before the pain gets bad is what she's doing now. But, when she wakes up in the morning, it's really bad and she has to wait for the meds to kick in.
 
Bearing in mind that my medical training and experience were more than 25 years ago, and that what I learned was primarily focused on getting patients to a hospital alive and without further harm, don't take anything that I have to say as being any more valid than anyone else's.

I would hope and suspect that in 2026, there would be options for people who are unable to swallow pills or tablets, such as liquid or even sublingual forms of the same or alternative medications. I don't know this for a fact, but I would certainly inquire about it if I were facing such a dilemma.

Veering from the subject slightly to deal with the larger perspective, you probably all know that I like to take as few medications as possible, and that I look closely at the side effects or, more importantly, the serious consequences that might come from medications I am being prescribed because I know that there is more of me than the particular problem the physician is focusing on at the moment, and I don't want to take something for one problem that is likely to cause an even greater problem.

You might also know that I am skeptical of alternative therapies, supplements, and the like, not because I doubt that any of them could be beneficial, but because the information around them is always fuzzy and sometimes dubious.

HOWEVER, and this is important, if I were dealing with a disease or condition that established medical science does not have a cure for, in other words, if my doctor tells me that I am going to die from whatever it is that I have, then I might consider alternative therapies - not with a view to confidence that they are going to work, but because I wouldn't want to just lay around and die, and I say this well aware that eventually, unless we go suddenly, we're all going to have to face laying around waiting for death to claim us. Given that I have had cancer twice already, there's a good chance that I will eventually die of cancer, and I won't pretend that doesn't scare me. I am taking as good care of myself as I can, and trying to mostly eat the right foods, as much as I can afford, anyhow, but that's not going to make me immortal.

If I were suffering from a disease that has a reasonable chance of a cure, then I would like to think that I could endure a significant amount of pain with an eye towards the time when the condition would be cured, and the pain would go away naturally. However, if I were challenged with an incurable condition or one that I am unlikely to be successful in battling, then I suspect that I would want my last days to be as pain-free as possible, and I probably wouldn't be overly concerned about the side effects, given that what was right in front of me was going to end my life anyhow.

I like to think that I wouldn't want to take a pain medication that would leave me unable to communicate with the people I care for, but I am not yet dealing with such pain, so I can't really say what I might decide at that point, and certainly wouldn't fault anyone who chose to zonk out on morphine or whatever else might be available these days.

When you are unable to recover from a problem, then comfort might very well rise to the forefront of all other considerations,
 
Ken, can you please assist? I cannot copy your last sentence only. That is the gist.

With family in house Jake should be able to go through the injection training. Marie is not alone. It is not just how to give an injection but generally goes into first aid, reactions and general understanding of the medication.
 
Ken, can you please assist? I cannot copy your last sentence only. That is the gist.

With family in house Jake should be able to go through the injection training. Marie is not alone. It is not just how to give an injection but generally goes into first aid, reactions and general understanding of the medication.
Marie's son Dwayne here,
We just need to make sure we don't use too much in the injection. Thanks for your input!
 
Drawing up medication safely involves preparing the vial, instilling air, withdrawing the correct dose, and removing air bubbles to ensure accuracy and sterility.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prepare Your Workspace and Supplies
Gather all necessary items: the medication vial or ampule, the correct syringe and needle, alcohol prep pads, and a sharps container. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub to prevent contamination

2. Inspect the Medication
Check the vial for cracks, expiration date, and any discoloration or particulate matter. For multi-dose vials, ensure the discard date is within the recommended timeframe

3. Clean the Vial
Remove the vial cap and wipe the rubber stopper with an alcohol prep pad for at least 30 seconds. Allow it to air dry before inserting the needle

4. Prepare the Syringe
Remove the syringe from its packaging without touching the needle. Pull back the plunger to draw in air equal to the volume of medication you plan to withdraw

5. Instill Air into the Vial
Insert the needle into the center of the vial and gently push the air into the vial. This prevents a vacuum from forming, making it easier to withdraw the medication

6. Withdraw the Medication
Turn the vial upside down with the needle still inside. Keep the needle tip below the fluid level and slowly pull back the plunger to draw the prescribed dose

7. Remove Air Bubbles
Hold the syringe upright, tap gently to move bubbles to the top, and slowly push the plunger until all air is expelled, allowing only a drop of medication to escape to maintain accuracy

8. Change Needles if Necessary
If using a filter needle for an ampule, replace it with a standard injection needle before administration to prevent glass particles from entering the patient

9. Administer or Prepare for IV
Attach the syringe to the injection site or IV line as instructed. For IV medications, flush the line with saline before and after administration, following proper technique

10. Dispose of Supplies Safely
Discard all used needles, syringes, and vials into a sharps container. Ensure the lid is closed to prevent accidental injury

Key Safety Tips
  • Always verify the medication and dose before drawing up.
  • Avoid touching the needle or allowing it to contact any surface.
  • Draw air into the syringe equal to the volume of medication to prevent vacuum issues.
  • Work in a clean, well-lit area to maintain sterility.
  • Following these steps ensures that medication is drawn up accurately, safely, and in a sterile manner, minimizing the risk of contamination or dosing errors
 
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We just need to make sure we don't use too much in the injection.
Yes, that is very important. You need to know what the recommended dosage is. If you're drawing it up into a syringe from a vial, there will be indications on the side of the syringe indicating the amount that is there.
 
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