At this specific time, a special word out to all who provide care to the dying...

[HardWorkingDem]

First, this is not a thread to ignore ALL those who work in health care, but with the passing of Elizabeth Edwards, a special thanks to those health care practitioners who deal with death and dying on a regular basis.

Through my experience, during this time of peoples' lives, this is a period where the exceptional health care providers come forward and shine. From orderlies, to nurses, to doctors, to all people, who excel in this area of health care, I hope you know what special people you really are. Good health care practitioners at the end stages of a patient's life make a world of difference at a very terrible time. Even though times are horrible for the patient, family and loved ones of the patient, these remarkable people do the unimaginable, keep standing and keep moving on to other patients providing this exceptional care.

I hope you folks know how special you really are and even though many may be overwhelmed to remind you of such, you take it to heart knowing how important your skills are and how often times, those skills are very hard to teach.

Those who deal with death and dying are special people and this country needs more of them. And I know because my mother was one of them.

Bless you all.

[leftstreet]

1. K&R

[pacalo]

2. How nice for you to recognize these remarkable workers.

I had a first-hand view of how patients who are in their final stages of life are treated with care & respect. My dad died in 1982; I hid in the adjoining bathroom when I knew his doctor was coming in to give him the news. My mom & I knew Dad would want to know & we asked the doctor if he would be the one to tell him. He was very gentle & kind to my Dad, but it was heartbreaking & emotional.

He died at a hospital used for training interns, & they were very kind to my dad & my family, too. One particular intern seemed to always go above & beyond for Dad. In his final days, my dad's organs were shutting down, & this intern did what I thought unthinkable when my dad complained to him about his extreme discomfort of not being able to void himself. The intern impressed me with his compassion & professionalism. He didn't seem to mind doing the unpleasant task; he only seemed to want to make my dad more comfortable.

These wonderful caretakers have a special place in heaven waiting for them.

[Dappleganger]

3. Agreed, they are very special.

When my mother passed away two years ago we were blessed with amazing caretakers. Things did not go as smoothly as planned and they were there the entire step of the way, helping us through it.

[HardWorkingDem]

4. Cards, notes.....

From word of mouth and how I saw my own mother with people, I knew she was a great hospice nurse, but I really learned more after she passed away when I was going through her papers, notes, cards and keepsakes from patients and families of patients.

These compassionate people are very special.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Agreed, it is never easy to help a patient pass

and the family... in trauma you get to do this every so often. These angels do it every day.

[Maru Kitteh]

6. amen