Saturday, January 27, 2018

A Lesson in Cancer and Palliative Care

When she was originally diagnosed, I knew nothing of palliative care. I had only heard about hospice, and the use of that word terrified me.


PUBLISHED January 26, 2018

Kim is a nursing student who is hoping to find her place amongst the phenomenal oncology nurses and doctors who cared for her sister. She loves reading, volunteering and enjoying the outdoors of Colorado.
When you think of cancer what is the first thing that comes to mind? When I asked my mom, she said “survival.” My dad said “devastating” and my twin said “disease.” I can’t say that any of the answers from my family are wrong. It once again highlights that cancer is different to everyone. In my case, if somebody were to ask me, the first word that I think of is “change.”

Life changes, always. With cancer, it feels like that sentiment is magnified to an innumerable degree. During cancer, the path to remission and a cure isn’t ever an easy one. When that diagnosis comes, it immediately places you in a situation that you most likely never would expect to find yourself in. It is from that singular moment in time that a new mindset is created and an educational process begins.





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