Wade Jensen

Wade Jensen was a fantastic help to me when I was being pressured by a doctor to stop giving my mother fluids and nutrition intravenously. He actually took time on a Sunday to meet me at the nursing facility where my Mom was and after I spoke with him, I felt empowered instead of stressed. He gave... me some great advice: Make the decision that you will wish you had made later on. I think Hospice workers have been brainwashed (and they simply pass it on) into believing that "fluids at the end of life cause more pain to the patient." Yes, sometimes that may be true, but they don't mention how painful it must be to have your organs dry out while you are still alive. DON'T TAKE THEIR ADVICE UNLESS YOU TRULY BELIEVE THAT NO FLUIDS IS THE RIGHT DECISION FOR YOUR LOVED ONE. I personally believe that if they are too weak to take in enough hydration, then it is our responsibility as family to make sure that hydration (and nutrition via intravenous as well) is provided. In my case, I knew it was not right to withhold fluids. My mother always loved water. I would not allow her to be thirsty. Hospice would NOT take on my Mom because she had IV fluids, but that was okay with me. I slept over and had other people spend time with her when I couldn't go. I'm so glad I didn't let my mother die of dehydration. Thank you, Wade, for helping me to realize how often this conflict takes place between family members and medical professionals. Also, to avoid constant pricking and prodding of your loved one's arm, ask about having a pic line put in. This allows the fluids to be changed, but avoids the constant pain and bruising that having a new needle put in daily. Healthboards.com explains a pic line as follows: "A pic line is a ‘peripherally inserted central catheter.’ It is inserted so that it may be used for a long period of time. The catheter will sit in the superior vena cava (a large vein in your chest). It is a common procedure performed by an interventional radiologist, PA, or specially trained RN. The line will allow for intravenous access without the problems associated with a typical peripheral line (irritation at the site, infiltration, infection, positioning problems)."