SAMPLE CASE STUDY

Client is a 75-year-old woman in hospice for Stage 4 Bile Duct Cancer. Client was admitted into hospice on June 11.  I visit her three times a week at ABODE.

 

Client is physically very weak and says she has lost half her body weight in the past six months. Side effects from her cancer are severe nausea, vomiting and a metallic taste in her mouth. Client has developed a bed sore on her sacrum. When I first met with her, she was adamant about not wanting to take any pain medication. But that has changed in the past week – she takes morphine and fentanyl now to help with the pain she describes as “a demon attacking different parts“ of her body. I ensure that ABODE’s staff is aware of this need and that the appropriate medication is administered.

 

She sleeps a lot, which she describes as a deep, dreamless sleep. She loves visitors and has a wonderful sense of humor and personality. Once her visitors leave, she immediately drops back into sleep. Client says she is “ready to go,” and is not afraid of death. She says she is ready to be done with the nausea and pain. One thing that brings her a lot of pride is that her body will be donated to the University of Texas Health Science Program upon her death.

 

Client has a strong Catholic faith and meets with a chaplain once a week – he comes to visit her at ABODE.  She is open to talking about death and what happens after we die. Together, we embrace ABODE’s mission of contemplative living and dying.

 

Because of where she is in her cancer journey, we don’t really have a goal – just to move through this final chapter with as much dignity as possible. She was concerned about making sure her UT-Health Science Program agreement is upheld after her death – that is, she’s donating her body to the university for educational purposes. I assure her the ABODE staff is aware and that protocols are handled.

 

Client has limited mobility and energy, so our time together leans toward the subtle side. For her Yoga Treatment Plan, we practice breathwork and mudras when she’s feeling nauseated, and some light joint-freeing movement sessions when she’s feeling better. 

 

We’ve also explored practicing opposites – if the pain is a demon, what does it feel like/look like? Can you allow yourself to visualize pain as something that is pleasing to you? Like butterflies, for example? 

 

This client has left an imprint on my heart. Although I grieve her loss, I am very grateful to have known her and happy in the fact that she is now free from pain and nausea and that her body will help others who may have this rare type of cancer. On one of our last days together, I wheeled her bed out into the sun, and she sat like a goddess in the warm rays. Working with her reminded me that this work is about meeting the client where she is. Sometimes just sitting with her and being with her pain was what she needed in the moment. 

Working with ABODE has allowed me to see the true benefit of this work. ABODE’s mission of providing a beautiful home and compassionate care for those at the end of life has inspired me to look more deeply into my limited time on earth and to visualize my own desires at end of life. Being able to practice contemplative care myself allows me to selflessly serve my client.