Palace of Care – He’ll Be Right Mate

Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

I didn’t know what to do. He tried the spray and it helped his breathing and panic a bit. Then he needed it again and again. He wanted to call an ambulance and go to the hospital. I didn’t think that would help much. They might’ve taken him to hospital and then eventually back to the hospice.

When he couldn’t catch his breath he freaked out. He started panicking. He was too scared to go to sleep. He was scared he was about to die. I’ve never seen him so scared. I stayed up with him through the night. We’re both pretty tired.

He’s felt safer since coming back to hospice. He’s more comfortable because there’s always people who know what to do. I didn’t know what else to do. I’m not sure if I could handle giving him injections. It was stressful at home.

I just want him to get better. If his breathing was better then he wouldn’t panic. Maybe then he could get to sleep at night instead of during the day. He went outside and felt a bit better in the cold. Having the window open helped.

You can make him better right? If you get the right medications then he will be back to normal again. Then everything will be fine. Just have to get the right medications, then he’ll be right again.

Palace of Care – ZZZZZ

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

“How was your sleep last night?”

“It’s the best sleep I’ve had for ten years.”

“Really? Even better than before you became sick?”

“Yeah, I’ve had trouble sleeping for a long time. It got much worse since I became sick.”

“You’ve had trouble falling asleep?”

“Yeah, that’s when I panic, at bedtime. I worry about not being able to fall asleep. Then my breathing gets worse too.”

“Your breathing wakes you up?”

“Yeah, I only sleep for ten minutes to an hour. I wake up thinking it is already 5.30 a.m. Then I see it is only 1.30 a.m.”

“The nights must be long.”

“Yeah, but the last few nights have been better.”

“Since you started the medications?”

“Yeah, I think it is helping.”

“How about the panic attacks?”

“I still have some, but not as many, and not as bad as before.”

“That’s good, I’m going to adjust the medication a bit higher.”

“Okay, I am feeling much better than when I came in. Thanks, Doctor.”

“I’m glad you are more comfortable. We’ll take things one day at a time.”

“That’s good, I feel safe here in the hospice.”