Long rant-I lost a client today

**Jerseygirl** · 08-09-2002, 04:56 PM

I generally deal with loss very well, I worked with HIV babies for years and had to learn. Now I supervise a program for 41 adults with multiple handicaps. Today one of my clients died. We have been together nearly 10 years, she was 31,non verbal and confined to a wheelchair and functioned on the level of a 5 month old child. She is the 3rd that I have lost this year, but she was always one of my favorites. She died of kidney failure and I really feel like this could have been avoided. Her family was not overly involved, she lived in a group home (which my agency also runs) and has been in and out of the hospital for the past 6 months with bronchial issues. Four weeks ago I got into a very loud and mean arguement (I get kinda mean when I don't think my "kids" are getting what they should) with the house manager and RN because I felt they were not advocating strongly enough for her, you could tell she wasn't herself and the doctors were not aggressively searching for a reason. I provided all of the documentation on all the problems I was seeing and my nurse were seeing, but that is where my jurisdiction ends. I hold my agency and the medicaid doctors 100 % responsible for this. I have already dealt with this at the state level, but because she was taken to all of the scheduled dr appts they did what they were responsible for--the problem is they went on the opinions of a dr who didn't know her, did not exhaust all options for testing because no one pushed him to. Now I have to look at these people on an almost daily basis--all I can do is hope that when they are no longer able to care for themselves that they are treated with the same lack of interest that they treated my princess. Thanks for listening ladies.

**Michelle** · 08-09-2002, 05:22 PM

{{{HUGS}}} I'm so sorry Jerseygirl. I can't imagine how sad you must feel. I have the utmost respect for people like you who deal with things like this daily.

I don't know what else to say except I'm sorry

Michelle

**bmiltimore** · 08-09-2002, 07:16 PM

I am so sorry! That is horrible to have lost your friend in that way. {{{{Hugs to you}}}}}

**CAGmomof2** · 08-09-2002, 07:28 PM

I am sorry for the loss of your client as well as a friend!! I am praying for you!!

**QuilterMom** · 08-09-2002, 08:14 PM

Sending lots of (((((HUGS))))). I'm so sorry to hear this.

**Xylina** · 08-09-2002, 08:43 PM

(((Hugs))) I'm so sorry for your loss.

**mustang80** · 08-09-2002, 09:11 PM

Hugs

to you Jersey girl. I worked for a PCP, you get close to certain patients. It's hard when one passes on.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 08-10-2002, 06:58 PM

It's too bad that her family wasn't as concerned as you are.

I always hurt when one of our regular patrons (at the library) or volunteers pass away. Since you are waaaay more involved than her family is, I can see how much anguish is in your post. Try to buck up and send a card to the family and a donation in her name to a charity that you think she would have liked.