A biannual publication of the
School of Nursing and Health Care Practices,
Southern Cross University,
in association with the
Australian College of Holistic Nurses Inc.
|
|
A biannual publication of the School of Nursing and Health Care Practices, Southern Cross University, in association with the Australian College of Holistic Nurses Inc. |
|
11(2): 12-20
Feature Article
Critical illness – a lived reality for patients and their families
Jan Foster BSocSci; MSW.
Jan’s case study provides an intimate insight ‘…when the
cancer is rare, away from the well-worn path, all are floundering in a sea
of uncertainty…’
11(2): 43Abstract: This case study tells of one family’s experience surrounding the diagnosis of rare cancer, where both the medical system and family struggle with a critical, largely unknown illness. The experience was complicated by communication issues between the medical profession and family, support from counselling services, and lack of information – compounded by a health system concentrated in metropolitan areas.
I understand that you are busy, but…
I am dying.
Yes I know that it’s true.
It may today, or tomorrow, or in a week or two.
And it will be soon. Not long to go.
But I am still alive, and I hurt, and I feel,
And I need your compassion.
The time I have left is the rest of my life
And though it’s not much, it’s all that I have.
This is not easy for me.
I need human contact.
Touch my hand, stroke my brow,
Or just a smile in my direction when you walk past.
I don’t need much,
But I do need.
I do what I can not to be a burden
And if I could I wouldn’t cause you extra work,
But the body is failing, I no longer have control,
And that worries me more.
Please try to see beyond and think of me as alive.
I know I won’t get better, but I’m not dead yet.
Help me live the rest of my life feeling like a living person
Rather than a breathing corpse
Taking up space.
In memory of the lonely old man in the corner bed who had lived an amazing life, but nobody else knew about it because they were too busy to talk
Jennifer Joy, 2003
11(1): 4-15 Feature Article
Strategies for coping with spiritual pain: A comparison of insights from survivors and hospice patients
Pam McGrath BSocWk; MA; PhD
The participants in Pam’s study generously provide insights into their spiritual distress thereby extending our understanding on ways to respond.
Abstract: The article presents recent findings on survivors' strategies for dealing with 'spiritual pain'. The insights are compared to previously published data from the same study looking at hospice patients. The discussion provides nurses with insights to strategies used by survivors to cope with adjusting to life post-treatment, how that differs from hospice patients, and the implication of such insights for nursing practice.
Keywords: Spiritual pain, Holistic care, Psycho-social oncology, Spirituality, Qualitative research. Introduction
Introduction
In the last couple of decades there has been a plethora of articles arguing that spirituality is an important dimension of holistic nursing practice (Loyer 1995). There is now a strong imperative within the literature that nurses committed to caring for the whole person should be knowledgeable about patients' spiritual needs (Davis 1994; Efficace & Marrone 2002; Ersek & Ferrell 1994; Gioiella, Berkman & Robinson 1998; Goddard 1995; Halstead & Hull 2001; Kuuppelomaki 2002; Kristeller, Zumbrun & Schilling 1999; Murray 1995; Narayanasamy 1993; Shuster, Steeves, Onega & Richardson 1996; Taylor, Amenta & Highfield, 1994, 1995; Thomas & Retsas 1999). The call to increase nursing skills in spiritual care is considered important in oncology because nursing researchers in cancer care are more likely to study issues relating to spirituality than researchers in other fields of nursing (Flannelly, Flannelly & Weaver 2002).
10(1): 50-55
Non-Refereed Occasional Article
Journey to the Other Side
Anthony’s mother, herself a nurse, re-evaluates ‘care’ as
her vulnerable family journeys at the mercy of the health care system.
Abstract: This paper attempts to provide a snapshot of the feelings and experience of a mother’s journey after her son is diagnosed with cancer. It is hoped that those who choose to read this paper may develop some understanding of the feelings experienced during this frightening journey, and that this understanding may influence the care you give now and in the future.
Selected quotes and poetry written by Anthony Barling, in 2001 appear in italics throughout this article.
10(1): 4-12
Pam and Nicole provide insights and recommendations to help
integrate fathers
into our holistic practice as we work with children with cancer.
Abstract: There is scant work completed on the fathers' experience with the treatment for childhood cancer. The present discussion seeks to make a contribution to deepening our holistic understanding of paediatric treatment for leukaemia by presenting findings on the paternal involvement in, and experience of, treatment for paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The understanding will be extended in Part 2 by a detailed examination of specific issues associated with the fathers' hospital experience and in particular, the difficulties they face with restraining their child-patient for treatment.
Keywords: Fathers; Holistic; Psychosocial; Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia; Restraint.
1(1):
10-15
Refereed
Feature Article
Margaret
Martin
Three Stone Stories: The fine line heals the memory of the memory
Three stones tell their stories about healing
Abstract ...we discover so much about each other, and leave so much more to share... In this paper stories of healing are shared. Through yarning, the nurse healer and the person receiving care recount their personal histories to make sense of their present circumstances.
1(1): 43-46
Non-Refereed Occasional Paper
Myra Sessions
Healing Guidance: A nursing practice
Nurse healers offer an alternative for clients needing healing rather than just curing
Abstract Nurse healers provide care for their clients in an environment and culture which views the practices of nurses as insignificant and often menial. While the nursing profession has tried to gain recognition by emulating the medical model, nurse healers have chosen to become participants in their clients’ journey to healing. The re-valuing of their healing care – ‘the care that sustains us rather than the technology that maintains us’ – will require a change of culture and consciousness.
2(1): 42
Poem
Anne Tamme
"Leaving the hospital" "The day after his death"
2(1): 42
Poem
Jenny McFarlane
Palliative care — An holistic service
Abstract All aspects of care are encouraged at a Palliative Care Service … An overview.
4(2): 4-14
Refereed Feature Article
Carol Young
Conquering and Coping With the 'Big C': A phenomenological study of exceptional cancer survivorship
This is a study which explores the experience and survival of cancer and addresses some of the implications for nursing practice, education and research
Abstract This is a stud of the experiential phenomena of the cancer survivor’s healing journey. The phenomenology of cancer survivorship included six themes common to overcoming disease – commitment (to finding out facts and therapies), the challenge (the determination to live). control (over mind/body), caring (for self and others), changing and gaining confidence in self, other and God.
4(2): 33-38
Non-Refereed
Occasional Paper
Michael Shnukal
The Death of My Beloved Mother: A commentary on dying
A personal and descriptive account of the loss of a parent, advocacy for a graceful passage to death and some insights on resolution
Abstract This is a personal account of the experience of the loss of a parent. The writer’s mother was assisted to make a decision to cease intervention for the treatment of a medical condition and to make a graceful passage to death surrounded by family and friends.
(Practitioners
Forum) 5(2): 50
Practitioners Forum
Rose Osborne
Aromatherapy in practice: Creative nursing — Daw House Hospice.
A description of the successful use of aromatherapy in a palliative care setting.
Abstract In Daw House Hospice essential oils have been used as an integral part of patient care since 1990.
6(1):
44-45
Non-Refereed Occasional Paper
Bev Moore
Suicide first aid.
Bev describes some of the FEATURES of suicide and the Living Works program aimed at developing skills in suicide prevention.
Abstract This paper describes some aspects of suicide intervention and outlines a service and some of the FEATURES it offers to assist in suicide prevention.
6(1): 4-13
Refereed Feature
Article
Pamela van der Riet
Massaged embodiment of cancer patients.
This paper analyses the massaged embodiment of cancer patients using a poststructuralist methodology
Abstract Ethereal embodiment is the attending and focusing on the body through discourses such as meditation, visualisation and massage, and the experiencing a new sense of the embodied being as balanced, connected, centred and of being made whole. This paper continues a previous article titled ‘Massaged embodiment of cancer patients’. Data from my doctoral studies are analysed utilising crucial concepts of poststructuralism such as subjectivity, discourse, power and history to examine ethereal embodiment. This paper will address the advantages of visualisation and discusses the link between spirituality, embodiment, and memory.
6(2): 20-27
Refereed Feature
Article
Ethereal embodiment of cancer patients.
Pamela shares her experiences as patients develop a new sense of the embodied being as balanced, connected, centred and of being made whole.
Abstract Ethereal embodiment is the attending and focusing on the body through discourses such as meditation, visualisation and massage, and the experiencing a new sense of the embodied being as balanced, connected, centred and of being made whole. This paper continues a previous article titled ‘Massaged embodiment of cancer patients’. Data from my doctoral studies is analysed utilising crucial concepts of poststructuralism such as subjectivity, discourse, power and history to examine ethereal embodiment. This paper will address the advantages of visualisation and discusses the link between spirituality, embodiment, and memory.
7(1):
36-40
Non-Refereed Occasional
Paper
Shelley Johnstone
Guided imagery: A strategy for improving therapeutic relationships and human interaction
Guided imagery is an age old practice which can provide relief far beyond anxiety related to illness and unfamiliar healthcare interventions. Shelley reviews recent literature
Abstract Guided imagery, rather than being a revolutionary complementary or alternative therapy, has been utilised for centuries to alleviate suffering and promote wellness. Its efficacy has been studied and documented in physical, psychological and spiritual dis-ease. This article reviews relevant literature supporting the premise that guided imagery is a strategy that can be used for improving therapeutic relationships and is an example of holistic healthcare.
7(1): 45-46
Personal
& Poetic
W. Ross Johnston
Mere male cares
Ross shares his thoughts on the caring role of friends and professionals at the bedside of his dying partner.
8(2):
13-21
Refereed Feature
Article
Elisabeth Porritt
Reflections on the Phenomenon of Readiness for Death
Lis provides us with an intimate a glimpse of how one participant in her study thinks and feels as he approaches death
Abstract My recent study investigated the phenomenon of readiness for death by analysing texts resulting from interviews with ten participants confronting their own death. The methodology was grounded in phenomenological philosophy. This paper focuses on the interpretations of the experiences of one participant, Charlie. Individual themes are discussed in the context of broader (common): themes to highlight Charlie’s readiness for death.
8(2): 13-21
Refereed Feature Article
Elisabeth Porritt
Reflections on the Phenomenon of Readiness for Death
Lis provides us with an intimate a glimpse of how one participant in her study thinks and feels as he approaches death
Abstract My recent study investigated the phenomenon of readiness for death by analysing texts resulting from interviews with ten participants confronting their own death. The methodology was grounded in phenomenological philosophy. This paper focuses on the interpretations of the experiences of one participant, Charlie. Individual themes are discussed in the context of broader (common): themes to highlight Charlie’s readiness for death.
8(2): 22-30
Refereed Feature
Article
Pam McGrath
Dying in the curative system: The haematology/oncology dilemma. Part 1
Participants in Pam’s study draw our attention to failings within the hospital system regarding quality of death experiences for patients and their surviving families
Abstract Findings from qualitative research exploring the experience of a group of carers of patients with haematological malignancies in relation to end-of-life are presented as a contribution to documenting the emergent issues in this area. The findings are set in the context of parallel research on a group of carers who have experienced hospice care during the dying trajectory of their loved one. It is shown by comparison that the institutional deaths of this group of patients in haematology/oncology was far from the best practice end-of-life care that the hospice group received.
8(2): 45-47
Personal
& Poetic
Dr Joan O'Connor
The healer: A true story
Joan shares an extraordinary experience with a stranger that enabled the healing process to begin