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Dying Of Myelofibrosis. Want To Get Palliative Care. Suggestions?

Posted on Tue, 15 Oct 2013

Question: Hi My friend is dying of Myelofibrosis. We want to get the palliative care right. He is a very individual individual and is reluctant to accept help. He is leaving hospital today, we are picking him up to take him home. he needed to be on a ward for this most most recent transfusion. His specialist has spoken to him about the need for palliative care. i guess I'm wanting to make this as easy as possible for him to die the way that he wishes.

Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Challenging issue

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

There is really no easy way to do this and I commend you for working on this issue for your friend.

At end stages, myelofibrosis can be very debilitating.

Right now if this is the case - the focus on comfort and quality of life should be the focus. Hospice services are very uniquely equipped to handle this. If you have a local hospice service this might be something to explore.

I would recommend a patient approach - listen, go slowly and gather feedback. work on steering the discussion to the priority which is a realistic one - comfort and quality.

Let me know if I can be of any additional assistance.

Dr Galamaga

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar