Hospice Nursing Good Nursing

10/22/2025

The loss of a pet is felt with an intensity that Dr. Zach Bush speaks to.
When humans bond with other humans (eye contact, long hug), serum hormones were drawn. (Oxytocin, dopamine: the usual “feel good” hormones).
When humans bond with their beloved pet (deep eye gazing), serum hormones were similarly drawn.

Levels of hormones when bonding with pets were over twice as much, than human-to-human. So that when we lose our pets (dog-human relationships were mainly studied) the hormone withdrawal from this loss is experienced at least twice as painful.

The internet has a trove of such studies. (one such screen shot attached herein!)

Could oxytocin nasal spray help relieve the deep pain of grief?

Perhaps volunteering at a shelter in the interim, would honor your sweet pet, and relieve the loneliness for both human and animal.

07/13/2025

https://www.instagram.com/

Let’s review some preventive steps for your long life:

06/25/2025

Vaccines are guard rails against premature suffering and death.

BREAKING: Congresswoman Kim Schrier obliterates quack MAGA Health Secretary RFK Jr. during a viral public hearing by using her experience as a pediatrician to expose his staggering ignorance on vaccines.

This was an absolute masterclass in destroying Republican crackpots...

"Secretary Kennedy on May 27th you posted a 60 second video on your X account unilaterally changing vaccine recommendations without consulting the customary panel of experts," said Schrier. "As a pediatrician I find that extremely alarming so I thought we would talk a little about some vaccine-preventable diseases."

Kennedy is a well-known anti-vaxxer and regularly pushes anti-science beliefs to the American people. He was appearing before the House health subcommittee to testify on the administration's budget request which includes brutal funding cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services.

"Secretary Kennedy — and these are yes or no questions — have you ever treated measles?" Schrier asked him.

"Do I what?" asked RFK.

"Have you ever treated measles?"

"No," he admitted.

"Well, I have. Let me tell you how miserable it is. These kids have high fevers, struggling to breathe, and they are crying," said Schrier. "They suffer. Great news is that there is a vaccine to prevent it. Secretary Kennedy, again a yes or no question, have you ever treated bacterial meningitis?"

"No," he admitted again.

"Well, I have," said Schrier. "These babies are so sick. They come into the ER with high fevers. They are floppy and we have to figure out why. Do you know how we figure out if a baby has meningitis?"

"Excuse me?" said RFK Jr.

"Do you know how we figure out if a baby has spinal meningitis?" asked Schrier.

"How many babies?" he replied, seemingly mishearing the question.

"I'm going to explain how we figure out and determine if a baby has meningitis," said Schrier.

"Okay."

"We insert a needle between vertebrae until the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord drips out into a test tube. It's called a spinal tap," explained Schrier. "We used to do lots of them. Fortunately, we don't have to do very many of these any more because we have three vaccines that prevent childhood meningitis. These are miracles."

"Secretary Kennedy, yes or no, have you ever treated pertussis or whooping cough?" she asked.

"No. I've had it," said Kennedy.

"Well, I have and in infants, in fact the one I treated, weeks old, came in because the baby just stopped breathing and turned blue," said Schrier. "Let me tell you how scared those parents were. And I've treated a bunch of older kids with it. They cough so hard they vomit. They run out of air. They break ribs. And if you don't catch it before two weeks, antibiotics don't even work."

"They cough for months with broken ribs and that is why it is called a hundred day cough," she continued. "But you know what's great? There's a vaccine that prevents this. Of course, here's the thing, vaccines only work if you actually give them. And we know your record on this."

Kennedy couldn't argue because there is no argument to be made. His beliefs and those like him have caused once-dormant diseases like measles to spread like wildfire across the country. People are dying. This man is woefully unqualified for his position and if he had even an ounce of shame left he would resign immediately.

Please like and share!

05/19/2025

Zach Bush, Md, was a decades long hospice medical director whose insight into life, life’s transition and death is worth following.
Here is one example (of many) I am
posting for consideration: death and rebirth-not just for an oak tree, but for humans as well.

03/13/2025

“The Problem with Pain,” by CS Lewis is the first book I read that addresses the existential issues with pain- Why do ‘good people’ experience pain?

We address physical, emotional and spiritual pain in palliative care. Here, Dr. Zach Bush reveals pain as the force which pushes us toward something until we can see where we are going. Dr. Zach would be my pick for a consult in a palliative situation, with his keen existential insight:

02/13/2025

Colonoscopies aren’t as challenging as is the prep! And in the case of a recent experience, understanding what everyone wants from you, as a patient, in terms of “informed consent”
can be confusing.

Colonoscopies are so important in catching early cancers, need I say more? So here is my recent experience:

The point I want to make, is in being mindful of clear communication, allow your patient to speak, or you might end up with someone like me as a patient.

The Experience:
Patient (me) gets rolled into the diagnostic room. Three nurses are busy managing equipment. The physician who I am just now meeting, stands at the end of the guerny and asks: What brings you here today?

I think: He wants to know what are the symptoms or unusual issues.

I (The patient) begin a descriptive of my new gut “behaviour”, when one of the nurses peeks around the back of the doc facing me, and tries to cue me for what I now suppose is the EXPECTED answer. He mouths…”Co-Lon…” (and waves his hand in a circular fashion - a gesture of, “Say this…”)

(Oh! He wants me to say: I am here for a colonoscopy, I think. Well WHY ELSE would I be there!?!)

So I say, “OH! I’m here for a root canal”.

(Duh!!)
Laughter is the best medicine after all.

An aside: Colonoscopies are now being recommended into age 70 (+) because we are living longer. Get screened and Get your root canal today!

01/01/2025

Entering 2025

Ernest Hemingway once said: In our darkest moments, we don’t need solutions or advice. What we yearn for is simply human connection—a quiet presence, a gentle touch. These small gestures are the anchors that hold us steady when life feels like too much.
Please don’t try to fix me. Don’t take on my pain or push away my shadows. Just sit beside me as I work through my own inner storms. Be the steady hand I can reach for as I find my way.
My pain is mine to carry, my battles mine to face. But your presence reminds me I’m not alone in this vast, sometimes frightening world. It’s a quiet reminder that I am worthy of love, even when I feel broken.
So, in those dark hours when I lose my way, will you just be here? Not as a rescuer, but as a companion. Hold my hand until the dawn arrives, helping me remember my strength.
Your silent support is the most precious gift you can give. It’s a love that helps me remember who I am, even when I forget.

09/08/2024

As severe weather and natural disasters like wildfires and hurricanes become more frequent, it's important to be prepared — especially for older adults who may be more vulnerable.

Discover 10 must-have items for an emergency kit that can help keep you comfortable and ready in case of evacuation: https://go.nia.nih.gov/3XpMrxQ