I had an 89 yr old patient curse out the doctor today.

4 Because he told her she had about 4 more months to live.

Seriously, why do people think they are going to be immortal?

If I was told tommorrow that I was dying, I would try to make the best of the time I have, not curse the person telling me about my condition.

I really don't understand why death is treated as an anomoly, especially by people who are at an advanced age.
In the US death is not an acceptable diagnosis!

I have had patient cuss a doctor because he wanted to put them on an antidepressant. If she cussed at him because he was predicting her death in 4 months, she probably in her mind is going to fight death tooth and nail. As a younger person, she probably fought the world the same way. Most doctors have thicker skin than we know.

At least it shows she has some spunk in her. Good for her.

Quote from my.toysBecause he told her she had about 4 more months to live.Seriously, why do people think they are going to be immortal?If I was told tommorrow that I was dying, I would try to make the best of the time I have, not curse the person telling me about my condition.I really don't understand why death is treated as an anomoly, especially by people who are at an advanced age.

Quote from my.toysBecause he told her she had about 4 more months to live.Seriously, why do people think they are going to be immortal?If I was told tommorrow that I was dying, I would try to make the best of the time I have, not curse the person telling me about my condition.I really don't understand why death is treated as an anomoly, especially by people who are at an advanced age.

You need to give the patient a break here. Getting news you are terminal can be shocking and frightening regardless of your age. I'm sure the doctor understood it wasn't them she was yelling at but the prognosis. I wish her well.

Wow, coming from a nurse I would expect much more lenience on that type of a response.Being faced with news like that causes a multitude of emotions - and denial is usually the first stage. I agree, give the poor patient a break.

Quote from grannyrn65Why are you so certain she cursed him out because she had less then four months to live? I am sixty-five and I know that one day, in the immediate or future day, I will die. That does mean that I automatically accept a death sentence. You can bet your bottom dollar, I would react negatively to such news, likely bursting out in an angry tirade. And if I am fortunate to live to eighty-nine, getting this news, would cause an equally negative response. I don't expect to live til I am one hundred, but even receiving negative news like this, I would feel cheated if I were not ready to give up the ghost yet.Believe it or not, a good portion of my generation have living wills and advance directives. But a good number of us are not ready to curl up our toes and give up the ghost. Getting negative news, at any age, is difficult to accept. We have a lot of living left to do.GrannyRN65

Quote from grannyrn65Why are you so certain she cursed him out because she had less then four months to live? I am sixty-five and I know that one day, in the immediate or future day, I will die. That does mean that I automatically accept a death sentence. You can bet your bottom dollar, I would react negatively to such news, likely bursting out in an angry tirade. And if I am fortunate to live to eighty-nine, getting this news, would cause an equally negative response. I don't expect to live til I am one hundred, but even receiving negative news like this, I would feel cheated if I were not ready to give up the ghost yet.Believe it or not, a good portion of my generation have living wills and advance directives. But a good number of us are not ready to curl up our toes and give up the ghost. Getting negative news, at any age, is difficult to accept. We have a lot of living left to do.GrannyRN65

I would have sworn at him to. My family is renowned for the crud we survive self-inflicted or not. He should not expect warm fuzzies after a diagnosis like that.

Quote from Jennacohgreat post.OP- as a RN you should be more understanding. Everyone deals with things different. Especially one who is not surround by death on a frequent basis

Quote from my.toysI had an 89 yr old patient curse out the doctor today.Because he told her she had about 4 more months to live. Seriously, why do people think they are going to be immortal? If I was told tommorrow that I was dying, I would try to make the best of the time I have, not curse the person telling me about my condition. I really don't understand why death is treated as an anomoly, especially by people who are at an advanced age.