caringspain.com

For caring together cooperation is the key !

We are delighted to report increased collaboration between Caring Together, the Spanish Public Health Service and other organizations.

To give you an example: Mr. X is 80 years old and in the later stages of an illness which involves cancer of the prostate which has led to growths in other organs such as his liver, kidneys and bladder. After a period in hospital he has been sent home with no prospect of a cure. Unfortunately Mrs X is 82, frail, and in no condition to attempt the care of her husband on her own.

The pain from such invasions of formerly healthy organs can be incredible. Mr. X needs not only nursing but also medical supervision as the disease progresses. Good as they are, our nurses are not permitted to decide the changing level of medication which alone will help to make the last days of the illness bearable.

So imagine our thankfulness when we found that a cancer specialist, who is also a specialist in pain control, had been assigned by his hospital management to visit Mr X every week in order to re-assess the progress of his illness and adjust the medication accordingly. This means that the patient is enjoying the best advice of a doctor highly qualified in palliative care.

A few years ago this sort of collaboration would not have been possible because doctors with this kind of qualification were few and far between.

It is our policy to encourage such developments whenever possible.
In this case we were also able to alert the British Legion to the fact that the patient had once been a member of the British Armed Services.  As a result we understand the Legion has made a grant towards meeting the extra expenses that always arise at such a difficult time. As Poppy Day approaches we hope that readers will be encouraged to wear their poppies with pride.

Asociación Caring Together, founded 1996, stands ready to become involved, in Alicante Province, with end-of-life care for patients suffering any disease (not only cancer) whatever their age, nationality or faith. We also believe it’s important to support family and friends who are involved in such cases, providing respite and other services. If you’d like to make a contribution, raise funds or remember us in your Will it would be very much appreciated. For contact details, see below.

Asn. Caring Together C.I.F. G-53118576
Address: Apartado de Correos 267, ES-03570 Villajoyosa, Spain.
RPA G.V. No 5377 Sección 1ª
Tf/fax: 965 894 240 Mobile: 649 956 365