Patients that are so far advanced in their disease process that they require total care, rarely show signs of improvement. For the past few months we have been providing companion care to Mr. S at a local nursing home.
On Friday I spoke to his companion who told me that for the first time in a very, very long time, Mr. S reached for a cup of water as she put it to his mouth. Although his hands shook, she placed the cup in his hands, he opened his eyes, was able to raise it to his mouth and he drank! It doesn’t matter in the least that a little bit of water spilled. What matters is that this small accomplishment is what I call a “millimeter milestone”.
This simple act required very little movement, however it was a huge milestone for Mr. S. Although he can not verbalize his joy at completing what to most of us is a simple task, I am confident that deep down inside he not only felt a great sense of accomplishment, but a restoration of his dignity. Even small, millimeter improvements in a patients quality of life are always welcome milestones.
Congratulations to Mr S and to his companion for recognizing and encouraging him to try!
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