Rounding with Oscar

Oscar lives on the dementia unit. He is the most unusual cat that I have encountered - in that he always shows up in the last hours of a nursing home residents life to hold vigil. Has not missed a death in the past year.

This week Oscar made rounds with me when I was deciding whether it was time to refer a person to hospice. He sat in the window while I examined the patient and reflected on whether this epiosde of pneumonia would be a terminal event. He sat their knowingly looking at me - I knew that it was time, but after several years of taking care of this patient - it was sad to admit it was time.

While I can write orders for medications to keep her comfortable, I am comforted that Oscar will be at her side.