"Fighting for change and advocating for a precious loved one."

I recently went to visit my partner at Northam Regional Hospital.  My partner is terminally ill and I am aware that they only have a short time. They were put on intravenous antibiotics to try and give my partner a chance to clear the cellulitis infection on their legs.  The palliative care Drs had said that they would try to give my partner the best chance to buy more time, before such time as hospice.  

I walked into my partner's room to find them sitting in a chair in their underwear, in an open doorway, on display to whoever was walking down the corridor, visitors and staff.  Their legs were leaking fluid all over the floor and their cannula site had bled all over their hand and there was blood on the floor.  My partner's bed had been stripped and I do not know how long they were sitting in that chair, exposed and vulnerable.  I understand my partner had been told that they did not have any staff to put in another canula and indeed the nurse took their cannula out and they were put on box antibiotics.  

I cleaned up the exudate fluid on the floor and placed a bluey sheet under my partner's feet. I tried to clean up the blood on the floor and reassure my partner and preserve their dignity. I questioned the nurse about the boxed antibiotics and stated that my partner and myself had been reassured that we would be supported during this time towards my partner's impending end of life by palliative care Doctor.

I wish for my partner to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect.  I wish for them to be treated with great compassion and better treatment and care than they have experienced up to date.  What happens now determines how I also go forward after my beloved partner has passed away.  I will continue to fight for my partner, be their voice and advocate for them for change and better care.  I do not wish other families with terminally ill, palliative loved ones to have to experience the horror that we have.  Thank you for your time in reading our story.