Top three regrets at the end of life - a hospice nurse’s experience

About Nurse Hadley:

Hadley Vlahos resides outside of New Orleans with her husband and three children. With eight years of experience as a registered nurse, including six years devoted to hospice care, she has gained profound insights into the field of healthcare. Online, she is affectionately known as "Nurse Hadley," where she shares heartfelt stories from her experiences as a hospice nurse.

Beyond her nursing career, Hadley has achieved literary success as the author of the instant New York Times bestseller, "The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments" published by Ballantine/PRH.

When dealing with any medically related events or medical emergencies, please communicate with your primary health care provider.

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[lemonlime]

“I didn’t do what I wanted to do because I was so afraid of what Betty down the street thought of me and you know what, Betty’s dead” 😂😂😂 great advice🙏😌

[smasonland]

Yes! I’ll be 34 this year and I’m just starting nursing school. I hear a lot of “but you’ll be 36/37 when you graduate!” But I’m going to turn 36/37 anyway and I’ve been dreaming to be a nurse my whole life. Why not now? Why not me?

[capt.bart.roberts]

My favourite quote from a patient in terminal care, "We're all dying, I'm just doing it quicker than you."

[Mommieandg]

A patient once told me, “you shouldn’t mind anyone else’s business if you can’t mind your own.” ❤

[zacgallenlover]

“Betty down the street is dead” sounds like my grammie 😂😂 almost 96. She regrets living through her husband… he didn’t let her have friends. Sorry if this offends anyone, But him passing set her free. She lives for herself. I admire her so much. Thank you nurse hadley for your love q and a about end of life meds (not end of life, pain) and it has totally eased her mind. Sending love

[mariegarside]

The most precious gift one can give family and friends is spending time with them.

[pearlsullivan]

For holidays I've started doing "let's create a memory" instead of buying gifts for my teens. They're not really going to remember what we bought them for Easter every year. But they will remember when we took a trip to xyz or did abc. It's been so much fun & i feel like we've connected more on these adventures.

[esthergebel]

I graduated with a BSN RN just before I turned 50. English isn't my mother tongue, but I graduated with honors. I only worked in a hospital for a few years but then volunteered as a nurse. Education is something that nobody can ever take away from you. Go for it! I wish you only the BEST!❤

[Mdaisydoodle]

5 to 10 years is literally a blink of an eye ❤ be happy

[whateveryousay]

When I was thinking about getting my Masters- i was discouraged bc I was working FT so it was gna take what felt like forever to finish (3-4 years). Then one day I was voicing my concerns to my mother and she told me that I should do it and that the time was going to pass anyway & my mindset changed instantly. It has been about 4yrs since we had that convo & I finished my MBA in January 2023 with a 3.7 and am currently waiting on my diploma. I am so happy she pointed that out to me- it really was eye opening

[rick]

To all on the front line workers in law enforcement, fire, rescue, EMT, hospital, nursing homes, homecare, assisted living, taking care of loved ones at of you are deeply appreciated!

Thank you!
❤

[PuffinPsychologist]

This reminds me of my aunt Mary… She loved her husband (My great uncle Jimmy, my grandmother’s brother) from 16 years old until the day he died (65). He was very controlling throughout their relationship and during the first 20 years, he was abusive. She loved him though and stayed by his side, had his children and loved him every step of the way. They grew old together and things changed, he began to regret all he had done. Nearing his death he stated that all he wanted was for my aunt Mary to forgive him and find peace for his transgressions… She reassured him that she had long since forgiven him and if given the choice, would do it all over again. When he fell ill, she grieved and widowed throughout his hospice journey and when he passed on. A few months after his death she began to wear makeup and go out. She was absolutely glowing (and still is). At first her children and other members of the family did not understand. However, it was undeniable how happy and free aunt Mary was. Not in a way of “forgetting” my uncle Jimmy, but you could see she had found peace and closed that chapter of her life happily. She now has a boyfriend and you can tell he’s doing things right, if you know what I mean 😂 Even though she is approaching 70 years old, she still speaks highly of her first love and husband. But she lives her life to the fullest knowing that Jimmy died happily and so will she.

[georgehollingsworth]

I have had the unusual experience of having been told I was about to die, and also being told that I could die at any moment. That was a number of years ago, but being so close to death changed me completely. I warn you all that when you are about to die you will wish to have watched more sunsets, and concentrated more on people and the things that REALLY matter. At the end, a lot of human exertions look remarkably silly and pointless.

[danikeebler]

I told this to a co worker yesterday. We were talking about going alone to bucket list places. I don't wait for someone to go with me. I don't care what Betty thinks of me. Betty isn't doing her bucket list like me. I don't want to wait until I am not physically capable or dead.

[vicvic]

Just preordered your book for my Mom. She worked in palliative care as a nurse too. I never understood how she could do it each day and remain positive, but I think her life was just so positively impacted by the people she met and their stories.

[Kelly_Ben]

Thank you for these shorts. The wisdom of our elders is sadly no longer considered as important and sacred as it once was... or the elders, themselves. Thank you for giving them the attention and respect they deserve.

[annabrimley]

I love your content, my father entered hospice and passed a week later to the day..Omg I just looked and it’s been a month today exactly..our hospice team was nothing short of wonderful, y’all are angels..Thankyou

[theresatzitzira]

My mother just died, I feel as if I was hit by a truck even though she has been gravely ill for years and her health had deteriorated further lately. I was her sole care taker for a umber of years and watching your clips gave me some help and solace. I wish we could have the certainty that we get to meet our loved ones again in an afterlife...

[derekwilson]

Shes beautiful! Not just physically, but also emotionally!!

[madisonzinckgraf]

That last one definitely hit home. It’s good to hear and I DEFINITELY will have that little voice in my head from now on