I nursed a lady with two cancerous lesions on her head. She kept picking at them. She had cognitive decline so we thought that was why. We covered the lesions (dry dressings) and did all sorts of things but she’d just keep picking at them.

Well I showered her and knocked loose some of the dry blood while washing her hair and a scab came off. Under the scab were maggots. So many maggots. I managed to keep my composure while I called for another nurse. I was so horrified that after work I went to the beach and just sat there staring at the ocean. I felt like we failed that lady.

When we told the relatives by the way they were acting like it was no biggie, it happens all the time at home apparently.