Giving medical advice with moral values is deeply personal and takes courage.Imagine delivering testimony to practicing emergency medicine for 30 years on the TEDx stage and my “Real Serious Illness Conversations with Parents” being condemned with this NOTE FROM TED: Please do not look to this talk as a substitute for health advice. This talk … [Read more...] about Unheard-of Medical Advice
Real Serious Illness Conversations with Parents
Death is inevitable, yet how one chooses to leave their loved ones is often neglected in the midst of life’s worst moments. Navigating the discussion of death is not an easy conversation with the living, especially when relating to our parents.Dr. Kevin Haselhorst emphasizes the importance of these conversations and provides five important tasks … [Read more...] about Real Serious Illness Conversations with Parents
Practice Self-Control on Independence Day
Can you choose not to fear death?At 73, Martha presented to the emergency department with a vague sensation of dizziness and was found to be in complete heart block. With her heart rhythm out of sync, sudden death was imminent. Martha needed a pacemaker stat! But she didn’t wish to be hooked up to a machine and was okay with death. Seemingly, she … [Read more...] about Practice Self-Control on Independence Day
Why Choose Holistic End-of-Life Care?
My dad had been in good health until this past February when he had two disastrous falls, resulting in a subdural hematoma which nearly killed him. Fortunately, a neurosurgeon was able to drain out most of the blood under his skull, beginning a long, slow recovery process. For several weeks my dad was complete assist, meaning he required help for … [Read more...] about Why Choose Holistic End-of-Life Care?
The Brains Behind It Episode 128
- Kevin Haselhorst - Author,"Is Palliative Care Right For You" … [Read more...] about The Brains Behind It Episode 128
Hanging Up Dr. H’s Clipboard: Human Nature Defies Common Sense
Ten years ago, I cared for an elderly man dying of heart failure in the emergency department. He refused life support and received comfort care. Still, the nurse and his wife took turns yelling, “Breathe . . . breathe . . . breathe!” The disrespect shown to this gentleman taking his last breath prompted me to “say something” through blog posts, … [Read more...] about Hanging Up Dr. H’s Clipboard: Human Nature Defies Common Sense
Ambiguous Life-and-Death Decisions
Lee, aged 75, had all the trappings of chronic illness: hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease and had a previous stroke. She wore a prominent “DNR” wristband. Staff at her care facility called EMS when she experienced flash pulmonary edema and was struggling to breathe. Lee arrived in the emergency department with a verbal … [Read more...] about Ambiguous Life-and-Death Decisions
Decision-Making for Oprah’s Caregivers
Shortly after Rosie arrived in the emergency department, she was ready to return home. At age 89, she appeared to be a well-put-together woman and was aware of her surroundings and medical conditions. Before arriving in the ED, Rosie was experiencing difficulty breathing and alerted her daughter, Tara. With her mother having congestive heart … [Read more...] about Decision-Making for Oprah’s Caregivers