Muhammad Ali, 74, died two days after being admitted to a local hospital on Friday, June 3. The three-time heavyweight champion had been fighting Parkinson’s disease almost immediately after retiring from boxing 35 years ago. He had been hospitalized several times in the past two years for severe urinary infections. It is often said of the dearly … [Read more...] about The Final Blow to Muhammad Ali
IDEO Challenge: Re-imagine End-of-Life Care
“I don’t want to give up,” expressed a heroic 52-Year-old woman who had been battling aggressive metastatic breast cancer for three agonizing years. At one point, Natalie had almost achieved the insurmountable feat of remission, but then the cancer returned with a vengeance. Natalie arrived at the crossroads of a decision point in the emergency … [Read more...] about IDEO Challenge: Re-imagine End-of-Life Care
Death Happens While We’re Busy Making Other Plans
Whereas Prince did not have an estate plan before his untimely death, I am weirdly planning to be here today (in Phoenix) and gone tomorrow (to St. Louis). When my father takes his last breath this week or next, I anticipate that a part of my life will stop as he passes – rapidly moving from a state of living to mourning. Not only is death … [Read more...] about Death Happens While We’re Busy Making Other Plans
A Day for Me!
This the day the Lord has made – April 15, 2016. Unbeknownst to me, once I e-filed my taxes and posted another blog, a wave of completeness wiped my to-do-list of any pressing issues. I rejoiced in knowing that I had the day off from work and could do anything I pleased. This type of glorious moment in life is rare and rich - indeed, … [Read more...] about A Day for Me!
Heart-Based Healthcare Decisions Day – April 16
Javier was a heavyset 78-year-old man, remarkably edematous and exhausted, suffering from congestive heart failure. He had been seen by his primary care physician and sent to the emergency department for his difficulty breathing and hypotension. His vigilant son provided the history of the 3-month battle Javier had been waging between heart failure … [Read more...] about Heart-Based Healthcare Decisions Day – April 16
Another Opening Day
Once upon a time Martin Simpson was playing little league and had hopes and dreams. At the age of 89 he was falling frequently due to weakness brought on by urinary tract infections. Before his son could arrive at the residential group home, Mr. Simpson had been loaded onto the EMS gurney for the obligatory trip to the emergency department after he … [Read more...] about Another Opening Day
Driving Miss Norma – Off the Beaten Trail
The Number #1 regret of the dying is not having the courage to live a life true to oneself, but instead living a life based on the expectations of others. Driving Miss Norma is a popular Facebook page, a truly inspiring passage about an endearing 90-year-old woman who “hit the road” last summer after being diagnosed with uterine cancer. Off the … [Read more...] about Driving Miss Norma – Off the Beaten Trail
A Not-So Secret Admirer
Truly, a message that speaks from the heart (Wishes To Die For) is a godsend to others on Valentine’s Day. Dr. Haselhorst, I attended the workshop, Wishes to Die For, at the neighborhood library in January. I had tried numerous times over eight or possibly ten years to complete "The Advanced Directive List." Of course, there are many lists. The … [Read more...] about A Not-So Secret Admirer