The more certainty I create regarding end-of-life care, the more confusion I confront relating to hospice care. Are hospice patients expected and encouraged to manage their lives or be relieved of duties and decisions being made on their behalf? While enrolled in hospice care, are patients to affirm life or to affirm a rite of passage? Is it not … [Read more...] about NATIONAL HOSPICE MONTH: A TIME FOR UNDERSTANDING
END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS THAT AMOUNT TO PITY
Surrounded by family early this month, Brittany Maynard left this world in a blaze of glory, courage, wonder and fireworks. Meanwhile, I witnessed the counter-strategy of another patient enduring the end of life while waiting aimlessly in the Emergency Department. This patient was in her 70’s, had metastatic lung cancer, kidney failure and total … [Read more...] about END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS THAT AMOUNT TO PITY
BRITTANY’S CHOICE
This past weekend Brittany Maynard chose to end her life prematurely before a brain tumor destroyed her life completely. Brittany’s death is not the end of the conversation regarding death with dignity; opening up an examination of conscience regarding personal choice on a national level. Brittany had several choices of how to end her life. She … [Read more...] about BRITTANY’S CHOICE
FINAL SALUTE TO BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: OPEN LETTER TO MELISSA ETHERIDGE
Hi Melissa, As your gay brother and accidental fan, we share a passion for personal empowerment. I am an Emergency Medicine physician and have written a book titled, WISHES TO DIE FOR. No wait, it’s not about dying wishes. It’s about seeing the end from the beginning and creating wishes by which to live. Not a medical book, it’s a spiritual … [Read more...] about FINAL SALUTE TO BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: OPEN LETTER TO MELISSA ETHERIDGE
THE SCARLET RN: BARBARA MANCINI
Halloween inspires horror stories of lives that end tragically and end-of-life stories that result in character assassination. Barbara Mancini is an emergency nurse. As a cohort and emergency physician, I can serve as a character witness. Nurse Mancini headlined 60 Minutes this week with her story of being arrested for aiding in the death of her … [Read more...] about THE SCARLET RN: BARBARA MANCINI
SERIOUSLY, DEATH WITH DIGNITY?
On October 7, CNN’s headline read: My right to death with dignity at 29. My inbox was flooded with emails regarding the heart-wrenching story of Brittany Maynard, diagnosed with a brain tumor last year shortly after her marriage. Following a craniotomy to remove the tumor and pain-staking research to determine her prognosis and options, she left … [Read more...] about SERIOUSLY, DEATH WITH DIGNITY?
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Routine urinary infections can be life-threatening in elderly patients. Last year my always-organized mother developed disorganized thinking in conjunction with a urinary infection. She claimed over our weekly phone call that her new medication did not make her feel right. She neglected to mention that having a fever was the reason for this … [Read more...] about LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
MY MOTHER, MARY
Being a child of God and having a mother named Mary has graced my life with divine relevance. My grade school, St. Mary’s, proclaimed the sanctity of this name. Each May the prettiest girl in school crowned the statue of the Blessed Mother. Seemingly, a voice from heaven had said to me, this is My beloved Mary with whom I am well-pleased (Mathew … [Read more...] about MY MOTHER, MARY