The end-of-life journey generally has many bumps in the road along with unforeseen calamities. Karl, in particular, had a series of misfortunate illnesses. He was a 62-year-old athlete with an easygoing personality and positive outlook. After undergoing ankle surgery, Karl developed a flesh-eating infection that subsequently led to a below the knee … [Read more...]

It is never easy to go out on a limb with patients and family members when nearing the end of life. Recently, I had the pleasure of attending to Penelope, an endearing elderly woman who was transported by EMS to the emergency department due to a change in mental status. Her distraught daughter rushed into the room within minutes of Penelope’s arrival and … [Read more...]

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...]

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 bone marrow … [Read more...]

Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach. Those who truly teach do so through their actions. Last week I presented my vision for Universal Healthcare Directives at the Gateway Alliance End of Life Conference held in St. Louis, Missouri. I was prepared to teach the audience how to apply the golden rule of loving one another as ourselves, in … [Read more...]

Richard Martinez, the father of a slain UCSB student last week, has vowed to start a write-in campaign to address “Enough is enough” in regard to gun deaths in the U.S. While at my nephew’s graduation this past weekend my sister-in-law stated, “If her daughter’s school declared a valedictorian, there would be a bloodbath for the top spot.” Perhaps a little … [Read more...]

The botched execution at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary last week reminds me of what we as a society fail to view as being right regarding death.  Most of us believe that no one deserves to die; therefore, lengthy appeals are filed to ensure that no one dies unjustly or in an untimely manner. From the perspective that no one deserves to die, I believe that … [Read more...]

The term Death Midwife strikes the tone of being both sexist and purely decadent; relishing the idea of being cradled in a woman's arms while dying. The concept is not likely politically correct; but could it be morally correct? Similar to a birth midwife, a death midwife nurtures and guides delivery from life to death. A death midwife naturally provides a … [Read more...]

Have you ever come across someone struggling to breathe and feel inept at being able to help the person? Can you imagine struggling to breathe while your closest ally is incapable of handling the situation? Struggling to breathe occurs, literally, as people die. Assisting people who are unable to breathe is what I have been called to address as an Emergency … [Read more...]