Category Archives: end of life

How (not) to talk to someone with advanced cancer

Kate Bowler is an assistant professor at Duke Divinity School, the author of “Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved.” She has been “terminal” (what does that mean any more?) with stage IV cancer but  her life … Continue reading

Posted in end of life, Essays, Health | Comments Off on How (not) to talk to someone with advanced cancer

Advance Directives for dementia

There’s a recent article in the New York Times about a new type of Advance Directive for dementia. It’s a five page attempt to help us to clarify in advance, what our wishes for medical interventions would be if we’re … Continue reading

Posted in Advance Directives, Advocacy, end of life | Comments Off on Advance Directives for dementia

“WeCroak”

I’m somewhat shocked about this one, an app for your phone reminding us 5 times a day that we’re going to die. Wow. I felt like death was my constant companion when I was in Critical Care Medicine where mortality was … Continue reading

Posted in end of life, Health, Science and Technology | Comments Off on “WeCroak”

The Ethics of the DNR Tatoo

LINDSEY BEVER, THE WASHINGTON POST 1 DEC 2017 Doctors in Miami faced an unusual ethical dilemma when an unconscious, deteriorating patient was brought into the emergency room with the words “Do Not Resuscitate” across his chest. The 70-year-old man was taken earlier this … Continue reading

Posted in end of life, Health | Comments Off on The Ethics of the DNR Tatoo

“The Five Invitations”

From The Lion’s Roar: Buddhist teacher Frank Ostaseski has been one of the leading voices in contemplative end-of-life care since the 1980s. In this video, he talks with Lion’s Roar’s Lindsay Kyte about the lessons he’s learned at the bedsides of … Continue reading

Posted in end of life, Religion | Comments Off on “The Five Invitations”

Timothy Leary revisited in serious research

I’ll be attending a conference on Friday October 27th at the UW Law School: Psychedelic Medicine – New Frontiers in Palliative Care. The use of psilocybin, MDMA, marijuana and others will be discussed particularly in relation to palliative and end-of-life … Continue reading

Posted in end of life, Health | 1 Comment

Why are African-Americans not completing advance directives?

First a disclaimer. As a Caucasian, I have only personal anecdotal impressions from the African-American patients I have cared for. To me their approaches to end of life decisions were not uniform by any means, but there was clearly often … Continue reading

Posted in end of life, Health, Hospice, Race | Comments Off on Why are African-Americans not completing advance directives?

A lethal injection

I entered the exam room as an intravenous catheter was being inserted expertly. The procedure had been explained to me. I wanted to be there to comfort my friend in his last moments. Life had been getting difficult and the … Continue reading

Posted in end of life | Comments Off on A lethal injection

Life support vs. comfort care – not always a clear choice

Ed Note: The following is not an unusual situation. Following an advance directive is not necessarily a clear choice. This young Critical Care physician has an ethical dilemma involving a loved family member. If interested, I have similar stories of … Continue reading

Posted in end of life, Health | Comments Off on Life support vs. comfort care – not always a clear choice

Your Life Your Choices

Below is a video of a program I’ve been involved with for the past 10 years giving presentations at Skyline and a variety of other venues. We all have the rights to make end of life choices and to have them … Continue reading

Posted in end of life, Health | 1 Comment

Ralph Waldo Emerson reflects on aging

     From the Poetry Foundation: “Ralph Waldo Emerson was a pioneering figure of what is now called “multiculturalism” who expanded the Eastern horizons of generations of American readers and writers, and he persuasively demonstrated how classical Indian, Chinese, and … Continue reading

Posted in Aging Sites, end of life, Essays, Poetry | Comments Off on Ralph Waldo Emerson reflects on aging

Wrongful life from unwanted CPR

Paula Span in the NYT has an interesting and challenging essay about unwanted CPR. Others have also commented on this issue. There are legal, medical, and moral issues involved. I think at Skyline we are more aware of this issue … Continue reading

Posted in end of life | Comments Off on Wrongful life from unwanted CPR

April 29th film and gathering at nearby Seattle First Baptist Church

Hospice Chaplain Trudy James has spoken previously at Skyline. If you missed viewing her film Speaking of Dying, here’s your chance. I’ll be there! 4 p.m. — FREE SCREENING of the 30-minute film SPEAKING OF DYING, plus  a conversation with  two physicians … Continue reading

Posted in end of life, Health, Hospice | Comments Off on April 29th film and gathering at nearby Seattle First Baptist Church

“Is Death in Trouble” – from the Hastings Center

Daniel Callahan wonders if death is in trouble. Have we pushed death back so far with the advances in medicine that we no longer die of old age? It’s an interesting thought. Death may be intellectually inevitable but it’s always … Continue reading

Posted in end of life, Health | Comments Off on “Is Death in Trouble” – from the Hastings Center

Physician Aid in Dying Gains Acceptance in the U.S.

From the NYT: “The number of residents taking advantage of these laws in Oregon and Washington has climbed in the past two years. Still, after nearly 20 years in Oregon and eight in Washington, far fewer than 1 percent of … Continue reading

Posted in end of life, Health | Comments Off on Physician Aid in Dying Gains Acceptance in the U.S.