Category Archives: end of life

The Ethics of the DNR Tatoo

Posted on December 4, 2017 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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“The Five Invitations”

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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Timothy Leary revisited in serious research

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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Why are African-Americans not completing advance directives?

Posted on September 23, 2017 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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A lethal injection

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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

Posted on August 2, 2017 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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Your Life Your Choices

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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Ralph Waldo Emerson reflects on aging

Posted on April 20, 2017 by Jim deMaine

     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 →

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Wrongful life from unwanted CPR

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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“Is Death in Trouble” – from the Hastings Center

Posted on March 18, 2017 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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