end of life

Hello, We first notice something was wrong with my dad around Christmas when he started to loose a lot of weight. This progressed with muscle weakness in his neck. He started to have a hard time holding his head up. He finally made an appointment with his primary care doctor. At that...

Steve had clinic on Friday and the doc recommended/convinced, Steve and myself that bringing in hospice now, is a good idea. Of course, she was very careful to explain... that it was a good way to get extra care and support. She also helped him to understand that there are still no clear cut...

I think Clinic days must be a thing at the moment, Nuts and Sooner but had them too. We had a generally unremarkable visit. The Doctor noted some slight progression in ankle weakness, not so much in the left hand which is hurting. He said that for the hand we actually need a hand specialist...

I do not come out on either side of the suicide or physician-assisted suicide issue, but I do staunchly support the right of PALS to be fully informed about their prognosis and treatment options. Indeed, in every debate concerning physician assisted suicide, all sides agree that the patient...

It troubles me to read about PALS who fear suffocation and choking when those fears are not warranted. When doctors say “respiratory failure,” they need to do a better job explaining that this does not mean "suffocating" or “choking.” Virtually all researchers have found that the vast majority...

Help! In the last week we have had visits by our GP, hospice nurse and palliative care specialist. ( she's head of palliative care in our large regional hospital that is 1 hour away.) We do feel very special that we have so many people helping us! The problem is, all of them finally get around...

Okay so my husband has not had a definite diagnosis yet, that being said, I think it's obvious to me and our family doctor and the Neurologist know what we are looking at. I don't think I can fool myself any longer I've got to start preparing now. Finally got him to start using a cane. The...

Having a moment tonight. Came home to a wheelchair/commode in the living room and a hospital bed in our bedroom. I am truly grateful for the help and I thought I was prepared...but I am not. It took my breath away. Clinic was not great on Friday and tomorrow we have the end of life issues...

I hope you find this worth watching BJ Miller: What really matters at the end of life | TED Talk | TED.com

I don't know where to begin ... I don't even know what I'm trying to ask ... My dear friend, father of our 2 incredible boys is now preparing for end of life. In ways it feels like we're planning to have another baby ... you know they questions ... where do we take the kids? what about the dog...