by KathyKastner | Feb 19, 2015 | Blog, Medical Decisions
Medical decisions: why does saying ‘no’ mean you need a psychiatric consult? That’s what seems to happen if someone – anyone – decides they don’t want any more medical interventions. Take this story of a 70-year old woman – still vigorous and enjoying life: “After her...
by KathyKastner | Jan 26, 2015 | Blog, Information, Medical Decisions, Research
Surrogates suffer in their role as patients’ decision-makers “A Systematic review: the effect on surrogates of making treatment decisions for others”– published in the Annals of Internal Medicine – was the topic of discussion on Pallimed: A Hospice...
by KathyKastner | Jan 26, 2015 | Blog, Information, Medical Decisions
A machine that helps you breathe. Used during surgery temporarily. However, if are not able to breathe on your own, you may need a ventilator for the rest of your life. Also called: Mechanical Ventilator, Respirator. More info:...
by KathyKastner | Jan 12, 2015 | Blog, Inspiration, Medical Decisions
Long distance caregiving When a parent becomes very ill, living far away is stressful. Growing up in Lebanon, Nada studied and worked in the US, before migrating to Canada – where she set about restarting her career. Always, in the back of her mind, was the need to...
by KathyKastner | Feb 17, 2014 | Blog, Information, Medical Decisions
Dying, death and the evasive language we use Euphemisms for dying and death abound. But what about the words used when telling someone – anyone – that death is near (‘near’ being a relative term). You’re dying may be the hardest words – right up there with ‘I’m sorry’...