Doctor's Orders

Talk about a PET PEEVE of mine! My mother was in the hospital, on a ventilator, 82 pounds soaking wet, very ill from Emphysema (which is why I went into the business, by the way!) and her stupid, unconscious doctor told me that she would die in the hospital and that I should start making arrangements. One of my mother's final wishes was that she die in her own bed at home. She did not like hospitals. It's not only vital to phrase things the way Melissa suggested - to the patient. But it's also imperative that any dialogs they have with the family be equally encouraging. Or at the very least, not discouraging.

Well, fortunately, that idiot doctor was WRONG!!! My mother not only got off the ventilator, but was able to come home and die in her own bed.

As far as I'm concerned, telling patients and their family members something no doctor can possibly know (that they are going to die!), is UNETHICAL. I didn't realize that Melissa taught doctors and nurses how to deliver the news better when she gave her workshops in hospitals. But wow, Dis, Bravo! Just something else to add to my list of reasons why I love and admire you! That is totally wonderful. So necessary. So needed.

I choose to believe that times are changin', too!