The end - bitter or otherwise

There was a RadioLab podcast recently that struck me. How we deal with our end of life decisions is not something we talk about often.

I would recommend listening to this. I think it will raise some questions and perhaps generate some different answers than you might have thought you had.

Ken Murray, a doctor who's written several articles about how doctors think about death, explains that there's a huge gap between what patients expect from life-saving interventions (such as CPR, ventilation, and feeding tubes), and what doctors think of these very same procedures.

What do you think?

Did this change your mind on how you would approach the end?



If the embedded link doesn't work properly you can also listen to the episode here
http://www.radiolab.org/blogs/radiolab-blog/2013/jan/15/bitter-end/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=%24%7Bfeed%7D&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+%24%7Bradiolab%7D+%28%24%7BRadiolab%7D%29

Quick update

The family thought that we were going to find out about the next steps for Jerry's treatment on Tuesday. The scans that were done last week however did not include the brain so the full assessment for next steps is still 2 weeks away.

The scans that were completed last week did not reveal any spread, so that in and of itself, is good news. Jerry has continued to loose weight and is fighting a bout of pneumonia so perhaps the 2 week wait will allow him time to recover and strengthen.

Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated!

Health update - 2

Further tests to confirm the initial diagnosis have been completed. We just received word that Jerry will be starting radiation treatment for a tumor on his brain on Thursday, Dec 8th.

Jerry is approaching this treatment in true Marine fashion, there is no retreat, just forward motion.

Health update

What we know now:

Dad has been loosing weight so some tests have revealed he does have emphysema  The doctor wants to do a biopsy to determine what type of lung cancer he may have.

What we do not know:

When the biopsy will be. It again raises the issue that he is taking Aggrenox and the doctor wants him off it for a week before and after. His primary care physician would not allow this for the last proposal a couple of years ago now. Circumstances have changed so maybe this one will get worked out between the doctors.

Once they find out what kind of cancer it is, the treatment options will be discussed.

We'll keep you posted as we take a new turn on this journey.

Coming home

Yes, the release is scheduled to occur this morning so Jerry will be home later today.

The story telling will continue.
Stay tuned for more episodes to be posted.

Health update

Dad is recovering from a bout with an infection that created some complications and resulted in a hospital stay for a few days. He is now in a nursing home for some additional recovery/rehab before returning home.

Visiting time has taken priority over additional editing to post more episodes of Jerry's Story. The hospital was not an environment to attempt to do any recording. We'll see if this new location provides an opportunity.

In the meantime, you can review the archives and wait patiently for new episodes.