Myth of the Peaceful Death

Did you hear the palliative medicine fable that every single symptom for every minute of the day can be "taken care of"/Managed? Oh, sure you have. We know the world does not work like that, not the imperfect world we know, but want to believe in the myth. Connotations of a quote Good Death = … Continue reading Myth of the Peaceful Death →

Part 2: Prognostic Indicators of Specific Diagnoses

I've got your diagnosis right here, buddy. It's on your permanent record. Chicky thinks his Diagnosis is a frame job First, what qualifies us for hospice? What are the Criteria, or General Guidelines, for being hospice certified and recertification? Above all, the patient should be exhibiting a "terminal condition" based either on that big fat … Continue reading Part 2: Prognostic Indicators of Specific Diagnoses →

What You Aren’t Told About Hospice

I listened to a Jan 21 npr radio story while returning from a day of home hospice visits. It wasn't really news, and precious little investigation is in this misguided "report" from a couple of families. The families spoke wisely about hospice, which when first presented to them appeared a welcome alternative to the prospect … Continue reading What You Aren’t Told About Hospice →

The “M” Word

Morphine: there, I said it. Some people can't be in the same room when it's discussed. And then it comes the day after hospice sign-up, shows up in a FedEx bubble wrap bag while the family is still second-guessing their decision, in one of those small cardboard boxes about the size that you'd let your … Continue reading The “M” Word →