by KathyKastner | Mar 31, 2015 | Blog, Medical Decisions
He seems far too young to be dedicated to minimizing suffering at life’s end, but that is, indeed, Dr Downar’s mission. His three specialties are inter-related: critical care, ethics and palliative care. Palliative care changes the focus from cure to...
by KathyKastner | Mar 30, 2015 | Blog, Inspiration, Medical Decisions, Videos
Inaugural BestEndings Chat topic: Why is it so hard to talk about dying. Insights, Revelations. Confessions and Spirited Debate amongst 6 friends from diverse backgrounds. Together, we represented Hindu, Athiest, Christian, North American Catholic, Mexican...
by KathyKastner | Mar 3, 2015 | Blog, Personal Stories
Personal Support Workers (PSWs) Rock and Rule Anyone who’s needed practical help with daily living when in a health situation knows that it’s not the doctor or nurse you turn to or rely on. Whether at home, or in a health facility, the day to day care delivery falls...
by KathyKastner | Feb 23, 2015 | Blog, Medical Decisions
Study of In-Hospital Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in the Elderly : Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) evolved from a specific intervention applied in limited clinical situations to the default response to cardiac arrest in or out of the hospital, an evolution...
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 | Feb 16, 2015 | Blog, Inspiration, Medical Decisions, Personal Stories
Living, knowing you are going to die Drawn, as I am, to learning ever more about how we die, and how ‘one’ dies, this David Dow title, “Things I’ve learned from Dying ” had me at ‘hello’ Dow – who is very much alive – is a death row lawyer in...
