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Grip the Coping Tool of Denial
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Click here to view in your browser. “I’m never sick,” Sally said. She was nearly 70-years-old and said she had never even had a cold. She sat off to the side while her husband, Bob, was reclined on the ER
gurney. Bob had been feeling weak for several days and went to his physician for a checkup. Routine laboratory studies showed that his red blood cells, white blood cells and platelet counts were low. Bob’s bone marrow was likely being overtaken by a type of cancer called MDS – myelodysplastic syndrome.
Sally claimed to be invincible, but was she living in the real world? Bob had been a smoker most of
his life and had heart and lung disease. Had she been immune to the impact of his disease throughout their marriage? Would Bob’s new diagnosis of cancer make her sick? Illness spreads insidiously and is generally contagious. Sally seemed gripped by her denial.
Denial is a functional coping tool that is often necessary for caregiving. It can lead you to believe that MDS is not life-threatening and
that it won’t affect you. Denial allows caregivers to pretend that the medication is not chemotherapy, and that their patients will get better. You might not even see the toll that the medication or disease process is taking on your patient. Denial works well until the situation is no longer manageable and your patient ends up in the ER. The following four tips will help you work through and better understand the coping tool of denial.
Psychological Factors Affect ALS Caregivers The bottom-line: Caregiving is what you make it.- Caregivers are at risk for anxiety, depression and diminished quality of life.
- Attention given to anxiety management, resilience-based strategies and
improved quality of life can help caregivers.
Spring Awakening
Nature has a way of letting me know change is in the air. I can tell spring has arrived when I hear birds chirping in the three fichus trees in my backyard. Generally, the sweet sound of a couple of birds augments to the point of the neighbor gently reminding me to trim the tree branches before the situation becomes unbearable.
A Leading Voice for Compassionate
End-of-Life Care
Dr. Haselhorst speaks to individuals, organizations and institutions that are passionate about personal well-being, lenient healthcare delivery and spiritual awareness being provided during the time to die.
Great voids and gaping wounds exist in end-of-life discussions. Dr. H brings his diverse experience of wound healing and pain management to those traumatized by the threat of death or grief in its
aftermath.
Testimonial about Dr. H:
“...He is so knowledgeable & well spoken. He knows the topic well & presents an insight belying his age.”
#TributeTuesday
Share a tribute to a loved one who has died, or to mark the anniversary of their death.
From March 14th: #TributeTuesday: Anne Choon uses empathy as her primary caregiving tool in providing #palliativecare to patients. Who deserves a shout out in your life?
#WishfulWednesdayHave a wish for the weekend? Post your plan on Wednesday. Practice expressing end-of-life wishes during the prime of life.
Selecting Your Own Rite of
Passage
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Living While Dying
“Living while dying” is a new concept for most people. It’s also the name of a new film that’s being released by my friend, Cathy Zheutlin. She has asked me to be an advisor on the project. My opinion, like your opinion, matters in life and death. As Cathy explores the reality of her loved ones facing death, she turns the camera around and looks at herself.
How will she approach living while dying? The end result of the film is to have viewers ponder and pick their own rite of passage.
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