[Dr. H's Clipboard] Anticipate Happily Ever After

Published: Thu, 04/13/17



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Anticipate Happily Ever After 
Despite wearing a patient gown, George was a distinguished-looking 72-year-old gentleman. He arrived in the ER with his charming wife, Jill, for difficulty breathing. George had end-stage lung cancer that was not responding to aggressive chemotherapy. He was also receiving treatment for congestive heart failure due to a prior heart attack. After the chest X-ray and lab studies proved inconclusive, did George wish to proceed with further testing and hospitalization?  

The physician found evidence of the progression of George’s lung cancer, pneumonia, a blood clot in his lung, and a possible heart attack. Determining an exact diagnosis might offer George more time, but very little quality of life. The physician did not hold out hope as a reason to admit George to the hospital. George’s worsening condition meant that it was time to consider hospice.  As George was not ready to cut his losses and return home, Jill would cast the deciding vote. As usual, the caregiver would need to determine the best course of action leading to happily ever after.   

These three practical tips will help
lead to happily ever after:

 
 
Resource Article

Aggressive Resuscitation of DOA Patients
Not Entirely Futile


The bottom line: "It ain't over till it's over."

All the more reason you need to be clear upfront and document in your advance directive your desire for CPR after your heart stops.
 
National Healthcare Decisions Day

This day aims to help people across the U.S.
understand the value of
advance healthcare planning.

For 2017, NHDD will be a week long event:
April 16 to 22.

 
Kevin's World

Grim Reaper Personae

My concern about end-of-life care has earned me the reputation of being the Grim Reaper.   I embraced my character and surprised my brother, Bernie, at his 50th birthday party. As he is a financial planner, I advised him that he was now part of a high risk pool, and his life insurance policy was being cancelled. 

 
Hear Dr. H

April 20, 2017 at 7:00am
"Compassionate End of Life Care"
Arizona Country Club
5668 E. Orange Blossom Lane, Phoenix,  AZ 85018
For more information and register:
602-309-8786

April 21, 2017 at 2:30 - 3:30pm
"A Talk with Your Emergency Room Doctor"
The Heritage Tradition
19303 N New Tradition Rd, Sun City West, AZ 85375
Contact Dr. H for more information


May 1 - 15, 2017
Summit: JUST DO YOU! 
The purpose of this summit is to share tools on How to Stop Looking Outside Yourself and Go Within to create true happiness, health & wealth.
 
 
Tributes & Wishes
#TributeTuesday
Share a tribute to a loved one who has died, or to mark the anniversary of their death.

From April 4th: #TributeTuesday: BJ Miller is living proof that serving others restores peace of mind. Who's your hero today?



#WishfulWednesday
Have 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

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.

Please support her film that makes “living while dying” easier for everyone to engage.