Four things worth reading in the NY Times today
Submitted by James on Sun, 12/27/2009 - 5:40pm
A smart editorial on healthcare
A call to focus on ocean habitats, not just forests, in search of a balanced ecosystem
A round up on the state of automotive companies
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There's more, of course, but these stories caught my eye in particular.
Dang. I forgot the best article of all.
This should be required reading for anyone who wants to express an opinion about end of life care.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/health/27sedation.html
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.
Unless you have been there
I really do not know how most people feel about what is presented in this article, James. I do know how I feel, however, because I have experienced seeing this three separate times in my life: My dear mother, my wife's mother and my best friend.
I know the main argument against what can be called "terminal sedation" is that it can be said that no one truly knows for sure if "all is lost" in a person's life. But, to me, even though I have read about "miraculous recoveries" from all kinds of cancer and so many grave illnesses, there does come a time when a person is no longer viable and is in such deep pain and agony and with so many organ failures that allowing them to ease into their ultimate fate is a blessing.
I know that the risk is that what is done sometimes could rush the process, of course, and that would certainly not be acceptable to most. But, unless someone has been intimately involved in the end of someone's life, it would be difficult for them to be judgemental in this, IMO.
I've been there, too
And am coming up on it again with my father in law.
More and more of families will be dealing with it as boomers move towards end of life choices. Republican childishness around "death panels" in the healthcare debate was one of the most offensive displays of fear-mongering I've ever witnessed.
This is an issue in which care and practical thoughtfulness should rule the day, not political posturing about the sanctity of life.
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.
And Hospice is just so great
I cannot say enough about how dedicated and loving and caring the people at Hospice are. They are all about the sanctity of life and family and loved ones in addition to the care and ease of suffering of the afflicted.
Me? I have made it perfectly clear to my wife and my children that when my time comes and if I am in a position when my life is nearing its end and I am in pain, just put that morphine button in my hand with my thumb where I can reach it! If there is a life hereafter, I will deal with that when I get there.