Post 94: Medical Decision Making - Another Perspective that Might Help If You Feel Stuck
"Five years from now, which decision would you regret the least in making?" When their loved one is not doing well and not able to make...
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Jeanne Lee
Dec 10, 20236 min
Post 92: Seven Approaches to Helping a Loved One "Let Go" of Driving
“I don’t think Mom should drive anymore. I tell her, but she doesn’t listen to me!” When I used to conduct palliative care home visits...
Jeanne Lee
May 22, 20233 min
Post 89: The Evolution of Goals
"At this time, knowing what you know about your medical condition, what is most important to you?" When a palliative care physician asks...
Jeanne Lee
Apr 4, 20233 min
Post 87: Are We Treating Me or My MRI?
“She’s getting better!” Ruben emphatically exclaimed, as he grasped his wife’s hand. Dr. Les, the palliative care specialist meeting...
Jeanne Lee
Feb 21, 20235 min
Post 85: "Why Don't the Doctors Agree with Each Other?" or So Many Doctors, So Many Opinions
“I couldn’t believe the surgeon was so upset! The patient was 80 years old, he was frail, and he didn’t want major surgery. He just...
Jeanne Lee
Aug 28, 20227 min
Post 74: “Maybe It’s Time to Let Go Of Some Medicines” or Why Your Doctor Might Deprescribe
If we have always equated taking medications with protecting our health – “Take your blood pressure pills. It’ll decrease your risk of...
Jeanne Lee
Jun 26, 20229 min
Post 69: 6 Reasons to Trial the "Time Limited Trial"
Some health or medical issues can be managed with relatively straightforward treatment plans: "I agree to surgery to fix this fractured...
Jeanne Lee
May 30, 20224 min
Post 67: The Difference Between "Potential" and "Likely"
Doctors often provide best case scenarios. The best case is what they are hoping for, and it is what they feel most comfortable relaying...
Jeanne Lee
Apr 16, 20228 min
Post 61: The "Supportive Family" - Two Perspectives on Support
I stepped into the patient's home as the man behind the door said, "I'm so glad you're here. I don't know what to do." He shut the...
Jeanne Lee
Apr 3, 20226 min
Post 59: Medical Decision Making 201
Have you ever made decisions "in the heat of the moment" and later shook your head asking yourself, "What was I thinking?" "Normally I...
Jeanne Lee
Jan 15, 20226 min
Post 54: Why Should I Care about My "Goals of Care?"
You probably do not need to know the definition of the healthcare phrase "goals of care" in order to advocate for the best possible...
Jeanne Lee
Jan 9, 202214 min
Post 53: 9 Steps to Holding a Family Meeting When a Loved One is in the Hospital
Most people do not want to go to the hospital. There is a lot of stopping and going in the emergency room, where you might have to wait...
Jeanne Lee
Dec 12, 20217 min
Post 51: Three Ways to Perpetuate CPR Myths
Sometimes it seems that we medicalize unpleasant or undesirable aspects of being a human being. One that comes to mind is grief. ...
Jeanne Lee
Dec 5, 20217 min
Post 50: What about the Hidden Costs? - 10 Potential Expenses of Living with Declining Health
(Many thanks to Erin Nielsen, LCSW, of The Holding Group and Magdalena Belgie, LMSW, for their expert input with this post!) "The...
Jeanne Lee
Nov 7, 20215 min
Post 46: How Being a "Fighter" Can Alter Your Path
The particular nouns, adjectives, and verbs we choose to describe ourselves and our lives can alter how we see ourselves and our...
Jeanne Lee
Aug 1, 20219 min
Post 38: Choosing Where, When, and How a Loved One Dies Takes Knowledge, Action, and Courage
Before I started working as a palliative care physician (read Post 1: What Exactly Does a Palliative Care Specialist Do?), I worked as a...
Jeanne Lee
Jul 18, 202113 min
Post 36: A Nursing Home for Dad? - Six Practical Steps to Making a Difficult Decision
"She didn't use the Life Alert button when she fell! What am I going to do if this happens again? I've used up all my days staying with...
Jeanne Lee
Mar 27, 20215 min
Post 20: How Do You Make Medical Decisions for Someone Other Than Yourself? - Five Common Methods
"It looks like I'll be the one making decisions. The rest of my siblings work, are busy with kids, or live on the other side of the...
Jeanne Lee
Mar 14, 20215 min
Post 18: Decisions Based on Love Can Be the Hardest to Support
I have seen my healthcare colleagues become so focused on treating a patient, they forget that the patient is a person with a family. I...
Jeanne Lee
Feb 27, 20216 min
Post 16: Medical Decision Making 101
"I don't want to be on dialysis, and I'm afraid of what will happen if I don't start dialysis. What should I do?" Mr. K and his wife are...
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