Coping

We have all been put in a position where we had to wait for big news or a serious discussion, often anticipating “the worst.” “Mom and Dad want to talk to you.” “Let’s reserve a time to discuss your 360 evaluation.” “Your husband’s ICU team asked that we set up a family meeting with you and your family to discuss your husband’s overall health condition and potential next steps depending on your and family’s wishes.” One of my current tasks as an in-hospital palliative care

“He’s been an inspiration to all of us,” the son Alex said about his dad, Mr. N., lying in the hospital bed, “He was diagnosed with stage...

A palliative care social worker once commented to me, “You know what I hear most often when I suggest legacy projects?...‘I wish I’d...

Palliative care is optimally provided by multiple experts (for example, physician, nurse, social worker, and chaplain) working as part of...

"He had a heart attack? HE had a HEART ATTACK? He just ran a marathon last month! We thought the chest pain was indigestion! What...

I hear doctors comment that their colleagues feel like they have failed in the face of impending death of one of their patients (though I...

Sometimes family members will comment, "He's still crying off and on since his wife died last month" and follow up with, "Can you...

"Can you recommend any books I can read with my kids to help me talk about dying?" is a question I occasionally hear during a palliative...

A sense of purpose. Sometimes this may be our primary source of strength, endurance, and resiliency at a time when health issues and...

"I always thought I was brave and a go getter, that I could handle just about anything. But I don't want to know the CT scan results. I...