Thanks to all who attended our recent talk with Dr. Mark Sandock! He shared some incredible reflections on his motivation for entering medicine, taking care of oneself as a physician, and treating patients during difficult times.
Many attendees at the talk expressed interest in the subject of end-of-life decision-making and advance care planning. Below is a story that Dr. Sandock passed along to us after the meeting from his organization, Honoring Choices, about the importance of having advance care planning conversations while you are healthy and well. Let us know your thoughts!
"A long-time friend of mine died of COVID-19 on September 19. His wife was admitted to the hospital three days later. After weeks of struggling to breathe, she passed away on October 20. They were in their 70’s. He had several risk factors; she did not. It is difficult to grasp how the pandemic so quickly snatched away these two vibrant individuals.
The adult children were trying to process the loss of their father while facing agonizing decisions for their mother regarding intubation, tracheotomy, and when to allow a natural death. One of the daughters kept their friends apprised of her mother’s condition via Facebook. Here is her recent appeal to others:
'For anyone out there who knows anyone with COVID: Please do your best to discuss with the patient while they are at their best, rational capabilities the use of the ventilators/respirators and possible need for a tracheotomy to facilitate care that might save their lives. Consult the info available online and any doctor as you might be able to. They are scary options, but there are many people surviving them.'
Fortunately, her mother was lucid enough in her last week to express her choices to decline a tracheotomy and allow a natural death. Her decision was based on watching her own father’s difficult demise after having had a tracheotomy.
Advance care planning prepares individuals and families for exactly these types of situations. Having the conversation allows you to express your end-of-life wishes to your loved ones before the need is urgent.
Who would speak for you if you were unable to speak for yourself in a health crisis? Appointing a healthcare representative allows you to take charge of your healthcare choices, even when you are unable to speak. At Honoring Choices, we facilitate these kinds of conversations at no charge or obligation. We help you fill out your advance directives which you can file with your doctor and health care system. Contact us at [email protected] to set up an appointment."
Many attendees at the talk expressed interest in the subject of end-of-life decision-making and advance care planning. Below is a story that Dr. Sandock passed along to us after the meeting from his organization, Honoring Choices, about the importance of having advance care planning conversations while you are healthy and well. Let us know your thoughts!
"A long-time friend of mine died of COVID-19 on September 19. His wife was admitted to the hospital three days later. After weeks of struggling to breathe, she passed away on October 20. They were in their 70’s. He had several risk factors; she did not. It is difficult to grasp how the pandemic so quickly snatched away these two vibrant individuals.
The adult children were trying to process the loss of their father while facing agonizing decisions for their mother regarding intubation, tracheotomy, and when to allow a natural death. One of the daughters kept their friends apprised of her mother’s condition via Facebook. Here is her recent appeal to others:
'For anyone out there who knows anyone with COVID: Please do your best to discuss with the patient while they are at their best, rational capabilities the use of the ventilators/respirators and possible need for a tracheotomy to facilitate care that might save their lives. Consult the info available online and any doctor as you might be able to. They are scary options, but there are many people surviving them.'
Fortunately, her mother was lucid enough in her last week to express her choices to decline a tracheotomy and allow a natural death. Her decision was based on watching her own father’s difficult demise after having had a tracheotomy.
Advance care planning prepares individuals and families for exactly these types of situations. Having the conversation allows you to express your end-of-life wishes to your loved ones before the need is urgent.
Who would speak for you if you were unable to speak for yourself in a health crisis? Appointing a healthcare representative allows you to take charge of your healthcare choices, even when you are unable to speak. At Honoring Choices, we facilitate these kinds of conversations at no charge or obligation. We help you fill out your advance directives which you can file with your doctor and health care system. Contact us at [email protected] to set up an appointment."