Journal entry by Al Negstad — 29 minutes ago
When Dr. David Eitrheim was diagnosed with a form of tongue cancer he decided to write a weekly blog to inform others of his situation. He died January 2016. His blog posts were gathered into a book THE RACE OF MY LIFE: 50 ESSAYS ON LIVING WITH CANCER. #42 is titled "In search of a better death."
He writes "Some patients do want very aggressive treatment to the end of life. Part of my journey as a physician was to learn not to judge others' choices. Some patients refuse to quit aggressive treatments because they are afraid of death. Some patients are in denial up until death but still do well psychologically by believing that will continue to live. Some patients want to show their family how much they love them by refusing to 'give up.' Stuart Scott, the sportscaster who recently passed away at a young age, pointed out that many good fighters die from cancer. 'When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live.' Mahatma Gandhi said, 'My life is my message.' Sometimes I believe that a fight to the end is a patient's message that as long as I have life in my body, I will endure and persevere." p. 174.
At the end of each blog he has questions for discussion and one question after this post is "What is your idea of a 'good death?' Frequently I've said 'Joanne died a good death.' She got much of what she wanted, time to say goodbye, responses from hundreds of her family and friends, she was at home, her family was with her, pain was managed and she was cognizant almost to the moment she died.
What is your idea of a good death?
Blessings,
Joanne is pictured in her chair with three of her nieces.
He writes "Some patients do want very aggressive treatment to the end of life. Part of my journey as a physician was to learn not to judge others' choices. Some patients refuse to quit aggressive treatments because they are afraid of death. Some patients are in denial up until death but still do well psychologically by believing that will continue to live. Some patients want to show their family how much they love them by refusing to 'give up.' Stuart Scott, the sportscaster who recently passed away at a young age, pointed out that many good fighters die from cancer. 'When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live.' Mahatma Gandhi said, 'My life is my message.' Sometimes I believe that a fight to the end is a patient's message that as long as I have life in my body, I will endure and persevere." p. 174.
At the end of each blog he has questions for discussion and one question after this post is "What is your idea of a 'good death?' Frequently I've said 'Joanne died a good death.' She got much of what she wanted, time to say goodbye, responses from hundreds of her family and friends, she was at home, her family was with her, pain was managed and she was cognizant almost to the moment she died.
What is your idea of a good death?
Blessings,
Joanne is pictured in her chair with three of her nieces.
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