Observations of a Dying Patient

Tom covered many important thoughts in this recording. Here are a few so that you can understand how the video recording fits into this program: It was important for Tom to know his prognosis. He was glad that medically futile options were not offered. His first priority was to invite family and close friends to be with him. He believed that the most dangerous thing was to become isolated. Letters from friends and family affirmed that he had done a good job in life. Receiving help from his children reassured him that they will be OK. Pain is a problem, but hospice gives him just what he needs, not more or less. Suffering overlaps with pain and is evil. Suffering is being in pain and being isolated. You lose a little bit of yourself at a time until you have nothing. The battle is to have as much time as possible, to die well and move into the mystery. Physicians wear this armor under the scrubs. We put on too much armor. Physicians fail to take care of themselves and practice personal denial. Some physicians are on a crusade against disease and can’t let go. They often say: “We lost one today.” You didn’t lose one. You just came to the end of your work with one. Death is not like the dramatic portrayal of agony that we see in the movies. You sleep more. You are less present. Patients take a breath every once in awhile. You sit, watch and wonder if this one is it.