Living and Dying
Feb 2019
Talking about death and dying is like a taboo in medicine, so I do feel apprehensive when I take this on. However, I am more and more compelled to speak up as time goes on.
As a physician I have come to embrace my role in taking care of the living and dying.
While we spend so much time talking about living, not many if any talk about the process of dying.
Yes, I am not joking here. This is serious and I do this with the most compassion in my heart.
I want us all to take a moment today and think about how would we want to be treated when we are in the process of dying or transitioning or however you would want to think of this phase of our lives.
I realize everyday that our mind is a powerful God given super power, so I humbling request to not take my words as a narrow-minded and cold perception of life.
Perhaps think of this as an exercise where while you could think of your obituary (which is a commonly used motivational technique), think also about how would you want to be treated in those last moments.
Modern medicine has strived to be heroic. And we have been in the battle of health and disease for a while and while we save many lives, the casualties are not forgotten.
Every time I go to the hospital, I meet someone who has lived into their 80s - 90s and now presented to the hospital with a near fatal health problem and are being kept alive on life - support. Some get through this and some don't. Some go through several medications and surgeries before the "medical miracles" fail the human body.
I can't help but wonder if I am doing what this person would have wanted.
And also having the discussion with families about the poor prognosis and futility of all that we are doing only makes it even more trying. For one I know that no matter how much medical experience or knowledge one can acquire "death prognostication" is not my job. It's the creator who decides our life path.
Sometimes I wonder if we are interfering with the course of nature or God's will when keeping someone alive on life - support.
One thing is for sure miracles happen every day and we are all just pawns in God's greater plan.
All this understood. I also have seen families suffer and go through so much pain when they are put in a position to make decisions for their loved one.
It is my humble request to anyone who reads this, please sit down with your family and write down your wishes about how would want to be treated when you have a near fatal event in your golden years of life. Please help us treat you with the dignity and honor in your final moments. Please help us.
As a physician I have come to embrace my role in taking care of the living and dying.
While we spend so much time talking about living, not many if any talk about the process of dying.
Yes, I am not joking here. This is serious and I do this with the most compassion in my heart.
I want us all to take a moment today and think about how would we want to be treated when we are in the process of dying or transitioning or however you would want to think of this phase of our lives.
I realize everyday that our mind is a powerful God given super power, so I humbling request to not take my words as a narrow-minded and cold perception of life.
Perhaps think of this as an exercise where while you could think of your obituary (which is a commonly used motivational technique), think also about how would you want to be treated in those last moments.
Modern medicine has strived to be heroic. And we have been in the battle of health and disease for a while and while we save many lives, the casualties are not forgotten.
Every time I go to the hospital, I meet someone who has lived into their 80s - 90s and now presented to the hospital with a near fatal health problem and are being kept alive on life - support. Some get through this and some don't. Some go through several medications and surgeries before the "medical miracles" fail the human body.
I can't help but wonder if I am doing what this person would have wanted.
And also having the discussion with families about the poor prognosis and futility of all that we are doing only makes it even more trying. For one I know that no matter how much medical experience or knowledge one can acquire "death prognostication" is not my job. It's the creator who decides our life path.
Sometimes I wonder if we are interfering with the course of nature or God's will when keeping someone alive on life - support.
One thing is for sure miracles happen every day and we are all just pawns in God's greater plan.
All this understood. I also have seen families suffer and go through so much pain when they are put in a position to make decisions for their loved one.
It is my humble request to anyone who reads this, please sit down with your family and write down your wishes about how would want to be treated when you have a near fatal event in your golden years of life. Please help us treat you with the dignity and honor in your final moments. Please help us.
This is an interesting article Dr. Jas. I've (off-and-on) followed your Facebook postings. You have developed your business passion and ideas a lot from when I met you over a year ago, and I honestly must say, I would never imagine seeing you posting something of this nature. However, death is a reality. In many religions, it is often talked about, and when talked about, it is a mixture of warnings and glad tidings to their followers that our live in the material world is temporal, and life in it will inevitably end. Then there is the hereafter, on which I will not go into detail, as I do not want to go off-topic from the intent of this article on preparing for the inevitability and I don't want to turn this into a religious discussion.
ReplyDeletePlanning for these things, whether it is dealing with the estate of the deceased one to arranging their funeral and memorials, are critical things that cannot be mitigated.
Jas Bhullar When I met you at Lurn your sensitivity towards others was on display there. The short conversation that was had there showed me how much you care, you kept talking about your family and others. Reading your articles exposes you even more. Don't ever give up on looking into the plight of us all (DEATH). Death is an equalizer that could care less whether we are rich or poor, famous or nobody's, young or old, male or female, black or white, religious or not. Death is deeper than any ocean and higher than the highest stars. It's bigger than any one of us can explain, kind of like love and who can explain love? I think it's that way so that we will look to God for life and deaths ultimate answers. I love what you said in your other article about this because ultimately it's between them and what they believe.
ReplyDelete- asking if they are interested in my perspective
- asking them of their perspective about the problem at hand "to learn" their side of the picture.
- reminding them that no matter what I state, it is ultimately "their own will" which make most difference in their own lives.
May God richly bless you Jas Bhullar and keep you inquiring.
Brian R Heath