I really appreciate that you read these yourself Dr. Cifu. Having listened to you now for a while. It is very comforting and obvious that you have a caring compassionate take on all things medical, specifically the end of life. Thank you
Just because we can doesn’t mean we should or have to. There’s a pharmaceutical agent for every complaint but that doesn’t mean that it’s appropriate for the clinical picture. We should be learning from de-prescribing at end of life …. And, remain humble and respectful as we are consulted on the options available for the patient’s affliction. The final word is not ours.
I have come to respect Adam's medical perspectives as a retired physician of 78 years. I am curious that his patients and he do not seem to have spiritual curiosity or spiritual beliefs worth consideration. I spent much of my career in pediatric lung transplantation and made it clear at my entry level interview that I thought that family faith tradition and beliefs were very relevant and that I myself was/am a Christian. It opened up a level of potential communication and collaboration that I found deeply relevant and useful over time.
I wonder how these experiences affect you personally as I read…where and when will you draw your own line, and how have these experiences will have shaped that?
I remember the first kid who “gave up” in a group of “us” chronically ill kids who all knew each other on the ward on 7U at the Cleveland Clinic.
He had severe Crohn’s and was green and accepted his nickname “Yoda” with a laugh. He was the first of us to die. We were 12.
I’m in my 60’s now and have outlived many “death sentences” imposed by medicine, more correctly than not.
Last year was my first last straw; I was done and nearly ready to go. I don’t fear death at all, it’s coming for us all. If I fear anything, it’s losing my sobriety if I’m honest. I know how to treat that, and do it daily.
My own experiences, reading your patients’ experiences, and watching others has led me to the easiest prayer I have now, said when I finally gave up absolutely…
Thy will be done.
No negotiations; I’ll focus on the effort and let God take care of the results. I’ve never been more at peace. I always wish that for you, too, Adam! You remain a gift to us all who navigate our patients’ as well as our own journeys.
As you sit on your deer stand on a crisp morning, watching and hearing the woods come alive, we are amazed at the beauty of life and creation. In between the song birds calls, every so often and thankfully not very frequently, a crows scream breaks the silence in a dissonant tone. That is how life is. May we all have less crows to deal with as we head to the sunset of our days. In the meantime, enjoy the many blessings you encounter and be thankful for them.
I love your Friday articles and this was another nice one.
I really appreciate that you read these yourself Dr. Cifu. Having listened to you now for a while. It is very comforting and obvious that you have a caring compassionate take on all things medical, specifically the end of life. Thank you
Just because we can doesn’t mean we should or have to. There’s a pharmaceutical agent for every complaint but that doesn’t mean that it’s appropriate for the clinical picture. We should be learning from de-prescribing at end of life …. And, remain humble and respectful as we are consulted on the options available for the patient’s affliction. The final word is not ours.
I have come to respect Adam's medical perspectives as a retired physician of 78 years. I am curious that his patients and he do not seem to have spiritual curiosity or spiritual beliefs worth consideration. I spent much of my career in pediatric lung transplantation and made it clear at my entry level interview that I thought that family faith tradition and beliefs were very relevant and that I myself was/am a Christian. It opened up a level of potential communication and collaboration that I found deeply relevant and useful over time.
I wonder how these experiences affect you personally as I read…where and when will you draw your own line, and how have these experiences will have shaped that?
I remember the first kid who “gave up” in a group of “us” chronically ill kids who all knew each other on the ward on 7U at the Cleveland Clinic.
He had severe Crohn’s and was green and accepted his nickname “Yoda” with a laugh. He was the first of us to die. We were 12.
I’m in my 60’s now and have outlived many “death sentences” imposed by medicine, more correctly than not.
Last year was my first last straw; I was done and nearly ready to go. I don’t fear death at all, it’s coming for us all. If I fear anything, it’s losing my sobriety if I’m honest. I know how to treat that, and do it daily.
My own experiences, reading your patients’ experiences, and watching others has led me to the easiest prayer I have now, said when I finally gave up absolutely…
Thy will be done.
No negotiations; I’ll focus on the effort and let God take care of the results. I’ve never been more at peace. I always wish that for you, too, Adam! You remain a gift to us all who navigate our patients’ as well as our own journeys.
As you sit on your deer stand on a crisp morning, watching and hearing the woods come alive, we are amazed at the beauty of life and creation. In between the song birds calls, every so often and thankfully not very frequently, a crows scream breaks the silence in a dissonant tone. That is how life is. May we all have less crows to deal with as we head to the sunset of our days. In the meantime, enjoy the many blessings you encounter and be thankful for them.