The Massachusetts Medical Society, anticipating attempts to decriminalize physician assisted suicide, voted overwhelmingly to affirm its opposition to physician assisted suicide as well as its embracing of the principles of palliative care and patient dignity. Lynda Young, M.D., president of the Society, said that “Physicians of our Society have clearly declared that physician-assisted suicide is […]
physician’s role as healer … Read More »
Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune—without the words, And never stops at all, And sweetest in the gale is heard; And sore must be the storm That could abash the little bird That kept so many warm. I’ve heard it in the chilliest land, And on
hope … the thing with feathers … Read More »
Coulehan discusses hope, especially in the context of hospice and palliative care… “Studies of terminally ill patients have demonstrated clusters of personal and situational factors associated with enhancement or suppression of hope at the end of life. Enhancing factors included interpersonal connectedness, attainable goals, spiritual beliefs and practices, personal attributes of determination, courage, and serenity,
hope … a song without words … Read More »
When confronting serious medical decisions our attitude should be one of openness and wonder in front of a Mystery greater than ourselves. We set aside preconceptions and attend to the person in need as well as those who are serving him (doctors, nurses, chaplains, others). As we journey together, we weigh the burdens and benefits
Elegy I open the first door. It is a large sunlit room. A heavy car passes outside and makes the china quiver. I open door number two. Friends! You drank some darkness and became visible. Door number three. A narrow hotel room. View on an alley. One lamppost shines on the asphalt. Experience, its beautiful
drinking the darkness … Read More »
“The ability to interact effectively with angry patients is a skill that is often learned with experience and is extremely useful in both transforming the patients’ reaction into a more creative emotion and in developing a therapeutic relationship … Almost always, anger will resolve if the patient is given time, respect, clear information and consistency
anger … blame or need? Read More »
Chris Bacich, US responsible of Communion & Liberation, describes two experiences that underline the importance that awe in front of the mystery of reality takes precedence over our own thoughts and schemes … The first is about the sudden death of young people. The second relates a conversation with don Giussani about an episode in the
beginning from wonder … Read More »
… not that God became a man … but that he became a baby. “We all know the strength of presence and love. At night in our homes, being alone makes us afraid. Having a loved one there ― any loved one ― gives us courage. In our families, being in the presence of love,
the great mystery of Christmas … Read More »
“The Gospel is right, however, when it dares to speak to us of the value of suffering and affliction. We realize this as soon as we have the courage to face the concrete reality of our lives. They are a strange mixture of sorrow, pleasure and pain, success and suffering, life and death. When we
blessed are those who mourn … Read More »
