End of life decisions

Jane Gross of the New York Times, continues her excellent blog on aging, with which she frequently reflects on her own mother's aging, final illness, and death. This entry is indicative of her series, both in its personal dimension and in the useful information provided.

Gross shares the process of her mother's decisions and actions just before her death:

She often longed for the oblivion of Alzheimer’s disease. But her sharp mind — she never skipped a beat — entitled her to organize her own death, within legal limits, which she did by deciding to stop food and hydration. We had discussed and researched this option, and we had read enough to be reasonably confident this manner of dying was not a frightful ordeal but rather a gentle death. We trusted that an enlightened nursing home like the one she was in wouldn’t force her to eat and drink. They had readily accepted earlier decisions to forgo diagnostic tests or hospitalizations, and later antibiotics for pneumonia.

Our study of what is known as V.S.E.D., or “voluntarily stopping eating and drinking,” was impressive for amateurs, if I do say so myself. My mother had a pretty good death, on her own terms, and we had the nursing home’s full support. I’m proud and grateful to have been able to advocate for her and to have been by her side.

The end of life process will only continue to get more attention as hospice and palliative care programs expand and become better known. Also, advance directives for health care and good powers of attorney for health care can undergird a person's decisions, even when the person is not capable of expressing his or her wishes at the time.

(Photo by mike 23; used by permission.)

We love our pets... part five

If you need something to lighten your mood, or if you want to see what some people do when they have more time or money than most of us, check out the doghouse designs featured in the L.A. Times. The gallery of photos is entitled "Dogitecture."

Many designs parallel human residential styles: modern, country, green. The photos with dogs are the best, such as the big house with the little dog, the dog lying on the roof of the doghouse, and, my favorite, the St. Bernard in front of the Swiss chalet.

We love our pets--part four

Divorcing and pet custody?

Earlier this year, the Santa Barbara Independent ran this piece on divorce, pet "custody," and hints on prevailing in court on the subject.

A man famous for his amnesia passed away

Last week Henry Gustav Molaison, known to his medical and scientific observers as H.M, died at age 82. At age 27 Molaison was the subject of surgery to treat severe seizures he experienced, but ultimately the surgery left him with amnesia--he could not remember anything beyond selected memories of his pre-surgery life.

Here's a snippet from the New York Times obituary for him:

For the next 55 years, each time he met a friend, each time he ate a meal, each time he walked in the woods, it was as if for the first time.

And for those five decades, he was recognized as the most important patient in the history of brain science. As a participant in hundreds of studies, he helped scientists understand the biology of learning, memory and physical dexterity, as well as the fragile nature of human identity.

From the Times account, it seems that he led a pleasant, if not traditionally fulfilling, life.

In conjunction with noting Mr. Molaison's death, Slate.com offered a brief explanation of amnesia, including this description:

There are two main types of amnesia: retrograde and anterograde. Retrograde means you lose your memories from before the surgery, injury, or whatever incident caused the memory loss. . . . Anterograde means you lose the ability to form new memories but can still recall things from before the inciting event. That was the case with H.M., who could remember scattered childhood memories.

(Photo by erat; used by permission.)

Pearl Harbor anniversary

The anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor was December 7, and the Honolulu Advertiser had this piece about the annual remembrance and the dwindling number of veterans who were there. Most surviving veterans are in their eighties and nineties, and the last official reunion was held in 2006.

Here are comments from one of the veterans at the remembrance:

"I feel very proud that I've survived," said [George] Smith, of Washington. "I'm very honored by all these people. I'm no hero. I was simply doing my duty."

In a related anniversary, on December 18, 1944, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Korematsu v. U.S., which upheld the racially discriminatory Japanese interment camps during World War II. Here is a link to the ABA Journal's short piece on Korematsu.

(Photo by Andrew Shimabuku / The Honolulu Advertiser.)

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

December 3 is the United Nation's International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This year's theme is "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Dignity and justice for all of us."

Slate.com offers this incredible photo gallery of persons living with various disabilities--truly a testimony to the power of the human spirit.

(Photo by Dan Kamminga; used by permission.)

New link: Exceptional Parent

Check out the Exceptional Parent website for numerous resources for parents and family members of those with disabilities. I have added the link to the list on the right.

To access articles or information, you need to register, but it is simple and free. In addition, you can see topics covered in the print version of the Exceptional Parent magazine, and you can subscribe or order individual copies.

Mental perception can be "fooled"

A fascinating piece on psychology and mental perception appeared in the New York Times.

"[N]euroscientists have shown that they can make [mental roleplaying exercises] physical, creating a “body swapping” illusion that could have a profound effect on a range of therapeutic techniques. At the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience last month, Swedish researchers presented evidence that the brain, when tricked by optical and sensory illusions, can quickly adopt any other human form, no matter how different, as its own."

The end result, through special camera-equipped goggles, creates an alternate point of view by fooling the brain into "inhabiting" the body of another.

(Photo by reportergimmi; used by permission.)

Can surrogacy ever go "mainstream"?

Recently, the New York Times magazine told the story of a woman whose child was carried by a gestational surrogate.

In expressing her conflicting emotions, the author writes, "It was a desperate measure, to be sure, and one complicated by questions from all the big sectiors: financial, religious, social, moral, legal, political."

Even amidst her mix of feeling inferior and feeling elated, the new mother shares her joy of participating in the miracle of life: "The miracle of [our son's] existence speaks to the generosity of humanity--and to the magical, unified coordination of more than a dozen people in the act of his creation."

Earlier this year, Newsweek reported about military wives who become surrogates for numerous reasons, including the extra income.

(Photo by anyjazz65; used by permission.)

Father Damien's leper colony has come a long way

In 1873, Father Damien, a Belgian priest, arrived in Hawaii to begin a mission for those permanently exiled from society, patients suffering from leprosy, now known as Hansen's disease.

As the New York Times reports, a community of patients remains in the village on Molokai where the mission began. "Today, just 24 patients are left: 24 people who experienced the counterintuitive twinning of loneliness and community, of all that dying and all that living. Here, you may have grieved over the forced surrender of your newborn; you may also have rejoiced in finding a life partner who understood. "

The story of the survivors is a testament to their dignity, which was first championed by the nineteenth century missionary who lived, served, and died among them.