Monthly Archives: December 2014

butterfly flies and dies

Posted on December 16, 2014 by dgermann

The butterfly flies and dies falls and disintegrates smaller insects feast and eliminate earth is rejuvenated plants flourish and provide food we eat, we procreate, we die, after the butterfly wheels within wheels death but an arbitrary point life is … Continue reading →

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Do you picture yourself

Posted on December 16, 2014 by dgermann

Do you picture yourself again running a marathon, walking the entire grocery store, babysitting the grandchildren for a week? What is your most realistic recovery? :- Doug.

Posted in Conversation, Death and living while dying, Dreams, Family, Healing and Wholeness, Long-Term Care and nursing homes | Leave a comment

Don’t make your doctor your enemy

Posted on December 15, 2014 by dgermann

Don’t make your doctor your enemy—enlist your doctor to do what you want. :- Doug.

Posted in Conversation, Death and living while dying, Eldering, Emergency/Crisis Medical, Healing and Wholeness | Leave a comment

Death happens

Posted on December 15, 2014 by dgermann

Death happens Get ready :- Doug.

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Framework for the end of life conversation:

Posted on December 14, 2014 by dgermann

I have come to some framework for thinking about the end of life conversation: 1. we don’t know when death is approaching; 2. we never anymore reach the point of nothing more we can do; 3. having the conversation reduces … Continue reading →

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No inoculation against death

Posted on December 14, 2014 by dgermann

I cannot offer you an inoculation against death. But I do offer you an inoculation against the avoidable suffering of death. :- Doug.

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What I want for you:

Posted on December 13, 2014 by dgermann

What I want for you: 1. To have the conversation with your family; 2. To have the conversation with your doctor. :- Doug.

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How do we know when we are dying?

Posted on December 13, 2014 by dgermann

How do we know when we are dying? When ought we bring our 17 Things into play? Is it a per centage chance of survival? Is it time left? Is it when we don’t like the looks of life if … Continue reading →

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Never get to nothing more we can do

Posted on December 12, 2014 by dgermann

We are faced with a powerful combination—we don’t know when we’re dying; we never get to “nothing more we can do.” So we keep pushing the gas pedal. The brakes are not necessary: can’t we coast gently to rest? :- … Continue reading →

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Why at the end of life do we make poor decisions?

Posted on December 12, 2014 by dgermann

Why at end of life do we make poor decisions? There are several issues interrelated: 1. we don’t anymore know when someone is dying; 2. we want to hang on to life, but we have not thought about what living … Continue reading →

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We have tried this at home

Posted on December 11, 2014 by dgermann

We have tried this at home. The results have been pretty good. Let’s keep making better. :- Doug.

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The system fights love

Posted on December 11, 2014 by dgermann

The system fights back against love. Yet I tell you: we are the system. Moreover: we are the love. :- Doug.

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Alzheimer’s is not a solitary disease

Posted on December 10, 2014 by dgermann

Alzheimer’s is not a solitary disease It is the dis-ease of being made solitary :- Doug.

Posted in Aging, Caring, Eldering, Family, Healing and Wholeness, Long-Term Care and nursing homes, Poetry | Leave a comment

Love is not

Posted on December 10, 2014 by dgermann

Love is not What we think It is :- Doug.

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The words we lose

Posted on December 9, 2014 by dgermann

The words we lose The beauty we find The beauty takes away our breath :- Doug.

Posted in Aging, Poetry | Leave a comment

Unsafe for whom?

Posted on December 9, 2014 by dgermann

Unsafe for whom? The nursing home patient or the nursing home administration? :- Doug.