Category Archives: Healing and Wholeness

Not a technician

Posted on February 11, 2013 by dgermann

I am not a technician. I’m a human-in-conversation. :- Doug.

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We have always faced the risk of dying prematurely—from heart attacks, road accidents, falls, animal attacks. But now we may live too long—with too much medical treatment, too much needless suffering from CPR, respirators, being strapped and tied to beds … Continue reading →

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News: More hospice, more ICU

Posted on February 6, 2013 by dgermann

Friends– We’re using both hospice and the ICU more at the end of life. Today there is an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association describing a study with these results. There is a more plain English description … Continue reading →

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On being a burden….

Posted on February 6, 2013 by dgermann

For most families you are being a burden if you deny your family the opportunity to care for you in your greatest crisis-time. :- Doug.

Posted in Aging, Caring, Death and living while dying, Emergency/Crisis Medical, Family, Healing and Wholeness, Long-Term Care and nursing homes | Leave a comment

“Directive” in “Advance Directive” says too much

Posted on January 26, 2013 by dgermann

The term “directive” in the phrase Advance Directives goes too far. First it seems obligatory, when what is going on is in the nature of a request: help me, use your best faculties to figure out what’s best for a … Continue reading →

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Death is not a failure

Posted on January 24, 2013 by dgermann

Death is not a failure. Death can be a coming home, or a relief, or an end of suffering. Death can be a culmination, a whole-making, a healing. Death can be a fulfilling. Death can be welcoming, friendly. Death is … Continue reading →

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We should all give up

Posted on January 23, 2013 by dgermann

If we think death is a failure we should all give up. :- Doug.

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Life is in the interruptions

Posted on January 16, 2013 by dgermann

Life is in the interruptions. :- Doug.

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A sacred/secret thing

Posted on January 13, 2013 by dgermann

Dying is a sacred secret thing :- Doug.

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Something good in their hearts

Posted on January 12, 2013 by dgermann

Humans don’t so much convey to people as from them: Family does not know what is best for their loved one; Still, they have —beneath their unbending positions— something good in their hearts We as helpers are called to go … Continue reading →

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Your heart, seasoned

Posted on January 11, 2013 by dgermann

Speak what is upon your heart, seasoned. :- Doug.

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The silent vow

Posted on January 9, 2013 by dgermann

Don’t put off “until the time” sharing what you want when seriously ill: if you can converse at that time, it may happen that no one will want to break the silent vow of “keep life going.” You can exercise … Continue reading →

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Before I go?

Posted on January 8, 2013 by dgermann

What is the most important thing I need to share with my family before I go? :- Doug.

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Too early–so far–not yet

Posted on January 7, 2013 by dgermann

Let us use phrases like too early—so far—not yet. It is compassionate. It says there is more good to come, more good for us to find. Together. :- Doug.

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

Dying slowly

Posted on January 6, 2013 by dgermann

Today we have all these chronic diseases. So we die slowly, over weeks and months and years. We are perhaps too early in this phase to realize that dying is a human event we must work with and care about. … Continue reading →

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The quality of our dying?

Posted on January 5, 2013 by dgermann

We speak of quality of life but do we ask What is the quality of our dying? :- Doug.

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Rest reflect renew

Posted on January 4, 2013 by dgermann

Rest reflect renew :- Doug.

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