Monday, May 23, 2011

The Death Panels

I hate to bring these up again - but I am sure everyone remembers them and how Obamacare was going to create death panels to kill us all off. They kind of reminded me of something out of communist Russia or Hitler's Germany on getting rid of the undesirables.

Butwhat if they were good death panels and included:

- An oncologist to help weigh pros and cons of chemotherapy and other treatment
- Palliative care consultants to help understand the options regarding life support and make recommendations about pain control.
- A psychologist to advise on how to share the news with family members.
- A spiritual adviser, chaplain, minister or priest to offer comfort and prayer if wanted.
- A case manager to help organize transfer to the desired hospice.

I think I would want that kind of death panel. But mine would also include a caterer to plan my memorial service which would need to be catered by both a really good Jewish deli, a good Chinese restaurant for the appetizers, a sushi bar, and a high end seafood restaurant - I want a bash - and I want to be able to sample all the foods first.

I might also want a lawyer to flit on through and help me finalize my will and take care of all the legal crap.

What are the requirements for your death? Pain free? In your sleep? Not a lot of suffering? I think this kind of death panel would be very helpful.

I am not in any rush to go and right now am focused on living life to the fullest - and have a lot of fun along the way.

3 comments:

Cansirboi said...

My death panel would also need a caterer and would would like if the cook of the bash would have to compete on the Food Network show "Chopped" I do not know if you have ever sen it, but it is one of my favorites.

the thought of a death panel is an interesting one.

Trina said...

Hi Caroline, I'm a friend of David Chalk's and I saw your comment on his post, specifically about having thyroid cancer and breast cancer. I'm a 10 year thyroid cancer survivor and was just curious about your breast cancer. Did they think it was linked? Was it just random that you got both? Where you still getting any scans for Thyroid cancer recurrence? I hit the 10 year mark so basically they say there's nothing left to do but I worry about that. I had my last scan a year ago, but then it's only going to check for thyroid tissue growing. My greatest fear is it coming back somewhere else. I know early detection is key but not sure if there's anything else I should be doing. I'd love to email chat with you if you have time :-) Thanks! trinajonas@gmail.com

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