Rayne Johnson Death Midwife There was a time, not so long ago, that death was a natural part of living, and the dying came home to live out their end days. Family and loved ones were not only capable of managing the needs of their dying, but most [...]
Most people avoid death conversations like the plague. When I have the opportunity, I try to stir up conversations around the topic of death, dying and grief. I know most people prefer to talk about lighter things, but I find it fascinating how often people will engage in the topic [...]
How many of you remember cassette tapes where you could fast-forward through a song that you didn’t like and find the one you preferred to listen to over and over again? It was never easy to guess when to stop the fast-forward button, and so you would have to [...]
Advance Care Planning aka “Auntie Annie wanted chicken…” “What would happen if you had a sudden illness or injury and could not make your own decisions? How would your family, friends or health care team know your wishes? Who would speak for you? If you are unable to make medical decisions, [...]
Imagine: a teen in a high school guidance office is eagerly showing the counselor a pamphlet about nursing courses in the community college. You can see the excitement in the youngster’s face – new horizons, new adventures – it’s all there in black and white. They just need one more [...]
Yes, in 1975 nurses still wore caps. Forty years ago, as a new nursing grad I watched Karen, an experienced nurse on the oncology floor, sobbing in the nursing station, ” I’m just done – I can’t do this anymore.” Her 23-year-old patient had died – the second [...]
It was forty years ago, in a large downtown hospital that I worked my first Christmas Eve shift as a new nursing grad. As was the hospital tradition, a call went out during the night for nurses willing to sing carols strolling through the wards on Christmas morning . I [...]
The temperature is dropping, the snow is falling, and you’re dreading that loathsome winter disease – the common cold. You remember; the sniffing, coughing and heavy head that beg for decongestants, cough syrup, and boxes of tissues. You may not be able to cure the cold, but you’re willing to [...]
