Though death is an ultimate reality of life, no amount of preparation can help us overcome the void that occurs with the death of our loved ones. The eventual shape that mourning takes is colored by the emotional connection we sustained with that person. […]
The Iceberg- Marion Coutts This book is a compelling and moving day-to-day account of the physical and emotional impact of a close family member becoming terminally ill. The writer has beautifully constructed a moving narrative, baring all her emotions and thoughts over a three-year journey as her husband dies with incurable cancer. […]
Physician-Assisted Death in the Renal Unit? A special four-part series on the various struggles physicians face with the legalization of Physician-Assisted Death. PART FOUR In Conversation with Drs Rauf Sirman, Sonu Gaind and James Downar The series ends with a discussion between presenters Drs Rauf Sirman, Sonu Gaind, and James Downar and the audience comprised of community/academic [...]
Physician-Assisted Death in the Renal Unit? A special four-part series on the various struggles physicians face with the legalization of Physician-Assisted Death. PART THREE Physician-Assisted Death in Canada: Where We Are, Where We Are Going Presented by Dr. James Downar Dr. Downar expands upon Dr. Gainds lecture by exploring the various infringements in mental illness brought up in [...]
Physician-Assisted Death in the Renal Unit? A special four-part series on the various struggles physicians face with the legalization of Physician-Assisted Death. PART ONE Withdrawal from Dialysis: The HRH Experience Presented by Dr. Rauf Sirman Dr. Sirman presents the psychiatric cases of two renal patients. He describes the psychic makeup of a renal patient requesting dialysis cessation, and [...]
A poem by Linda L. Dowd R.N. Reeling images of long ago are cascading through my mind, Picture-perfect in retrospect, ~ Memories intertwined. I pay no heed to pains of past, nor to regrets or sorrows, For they'd impinge upon todays and darken my tomorrows. I fill my mind with pleasant thoughts, [...]
Do aging couples impact each other’s physical and mental well being? Studies show that as we age in relationships, we become more biologically attuned to our partners. Sharing an environment and making cooperative lifestyle decisions can lead to a couple experiencing similar emotional and physical health effects that manifest themselves as biological similarities. These similarities [...]
With the recent legalization of physician-assisted death in Canada, what’s next? The legislation of physician-assisted death has Canadian provinces and territories scrambling to formulate the legal rules and regulations for providing this care. Health care professionals are committed first and foremost to improving and maintaining their patients' quality quantity of life, which poses serious concerns around the philosophical, [...]
By Linda L. Dowd RN Whenever my health issues begin to overwhelm me, I sing the lyrics from the movie "Annie" ~ "The sun will come out tomorrow..." I have always been of the mindset that even behind the darkest clouds the sun is shining. I am a believer in the validity of many sayings ~ [...]
The role of the caregiver can be quite onerous, supporting and advocating for a loved one without pause. These activities can become very tiring, without necessarily receiving the reciprocal support which would refuel an individual. As well, there may be feelings of guilt in being the healthy one, with no room for voiced complaints. This [...]
The Canadian Association of Nephrology Dietitians (CAND) just released a renal cookbook that both patients and clinicians will find very helpful. CAND's Kidney Friendly Cooking cookbook is a collection of 192 recipes written by a team of renal dietitians and is designed for use by people at all stages of kidney function. The introduction provides a description of the elements of a [...]
Informal caregivers refer to friends and family who provide support to individuals that are unable to function independently. There are at least 8.1 million Canadians providing care to family and friends with long term health conditions, disabilities or aging needs. These informal caregivers account for over $25 billion in unpaid labor to the health care [...]
Living day-to-day with dialysis creates a “new normal”, coloured by intense experiences of isolation, depression, and anger. Angela L. Davis started on thrice weekly hemodialysis in January 2008. In her eloquent post, Ms. Davis discusses her struggles with isolation brought on by the loss of friends and the body changes associated with illness. She also [...]
