Pneumonia

Severe pneumonia in an 88 year old ICU patient.

Note the diffuse haziness in all lung fields. This is easily one of the worst cases of pneumonia I've seen on x-ray.
Unfortunately, the pt died 12 hours later. He had chosen a few years ago not to be placed on a ventillator if he was seriously ill, so we followed his wishes and provided comfort-care with all of his family at the bedside.


Have you ever thought about making an advanced directive to let others know about how you wish to be treated if something catastrophic were to happen?


http://www.caringinfo.org/stateaddownload/

Guinea Pig

Death is a hard thing to cope with. Realizing that someone you love has only a limited time left to live is equally as hard.
People try to deal with it in many different ways, and Julie Staub chose to express her feelings through poetry.
I heard Garrison Keillor read this on the radio today. I've pasted the words below, but I suggest you listen to him read it. Come on-- do it. It won't take long.

Just click play below and scroll to the 3minute 57second mark.

On second thought, that might be a lot of work so I guess I'll let you get away with reading it on your own if you want...

Guinea Pig
by Julie Cadwallader-Staub

As if your cancer weren't enough,
the guinea pig is dying.
The kids brought him to me
wrapped in a bath towel
‘Do something, Mom.
Save his life. '

I'm a good mom.
I took time from work,
drove him to the vet,
paid $77.00 for his antibiotics.

Now, after the kids rush off to school,
you and I sit on the bed.
I hold the guinea pig, since he bites.
You fill the syringe.
We administer the foul smelling medicine,
hoping the little fellow will live.

admitting to each other:
if he doesn't,
it'll be good practice.


"Guinea Pig" by Julie Cadwallader-Staub. Reprinted with permission of the poet.