While We're Still Here

Death with Dignity passed first in the state of Oregon. Ten states now have laws permitting medical aid in dying, or MAID. Several countries have also enacted policies for this.  This is a hotly debated and controversial topic. It is also a sensitive topic. Proceed with caution as you listen.  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere....

Whether your mother is alive or not, whether you have a good or poor or  no relationship with your mother, hopefully there is someone you can honor this Mother's Day.  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced...

You may know the Patient's Bill of Rights. The American Journal of Nursing from 1975 lists The Dying Person's Bill of Rights . I list them in this episode.  Death with Dignity is a law which several states have passed. This gives a terminally ill patient the opportunity to choose their time of death if they meet the criteria set forth by medical professionals and legal parameters. Stay t...

Seriously, how often do we consider this? How many times have we walked out the door without a thought of whether we actually would return? How many times have you watched someone you love go out for their day and wondered if that was the last time you would see them? My guess is 'not many'. Tear Alert Just so you know.... Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.c...

It's dying that scares me--a bit. The death itself, as I am learning, is rather peaceful as the body dies. My fear comes from not knowing how I will die, who will be around me, and whether I will have said all I want to say to those I care about most. There is a game out there to help ease my fears, and yours as well. Coda Alliance, a nonprofit whose motto is "Empowering easier, early, e...

Get information on advanced planning, advanced directive, caregiver support and education, and so much more from Doulagivers.com Free Resource Center for Family Caregivers.  Suzanne O'Brien, RN, founded Doulagivers and has educated hundreds of Death Doulas.  She recently announced that she will be holding a 90-minute training workshop for family caregivers. doulagivers.com Send a text Listen...

I was young when Jimmy Carter was President of the United States. I have seen news pieces over the years since his presidency about the work he continued to do around the world for peace and medical advances and much more. He was not a strong presence in my life but he is now, as he has chosen to come into Hospice care as his end of life approaches. He actually, for me, became a spokesman for Hosp...

Jared describes his work as a police chaplain on scene, side-by-side with cops, tending to the dead and the families left behind. Cops aren’t necessarily warm and fuzzy. What they see is tough stuff, no doubt.  Television and movies do not show us the reality of finding a body on scene. There is respect for the body while investigation is underway to when the body is transported away from the scen...

The 11th Hour is a time in a person’s life when death is imminent. The body dies when it is ready, and there is labor and work to prepare for the end of life. The changes the body goes through as it prepares to die can take weeks, days, hours, or minutes.  Sometimes people can control their end of life: waiting for that phone call, that visit, or to say words that have been too long in saying. Eve...

Have you sat vigil? If so, then you know the melancholy feelings, the sadness, and the joys and laughter of a happier time. I'm feeling melancholy today as I near my birthday and I reflect back as well as look forward to how years were spent compared to how I want my remaining years to be in the future. As long as we live, we get to think about how we will be different from this day forward,...

When a loved one dies, or when you die, did you know there will be at least 79  tasks related to the death that will need completion? I don't know about you, but when I am under stress or anxiety, I can feel frozen, not able to think as clearly or move as quickly than is typical for me.  Don't you love it when someone makes your life a bit easier? Mueller's Funeral Home sent me an u...

Sometimes games can elicit emotions that are difficult to explain or recognize. Men play sports like golf or jog together, side by side, and can share deeply their thoughts and dreams, etc. Women have heart-to-heart conversations usually facing one another. A game can be a safe distraction for folks, and when the talk is around end of life, a game that aids the conversation of dying and death is c...

Difficult conversations usually can be softened over a meal, by soft lighting, comfy seats, and a nice meal. deathoverdinner.org  figured this would be a great way to have this sometimes tough conversation. I explain the history of Death Over Dinner and walk you through how to plan your own Dinner.  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestil...

According to Barbara Karnes, RN, the dying are working as they prepare to leave this world. Take a listen as I try to capture a bit of the wisdom Barbara shared with Karen Wyatt, M.D. on the End of Life University podcast. Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting with Episode 56, the...

Want a method to help you lean into conversations about dying and death? One way is to use the resources found through The Conversation Project.  theconversationproject.org offers a guide to start thinking about your own end of life wishes and offers a starter kit to prepare yourself to begin the conversation. Use it for yourself. Give it to someone you love. We will go through the Starter Guide t...

https://lastactsoflove.com -No One Should Die Alone https://NOSDA.com -Compassion and Choices  https://www.compassionandchoices.org/ https://mydirectives.com Extremis movie Book: A Year to Live: How to Live This Year as If It Were Your Last by Stephen Levine Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still...

Ruth is a dear friend and I am honored to have her kick off this year of conversation. Ruth is a gem. I'm sure you will agree after listening to our conversation.  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and...

What?? Who "reads" podcasts and why would I say this? How would you feel if someone you follow in social media or podcasting, YouTube, etc, seemed to drop out of your feed, for no apparent reason at all? How would you know what happened to that person? I am considering making a podcast with a similar title. I also think this is a good reminder to stay in communication with the folks I lo...

I attended my first Death Café in 2012. I enjoyed the experience so much I continued to attend different Death Café meetings throughout San Diego. I became a host of Death Café in 2014.  Take a listen and see for yourself that talking about death and dying does not have to be scary. It may even be fun!    http://deathcafe.com Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reac...

We are at the beginning of a new year. I don't tend to make resolutions from year to year but for 2023 I do have some changes I'd like to make in my conversations. Have you been considering your end of life plan? We will be talking about the many avenues we can take in starting the discussion about our end of life. We will have interviews sprinkled throughout this year in addition to mor...

It's been several months since I began talking with you about end of life conversations. I've been preparing you for your opportunity to speak to those you love about your choices. Are you ready?  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting with Episode 56, the episode music wa...

I saw a decorated Christmas tree recently that shook me. I was moved. I took a photo of a flyer that hung on the wall behind the tree that described the tree and its purpose. To see a photo of the tree, check out https://grimtea.com , and click Blog in the menu or https://whilewerestillhere.com , and click on the Blog menu Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach m...

How can I not be a good listener when I've been told by so many what a good listener I am? This happened in a way I didn't consider until I started talking about how to derail a conversation. Listen in on my mistake. Reach me: kathy@whilewerestillhere.com https://grimtea.com Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Faceb...

What can stop heartful conversation in its tracks? We bring our history, perceptions, attitudes and judgments into conversation. If we are careful we can bring out the speaker's intentions by the way we listen and respond. When we are listening with judgment, attitude, impatience or hurt, the conversations don't often produce the results we had hoped to achieve. We are wrapping up listen...

When you have stuff to talk about but not people to talk about it with, whether because the stuff may be considered too heavy or serious or scary? The PEOPLE, the folks you can talk about anything with, who get you, whom you trust? Reach me: https://Kathy@whilewerestillhere.com https://grimtea.com Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillh...