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Dog Rescue: Is it Right for You?
Ever had a hankering for a certain breed of dog? Not an obsession, mind you – not the sort of longing that would send you rushing to a breeder, thousand-dollar-bill in your sweaty palm – but just a gentle appreciation for the virtues of the...
Feng Shui Monsters Under Your Bed
Good feng shui often requires making wise decisions based on your specific circumstances, rather than blinding following an ideal rule. The feng shui rule for storing things under your bed is "don't do it." But for those who live in small homes...
MOSQUITOES ARE A HAZARD TO YOUR PET'S HEALTH TOO
None of us likes to be bitten by mosquitoes and sometimes it is easy to forget that our pets suffer from mosquito bites too. Mosquitoes feed on blood, and they will take it where they can find it. Only the female bites, the males feed on plant...
Raising a Self-Sufficient Teen
Teens don't learn responsibility overnight. If you haven't been working with your teen on gradually giving them a sense of independence and ownership of their lives, then you're going to have your work cut out for you. Don't wait until it's too...
Unique Ideas to Celebrate Valentines Day this Year
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ...
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Terri Schiavo's Gift
Terri Schiavo's Gift By Vicki Rackner MD
Terri Schiavo and her family have given us a gift. They remind us that planning for your death is your final act of love.
For the past few weeks, we have witnessed painful lessons we would prefer to ignore. Death is a part of life. Tragic medical events befall even young people, often at unexpected times. And difficult decisions accompany the final days of life.
When you enter the medical system, your job as a patient is to make choices. The process, called informed consent, involves weighing the risks and benefits of one intervention and comparing it with alternatives. While these are called medical choices, they are really personal choices, reflecting your values, preferences and spiritual beliefs. That’s why, according to US law, medical ethics and common decency, you as the patient are the one who chooses.
You always have the option of choosing no treatment at all. Our law states that a competent adult has the right to refuse treatment even if it means that he or she will die without it.
One day you may not be in a position to make choices for yourself. The medical and legal systems have provided mechanisms to guide the decisions you would make for yourself - if you could.
This is a good time to complete and sign two important legal documents: your *advanced directive,* sometimes called a *living will,* and a durable power-of-attorney. The advanced directive outlines your wishes for medical treatment. Give your doctor a copy and take it with you should you enter the hospital. Let your family know where this document is. You can also assign a durable power- of- attorney form that identifies the person who will make the choices for you, if you become unable to make them yourself.
The papers summarize important conversations you need to have with
your doctor and with those you love. Give those who will make choices as clear a roadmap as possible.
You will be asked to make choices for others you love, like your parents. This is a good time to approach them with this delicate conversation. Say, *Mom and Dad, I’m so happy that you’re in good health. It’s painful to even consider your final days. I love you and want to make sure your wishes are honored, even if you can’t state them yourself. If you cannot speak for yourself, who would you like to speak for you? What would you want if you were in Terri Schiavo’s condition?*
If you find yourself in a position of making choices for someone you love, remember this. Your job is not to make the choice you think is best. Your job is to make the choice you think your loved one would make for himself or herself.
You can honor Terri Schiavo’s life and legacy by planning for your own death. Hopefully you will die in peace and comfort, surrounded by those you love. By communicating your end-of-life wishes in advance, you offer a gift to those you leave behind. And in deciding how to die, may you get a renewed vision of how you want to live.
Copyright (c) 2005 Vicki Rackner, MD. All rights reserved.
Get the tools to live a healthier live and bounce back from illness more quickly in Dr. Vicki's teleclass series "The Healthy Way to be Sick." For more information visit: http://www.medicalbridges.com/registration.html
About the Author
Vicki Rackner, MD, president of Medical Bridges, is a board- certified surgeon who left the operating room to help employees become active participants in their health care. She is a consultant, speaker and author of the *Personal Health Journal*,and author/editor of *Chicken Soup for the Healthy Heart Soul*. Dr. Rackner can be reached at http://www.MedicalBridges.com or (425) 451-3777.
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AVMA Care for Pets Home Page |
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PETS 911 pet adoptions thru local animal shelters |
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Most of us think of adopting pets for all the wrong reasons.. as a ... Pets has a way of listening without judging and loving its owner unconditionally. ... |
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Mara Pets Games - Play Free Flash Games, Dress Up Games and ... |
Mara Pets Games is a free virtual pet site with fun flash games and character dress up games. Three new games weekly! |
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Canada's pet information center for dogs cats and humans |
Canadian pet information centre, featuring articles, bulletin board, dog breed profiles, cat breeds, and ask the vet sections. |
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