Sure, but telling the relatives of a lucid patient things and not the patient herself seems... negligent.

This. And I actually thought they couldn't do that anymore, which is why doctors won't even leave phone messages with any info anymore.

When my Dad went into the hospital for the last time, he was unconscious at the time and my stepmother and sister put him on a respirator. I was pissed when I finally got there because I knew he didn't want that. Later, when they couldn't figure out exactly what was wrong with him (the shrapnel in his body made the MRI go all wonky), the doctor was giving us (pretty negative) forecasts of what might happen if he went off the respirator. When my sister started in with debating about "what to do", the doctor made it quite clear that, since my Dad was lucid, he was already informed of his condition and would be making whatever decision he chose.

Less than 2 hours until acupuncture! I need it now.

This. And I actually thought they couldn't do that anymore, which is why doctors won't even leave phone messages with any info anymore.

Yeah. I edited expoundingly.

Yeah, I'm not advocating withholding that information. I'm just saying what happened in the early 80s.

It might've been a factor that there weren't any decisions to be made in my mother's case. I mean, I guess we could've considered a respirator but that wasn't anything we were looking at. She was already at home with us receiving hospice care, and some palliative drugs. She was just dying.

Thankfully we haven't had to have the What To Do talk with Dad's doctors in the last 20 years. For his more recent hospitalizations he's either been lucid (and just needed Mom and me around to remember details of what the doctor told him), or he was impaired but not in a condition where there was any real threat to his life.

Well, I'm glad that we didn't have to make the decision, because that would have been a big fight. As it was, because she had no say in the matter, I was able to convince her to tell my Dad it was okay to disconnect if that's what he wanted.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to have this stuff written down and available in emergencies.

World's Deadliest Delicacies

I can't believe I'm whitefonting cheese. But it is gross.

One of the world’s few illegal cheeses, Casu Marzu looks scary, has an almost un-acquirable taste and may have catastrophic, long-term health results. The Sardinian delicacy is made from rotten goat’s milk and served coursing with live maggots. If you can handle the idea and tactile sensation of eating live larvae, you’re rewarded with a strong sour taste that can reportedly stay with you all day. Unfortunately, the human body has difficulty processing maggots, and in some extreme cases the little guys bore through the small intestine, causing bleeding, vomiting and other cheerful moments.

...

Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica. This bulbous-looking plant has the look and taste of scrambled eggs when cooked, and is often paired with stonefish and eaten as breakfast. But pray that breakfast comes at the right time—ackee can cause extreme nausea if served when it's not ripe enough, which occurs often enough for the condition to acquire the nickname "Jamaican vomiting sickness." It can be even fatal to children.

eta: [link] to get to the slideshow and the illegal cheese....

have this stuff written down and available in emergencies.

When my aunt had her stroke, one of her sons wanted to keep her on machines, etc. His brother,other relatives and I had to convince him not to. My aunt had said, frequently, she didn't want to ever be put on machines and even reserved the right to do herself in if she knew she was dying. He didn't put up a huge fuss, but it took him a day or so to come to terms with it. He didn't live in the area, so he didn't get to see his mother as often as the rest of us. Once he realized how serious we all were, he conceded. While it didn't cause any huge family dust-up, it definitely is something anyone should consider putting in writing, so there's absolutely no doubt.

Kristin! How are you feeling? Did you get any sleep?

Hey Tom! I slept for a few hours, which is helping. I definitely need to sleep more, but I'm feeling okay right now, thanks for asking. My last dose of meds is starting to wear off, so I may take the next set and sleep a bit more.

My life is so exciting.

This so reminds me of last year when my Drama students conceptualized an original musical called "F-you: the musical". One of the songs was entitled "Everybody Sucks (but you and me)".

I really need the lyrics of this song, and possibly an in-house recording.

I really need the lyrics of this song, and possibly an in-house recording.

I'll see what I can do about at least getting you a synopsis of the show and song titles.

It was one of those great things that reminded me of the fun that teaching high school can be.