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.

Ahrg. Day long. Had to write code. Test. Am braindead.

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

That cheese appears in Cracked's 6 Most Terrifying Foods! [link]

Ah. They don't do that anymore, do they?

When my grandmother was sick, about seven years ago, the doctor told my mom and dad that my grandmother had cancer, but also that they couldn't get her a bed in the oncology ward until morning (she was in the ER at the time), and so they should just tell her that the doctors needed to run more tests and she needed to wait. My parents were kind of uncomfortable with that, but they agreed to it. Then, about an hour later, some other doctor who'd never met her before told her she had cancer.

Timelies all!

Sleepy, as usual.

I believe that HIPAA prohibits talking to the family unless there is some sort of health care proxy, but almost every doctor visit asks you to fill out the health care proxy. I know it prohibits us from sending an email reminder of appointments for a travel health clinic without express written permission from the patient.

I should know better since I actually have to take a test on this every year, but I don't work in patient care, although I am technically an employee of a medical center.

EDIT: anecdotally, my grandma's doctor would not talk to anyone except her, even when she ran away claiming my mother was trying to poison her and that my mother had already killed my uncle (who was alive and well).