An article published May 15th in the Chicago Tribune alerted us to findings from a study released by the American Society of Clinical Oncology that most doctors don't discuss death ... Read More

We often think of "healing" and "curing" as coexisting. It is, however, possible to heal in the absence of a cure. An article published in the May 28, ... Read More

This is the generation of "sandwich" care. As the baby boomers continue to live longer with more chronic illnesses, those nearing retirement age are finding themselves caregivers of their ... Read More

When you're a patient with a chronic or life-limiting illness it can seem like all anyone is interested in is your poop. Every physician, nurse, and home health aide ... Read More

I come from family of "dreamers". It began with my grandma and the "gift" has been passed down to at least two of my aunts and a few cousins. ... Read More

Too many times I've had patients tell me that dying makes them feel "worthless" and "undignified". They feel like their life has lost it's meaning. Everything that defined who ... Read More

Doctors announced Tuesday that Senator Edward Kennedy has a malignant brain tumor. The tumor is a malignant glioma located in the left parietal lobe, the upper left portion of ... Read More

I am continually blown away by the members of the palliative care forum. People who have lost their parents, spouses, children, friends, and other family members reach out for ... Read More

We've been hearing more talk recently of the medications being found in our water supplies; drugs from aspirin to Zoloft have been detected. How are they getting there? ... Read More

There are many causes of dementia. Some are reversible and will be ruled out before the more serious, irreversible causes are diagnosed. If your loved one is diagnosed ... Read More

The March/April edition of Caregiver Magazine ran an interview with Richard M. Cohen, an Emmy award winning television producer and best-selling author, and his wife Merideth Vieira, co-host of ... Read More

On Mother's Day, we honor our mother's and give thanks for all they've done for us, whether they are still with us or have already passed on. Mother's Day ... Read More

Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 11th. It's a day when we honor our mother's and show our appreciation for all they do for us. Mother's Day can ... Read More

A May 5th article in the New York Times shared with us the concept of "slow medicine". It's essentially when a patient at home or a nursing home chooses ... Read More

On May 5th, the New York Times introduced us to John C. Welton, a physicians assistant at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. Mr. Welton is a polio ... Read More

Many of you are familiar with Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon professor diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006. I first shared his story with you in a March blog. ... Read More

The topics covered by About.com's family of guides is expanding weekly. Good news for the millions of people suffering with chronic pain. About.com welcomed Erica David, MD, a ... Read More

May 6th is National Nurses Day, kicking off National Nurses Week that ends on May 12th, Florence Nightingale's birthday Take the opportunity this week to let the nurses in ... Read More

An article in the Washington Post last week brought to our attention the ethical dilemma that left-ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are creating in end-of-life care. The LVAD pump is ... Read More