Monday

For many people, end of life decisions are difficult. I was so fortunate that both my parents made their end-of-life decisions much sooner than was necessary. Both were some of the first to get a living will when they were recognized. They did a pre-burial plan where everything was set and paid for before they were gone. I know this is a little morbid for many, but it really makes it easier when the time comes. We knew my dad did not want to be kept alive on machines when there was no hope of recovery. My mother asked her doctor for a DNR tag about five years before she passed. The doctor made her wait almost three months before signing it. My mom had a talk with me a few months before passing, reminding me that she had lived a good life and was ready for the next step. When it was clear that my father would not recover, and we met with the doctor, all three of us simultaneously agreed to turn off the machine. When the time came for my mother, my brother and I agreed with no question. Many years ago, a friend and co-worker was not so well prepared. Her husband had shot himself in the head. Maybe an accident, maybe not. When the doctors had the end of life talk, he was brain dead. He had not made any preparation for this. He was only 31. His parents and his wife met with the doctor. It took two weeks before the mother would agree. It was very hard on the wife, the parents, and the three small kids. That’s when I got a living will. I wanted to be sure that everyone knew my wishes.

It turns out that under the current Medicare, the end of life discussions with the family or the patient are not covered by Medicare. I’m sure the doctors have a way of billing so they bet paid. Obama’s reform wants to make these discussions happen every five years with elderly patients. It is NOT a mandate, it just allows the doctor to bring it up and get paid. The patient is free to say “No thanks”. I must admit, if the discussions start at 65, it will be very scary. I really don’t want to be reminded that I am not going to live forever. However, I know it will be important for my doctor to know what I want. I don’t want my brother, or someone else having to guess what I want. When asked the first time, I’m sure there are people who will say they want everything done to keep them alive forever. I have seen way too many die as a disease has taken everything they were. At some point, they all have said ‘no more’. Somehow, the idea that doctors will get paid to have these discussions has been turned around to be ‘death squads’ by Conservatives. Palin used the term and then pulled back. Not soon enough as the fear she spread made headlines with many conservatives. Once it hit the internet, ‘death squads’ now have a life of their own. No matter what the facts are.

All I can say is that I believe it is important that I have a say in what is done to my body. I expect my brother to carry out my wishes. No guilt to him if he is doing what I want. Even if he has other beliefs, when it comes to my life, it should be my decision. It is much easier to talk about these decisions while healthy than when in a situation where you might not be able to express your desires. “Death squads’ are a fear tactic. Giving your wishes to your doctor and to your family only makes sense.

Last night was cool, down to 41° and tonight should be about the same. These ‘cool summer nights’ are just a tad too cool. The high of 85° was nice. Only a slight breeze was nice. Having to close windows at night is not nice. I like the fresh air coming in. It can’t last forever and winter is still a long way off.


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Random Facts…

The ancient Egyptians bought jewelry for their pet crocodiles.

Astronauts cannot burp in space. There is no gravity to separate liquid from gas in their stomachs.

Crazy Stuff In The News…

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho - Officials at an Idaho zoo said they nearly had to X-ray an entire flock of pelicans when visitors reported one of the birds had swallowed a cell phone. Zoo keepers at the Tauphaus Park Zoo in Idaho Falls said visitors reported seeing the pelicans tossing a cell phone back and forth until one of the birds eventually swallowed the object whole, KIDK-TV, Idaho Falls, reported Thursday. “Luckily the bird regurgitated it so it wouldn’t harm him. We just need folks to be really cautious when they’re in the zoo and remember that they’re guests in the animals homes and they need to keep their personal belongings as close to them as possible,” zoo superintendent Bill Gersonde said. Gersonde said all of the
pelicans now appear to be in good health.

Month long events in August

Edinburgh Festival is an internationally famous arts festival that takes place during August National Immunization Awareness Month… National Psoriasis Awareness Month… Women's Small Business Month... National Back to School month…American Adventures Month…Golf Month…National Inventor’s Month…National Win with Civility Month…What will be your legacy Month

Week of Aug 9…

Assistant Dog Week
National Resurrect Romance Week

10 Aug…

223 days so far this year…142 days remain in 2009
President’s Joke Day
*Chad: Independence Day—from France—1960
*Jordan : Coronation Day/Accession of King Hussein


BIRTHS ON THIS DAY…

1778….. Friedrich Ludwig Jahn founder of turnverein (gymnastics) movement

1833….. Robert Green Ingersoll NY, author/politician/agnostic
1892….. Hugh MacDiarmid Scotland, writer (Scots Unbound)

1921….. Alex Haley US, author (Roots)
1924….. Arlene Dahl Minneapolis Minnesota, actress/TV panelist
1925….. Mike Douglas Chicago Ill, talk show host
1926….. Claus Von Bulow accused of murdering his wife
1933….. Jerry Falwell televangelist, Moral Majority head
1947….. Jeff Hanna singer/guitarist (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band)
1950….. Steve Wozniak cofounded Apple Computer
1953….. Hulk Hogan [Terry Bollea], Ga, WWF heavyweight champion

Events on this day…

3114 B.C. ….. According to some Maya sources, the present creation takes place. Other sources say this happens on August 12th or 13th. It will end on December 21, 23 or December 24, 2012

1841….. Fugitive slave Frederick Douglass, soon to be a well-known orator, speaks before a mostly white abolitionist meeting for the first time on the Massachusetts island of Nantucket.
1860….. Nation's 1st successful silver mill (Virginia City, Nev)
1866….. World's 1st roller rink opens (Newport, RI)

1909….. SOS 1st used by an American ship, Arapahoe, off Cape Hatteras, NC
1934….. 1st federal prisoners arrive at Alcatraz in SF Bay
1924….. The first newsreel pictures of U.S. presidential candidates were taken -- in Washington, DC.
1929….. Babe Ruth became the first player in the history of baseball to hit 500 home runs.
1956….. Abstract painter Jackson Pollock dies at the age of 44
1965….. Race riots begin in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles
1968….. It was the start of National Apple Week in England. The Beatles launched their new record label, Apple.
1991….. The 911 emergency number, which brings police and paramedics to the sick or injured person’s side is being pioneered
1992….. The Mall of America opened in Bloomington, Minnesota.
1998….. British Petroleum announced it was buying/merging with Amoco Corp. of the U.S





Word Ends Puzzle:

In each of these puzzles, a word starts and ends with the same letter. Can you figure out what the word is?

Example: _fric_ Solution: Africa

1. _hwar_
2. _ogna_
3. _uzza_
4. _arach_
5. _umul_
6. _eart_
7. _icku_
8. _ios_
9. _vad_
10. _zale_
• Bonus: _asba_

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Answers:
1. thwart
2. cognac
3. huzzah
4. earache
5. tumult
6. hearth
7. pickup
8. kiosk
9. evade
10. azalea
• Bonus: gasbag


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