Dr Gawande: A Breath of Fresh Air
Tonight the Minnesota Network of Hospice and Palliative Care hosted a conversation with Dr. Atul Gawande with Minnesota Public Radio's Kathy Wurzer. Dr Gawande is a surgeon who discovered early in his tenure that the conversations he was having with his patients around their medical condition, options, and how to make decisions were ineffective and leaving him feeling at a loss for how to do better. As a result he began doing research and engaging his colleagues in the fields of Hospice and Palliative Care. Listening to Dr Gawande speak about his book "Being Mortal" was like drinking in a deep breath of fresh air.
It was refreshing to be able to hear someone discuss publicly so much of what we have learned though being Levi's parents. The importance of giving Levi his best day now. Having the grace to allow this definition to change over time, particularly when times are most hard. Being willing to have the difficult conversations about our values as parents and how we can translate them into medical decision making for our son. These include decisions about what to do / not to do in an emergency and at end of life. Trusting that talking about these things today matters and helps to create meaningful decision making each day.
We have found our Palliative Care team to be so skillful at guiding us through these conversations, helping us understand what options are available, what it means to give comfort-focused care, and supporting our choices along the way. They have taught us to trust that the more we talk about these things the less stressful they will become. The easier it will be to navigate an emergency for Levi or a shift into end of life.
"The conversation empowers people to draw the line in the sand about too many procedures. ...The conversation activates all of us." Dr Gawande
After the event it was a pleasure to be able have our copy of "Being Mortal" signed by Dr Gawande for Levi and to thank him for his important work.
What a surprise to be able to talk with Senator Franken again!! I got to introduce him to my husband (not pictured), my mother (left) and her friend (middle). What a treat!
Special thanks to Susan Marschalk (pictured), Executive Director of the Minnesota Network of Hospice and Palliative Care whose leadership, vision, tenacity, plus her board and staff who made this event possible. I am confident this event will change the conversation we are having in Minnesota about what it means for our children and adults living with life-limiting conditions to have "their best day."
Photos: Bruce Silcox Photography
