My Story I am not afraid of death. Or grief. I feel like I live between two worlds — the world of the grieving and the world that ignores death at all costs. My wife died suddenly of an unknown heart problem when I was in my forties. I went to work in the morning, […]
What is a POLST form? The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form is an advance directive-like, portable form used in many states across the US. Over a year ago, it was made legal for use in Illinois. The form allows for patients with their doctor’s input to put their end-of-life decisions into medical orders […]
Connie Dullard of Morton has long been a champion of advance care planning, and her children have long known her wishes about what life-sustaining treatments she does and doesn’t want. So she was shocked when a staff member at Illinois Lung & Critical Care Institute mentioned she had no advance directives in her electronic medical […]
It’s that time of year again! National Healthcare Decisions Day will be on Wednesday, April 16 this year so we are bringing back our special NHDD Twitter chat! On Wednesday, April 16, from 6 to 7 p.m. CST, our very own Dr. Robert Sawicki, Senior Vice President of OSF Supportive Care, will be answering questions […]
Editor’s Note: Names and details in the following caregiver story have been altered to protect patient privacy. My involvement with this patient’s care began after his surgery, after he was unable to breathe without a ventilator. Tom was a 69-year-old man who had lived a very active life. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and spending […]