Peaceful Dying
The step-by-step guide to
preserving your dignity, your choice, and your inner peace at the end of life
Daniel R. Tobin, M.D.
with Karen Lindsey
Perseus Books
1998, 208 pp.
with Karen Lindsey
Perseus Books
1998, 208 pp.
One consequence of the secularization
of modern society has been it’s relative unwillingness to approach the question
of death and dying and so it has remained quite a subject of taboo and denial.
Despite the theosophical movement's efforts to promote the concepts of karma and
reincarnation, it was not until people like Elisabeth Kübler-Ross,
M.D., who presented her concept of five stages of dying, that widespread
discussion of the problem got underway.
By 1998, when Dr. Daniel
Tobin’s book was published, there was already an extensive literature on the
subject, but comparatively little material dealing with the more practical
problems from the standpoint of the medical system. Much has been done since
then, but this groundbreaking book remains relevant and of great practical
value.This practical guide to planning end of life care is based on the
FairCare program for peaceful dying which Dr. Tobin developed at the V. A. Hospital in Albany,
New York.
One consequence of this
lack of awareness of the reality has been the often inhumane and insensitive
treatment of people with terminal illnesses in the health care system. Dr.
Tobin has had vivid practical experience with this stark reality, which
motivated him to develop a more humane, compassionate approach to end of life care.
As Tobin observes:
‘’I have great respect for
traditional medicine and its practitioners, the doctors and nurses whose lives
are spent trying to heal people. But the limitations of their training often
keep fine health care workers from being helpful to their dying patients. At
the same time, the public’s fear of dying and the tendency of many patients to
request drastic treatments in a vain effort to defeat death have created an unhealthy
situation. It is time for mainstream medicine to take on the work of meeting
the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of dying patients as part of
routine health care. It is my hope that the FairCare concepts will help bridge
the gap that so often exists between doctors and patients in end-of-life
situations. If this can be achieved, the living that you do throughout your
dying can be, if you let it, some of the most meaningful and joyful living you’ve
ever experienced. I hope this book helps you live that kind of dying’’
(Introduction, xiii).
‘’Perhaps the greatest
limitation of Western medicine has been its refusal to acknowledge the
inevitability and naturalness of death, and how important a part of life it is.
The passion to prolong life and to enhance it is wonderful, to a point. It is
probably responsible for most of the great advances of modern medecine. But when
it doesn’t take into account the simple fact that at some point life can’t,
and shouldn’t be prolonged, it creates, rather than alleviates,
suffering. If we in medicine cannot accept dying as a natural part of living
and embrace the dying process, we neglect people when they are most vulnerable,
most alone, and most desperately in need of love, comfort, and a very specific
kind of care. With the best of intentions, we sometimes inflict on our patients
treatments that are extremely painful, and we neglect their real needs’’ (p. 11).
Below is the list of 26
steps which are developed in the book, aimed which enable the dying person to
be more aware of what they are experiencing and thus to make more informed and
pro-active decisions in order to face the process of dying with more peace and serenity.
Part One: A Look at the Dying Process
1. Dying as a Natural Part
of Living
2. The Human Response to Dying
2. The Human Response to Dying
Part Two: The Steps of FairCare: Positive Living,
Peaceful Dying
3. Individuality of Disease, Individuality of
Choice
Step A: Recognizing
Individuality of Disease, Individuality of Choice
4. Taking Control of Your Life
Step B: Confronting,
Expressing, and Diminishing Fear of Dying
Step C: Slowing Down Time
and the Mind
Step D: Creating Positive
Days
5. Coming to Terms
Step E: Talking to Your
Doctor -- The Early Stages
Step F: Talking to Your
Family
Step G: Coming to Terms
with This Reality
Step H: Seeking Counseling
and Support
6. Practical Matters
Step I: Selecting Advance
Directives
Step J: Considering Other
Practical Concerns
7. Your Spiritual Destiny
Step K: Examining
Spiritual Views on Living and Dying
8. The Turning Point
Step L: Being Ready
Step M: Shifting to Care
Step N: Ensuring Your
Family Support
Step O: Talking to Your
Doctor Again
Step P: Dealing with the
Suicide Question
9. Preventing Pain and Isolation
Step Q: Deciding Where to
Die
Step R: Getting Relief for
Your Pain
Step S: Dealing with
Physical Changes
Step T: Nurturing Your
Body, Mind, and Spirit
Step U: Telling Your Story
10. Finding Peace
Step V: Embracing Love as the
Meaning of Life
Step W: Achieving Peace of
Mind
Step X: Helping Plan Your
Funeral or Memorial Service
Step Y: Preparing Your
Loved Ones for Their Bereavement
Step Z: Dying With
Tranquility
Appendices
Appendix 1: The FairCare
System and the Life Institute
Appendix 2: Summary of
FairCare Concepts
Appendix 3: Living Wills
and Health Care Proxy Forms
Appendix 4: Additional
Resources and Reading
No comments:
Post a Comment