What Do You Want Done When Your Check Engine Light Comes On?

Education, End of Life Care, Goals of Care, Planning

Imagine you take your car to the shop, it’s a good old car but lately it’s been stalling out occasionally, the check engine light comes on; something just isn’t right. The mechanic looks it over and tells you, it’s complicated, but he can fix it.  He gives you a list...

Not Ready To Die? Why Hospice May Be Exactly Right For You! (No Giving Up Required)

Education, End of Life Care, Hospice, Nurse's Corner, Uncategorized

One of the frequently required tasks of my job working for hospice is called the “informative” visit or “informational”.  These visits to patients and families are to explain the purpose and intent of hospice and how the services provided by...

How a Doula, a Plant and Compassion Could Change How You Die…

About The Business, Editorial & Opinion, End of Life Care, Medical Marijuana, Musings, Nurse's Corner, Personal Experiences and Reflections, Resources, Uncategorized

I work in several different capacities with patients nearing end of life here in Maine. While hospice is one of them – and a passion! – there is an ongoing shortage of hospice resources and issues with difficulty of delivery of services throughout the...

Please Stop Calling What We Do “Giving Up”

Editorial & Opinion, Education, End of Life Care, Inspirational

I sat across from my 10-year-old niece at dinner last night. It was New Year’s Day, a fresh year lays full of promise, a blank slate before us, and her tired face was a blessing to see.  She was exhausted from a cheerleading practice; she throws herself with such...

What Does It Mean When I Tell You I’m A Death Doula?

Editorial & Opinion, Education, End of Life Care, Musings, Personal Experiences and Reflections, Uncategorized

My name is Amanda Carr and I am a death doula.  Even my closest friends and colleagues don’t necessarily understand what that means though – so let me try to explain a bit better from *my* perspective. A longtime ER nurse, I’ve transitioned into doing...

Hello Death, My Old Friend, I’ve Come to Talk With You Again….

Editorial & Opinion, End of Life Care, Musings, Personal Experiences and Reflections, Uncategorized

We befriend endings when we realize we sit at a place where we cannot go on. It is our reality; not a single cell within us feels the ability to move ahead. But, without permission or even willing participation, we do. We find ourselves in an impossible duality of...