| Description |
xviii, 301 pages ; 25 cm |
| Contents |
Pt. 1. The imprint a body makes -- 1. Last hours -- 2. This is the news -- 3. A baby and a basketball game -- 4. A dog is better than a pill -- 5. So much potential -- Pt. 2. Not an emergency -- 6. What is a crisis? -- 7. Possible paths -- 8. Still alive -- 9. Mysteries of life -- 10. Two visions -- Pt. 3. Heal thyself -- 11. Doctors' beginnings -- 12. "Take five years" -- 13. A piece of cake -- 14. "This was medicine" -- 15. "Maybe I can make you laugh" -- 16. Barriers to change -- Pt. 4. Medicine and love are not the same thing -- 17. One experience -- 18. Families as "problems" -- 19. No one in charge -- 20. The economics of dying -- 21. The most important time -- Pt. 5. Smelling the roses -- 22. "Her wishes were totally ignored" -- 23. The desire for control -- 24. Dreams coming true -- 25. The final caress -- 26. "We can celebrate" -- Pt. 6. A gift of silver -- 27. Lobster Newburg -- 28. A bowl of applesauce -- 29. Illness as opportunity -- Pt. 7. The lesson of the leaves |
|
30. The endless cycle -- 31. An agenda for improvement -- 32. Four final lessons |
| Summary |
"In Last Rights, Kiernan tells the stories of people who died after enduring avoidable pain and needless indignities. More important, he shares the stories of those whose last days were pain free, who lived life fully right to the last moment. Above all, he shows how patients and families can regain control of the dying process, creating familial intimacy like never before." "Bolstered by both scientific research and intimate portraits of men and women from all walks of life, Last Rights offers a hopeful, profound vision for patients, doctors, and families: a way to honor the dying during their greatest vulnerability, a chance for families to reconnect, an opportunity for the medical system to treat patients with ultimate respect, a time to give comfort and compassion to those we most love."--BOOK JACKET |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages [277]-288) and index |
| Subject |
Terminal care.
|
|
Death.
|
| LC no. |
2006047449 |
| ISBN |
0312342241 |
|
