My Scottish heritage was in full display at this funeral, complete with bagpipes and kilts. The folks I had wanted to see were there, save a couple, and the conversations were lively and fun. I also learned some things about grief, family, and active listening. 

Amazing Grace on bagpipes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5PZX5ZXO88

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Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle Bray specifically for this show. Reach out to me if you want the score. 
The logo artwork was provided by Maddie's Plush Pouch - [email protected]

Dr. George J. Taylor is an expert in palliative care medicine. He has written many texts. Our discussion relates to his most recent publication, A Caregiver’s Guide to Palliative Medicine. He explains how we can use medications to achieve pain control, when to start Hospice care, the difference between dependence and addiction, and longevity vs quality of life. 

https://www.amazon.com/Caregivers-Guide-Palliative-Medicine/dp/B0GZHX9G9S

Notes: 

25:00 Mobic for pain, Tylenol for pain

34:00 Get on Hospice early.

46:00 Aging, Nutrition, treatments to ‘make young people better’. 

55:30: Dependence vs addiction and the Other Opioid Crisis. 

1:00 The Five Wishes and the importance of the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare.

You can read critiques written about his book here:

https://independentbookreview.com/2026/07/08/a-caregivers-guide-to-palliative-medicine-by-george-j-taylor-m-d/

 https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/857762

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Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com 
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Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle Bray specifically for this show. Reach out to me if you want the score. 
The logo artwork was provided by Maddie's Plush Pouch - [email protected]

A brief update. I didn't want to start publishing episodes with no warning. I have a terrific interview to share with you coming up very soon. 

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Facebook: While We're Still Here

Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle Bray specifically for this show. Reach out to me if you want the score. 
The logo artwork was provided by Maddie's Plush Pouch - [email protected]

Artificial External Life Support is a combination of medical interventions implemented when a person is unable to breathe on their own or when the heart cannot pump blood on its own, or organs need support to function. These interventions are referred to as Life Support and they have their place in medical care. Today I explain why it's so important that we all consider whether we would want these interventions should we find ourselves in need of them but are unable to communicate our wishes. This is a tough topic--it took me years of learning and consideration before I wrote up my Advance Directive. 

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Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle Bray specifically for this show. Reach out to me if you want the score. 
The logo artwork was provided by Maddie's Plush Pouch - [email protected]

At the end of life, morphine becomes an important method for pain control. As a death doula, a non-medical practitioner, my training included alternative methods for pain control and anxiety relief. The techniques can be practiced in between medication doses or in addition to them when pain or agitation or anxiety rises. One can use these methods at any point in their life span as well. With the holidays upon us, our stress levels may be rising. Take a listen and learn a new stress management technique. 

Here are some links to get you started:

https://www.reiki.org/faqs/what-reiki

noun: a form of alternative therapy that involves listening to and feeling the vibrations produced by instruments such as gongs or chimes.

https://www.calm.com/blog/5-4-3-2-1-a-simple-exercise-to-calm-the-mind

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Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle Bray specifically for this show. Reach out to me if you want the score. 
The logo artwork was provided by Maddie's Plush Pouch - [email protected]

I'm sharing more about doula care and how it fits in with Hospice care. I also talk about how we can avoid 'crashing into Hospice" by first acknowledging our mortality and then making a plan. It's not foolproof but can create peace of mind when everything feels like chaos. 

Can we live our best lives with the life we have left? The Hospice I volunteer for thinks we can. It's their tag line. I say surrender is not giving up. It can be one of the first steps to accepting our end of life so that we can make the most of the time that remains. 

Kale? Why the heck am I talking about kale???

https://zdoggmd.com/podcasting/vpzd-32     

Correction: I mention the shock phase and transition phase of end of life as taught by my doula mentor. Shock phase comes at the time of a terminal diagnosis and I would also add it can occur once a person is told there are no more treatment options. Transition phase is the last phase of life, when the body begins its work of dying, weeks to days before death. I  mis-spoke by saying "transition" when I meant to say "stabilization" phase. Stabilization phase follows shock phase, and this is when a person begins to accept their situation and begins to plan their last months of life. 

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Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle Bray specifically for this show. Reach out to me if you want the score. 
The logo artwork was provided by Maddie's Plush Pouch - [email protected]

I enjoy learning about word origins and phrases. Listen in and learn about some yourself today. You already know the theme....

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Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com 
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Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle Bray specifically for this show. Reach out to me if you want the score. 
The logo artwork was provided by Maddie's Plush Pouch - [email protected]

Once you acknowledge you will die someday, it can impact your daily life. Choices you make may be different in light of accepting that your life will end. Consider preparing for a trip. You may make airplane purchases, hotel reservations, and put together the clothing you want to bring along. I am not going to say I prepare for everything but, in most things humans undertake, there is some planning and preparation. Preparing for our death can bring peace of mind and even comfort. What about preparing our family for our death? Some terrific conversations can be undertaken and relationships mended or strengthened. 

What does dying your way mean to you? 

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Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com 
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Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle Bray specifically for this show. Reach out to me if you want the score. 
The logo artwork was provided by Maddie's Plush Pouch - [email protected]

I am happy to introduce you to John. His experiences with those at the end of life as well as families and staff who support them are inspiring. His immense compassion and wisdom makes me want to chat with him all day. He will share terrific stories and insights. 

3:48 - Pain isn't only medical

34:00 Suicide is mentioned

54:00 Hope of tomorrow

103:40 Caregiver fatigue

Book - "Remember Me, End of of Life Stories Through the Eyes of a Hospice Chaplain"

Book - "Delayed Honor"

Book in progress--Caregiver Guide

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Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com 
Reach me at [email protected]

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Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle Bray specifically for this show. Reach out to me if you want the score. 
The logo artwork was provided by Maddie's Plush Pouch - [email protected]

I have received fabulous feedback about Ken. I am so glad we were able to talk as much as we did so that you can hear more of his thoughts on dying and death. 

11:00 "I'm gonna die someday so I don't think I want to spend my time doing that"

13:30 "Acceptance that we will die is a 'ticket to life'.

26:10 Last ice cream.

Send us Fan Mail

Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com 
Reach me at [email protected]

Facebook: While We're Still Here

Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle Bray specifically for this show. Reach out to me if you want the score. 
The logo artwork was provided by Maddie's Plush Pouch - [email protected]