While We're Still Here

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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Listen and learn about death doula work: 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'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. 

Have questions? Send me a message!

Listen and learn about death doula work: 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]

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

Have questions? Send me a message!

Listen and learn about death doula work: 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]

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? 

Have questions? Send me a message!

Listen and learn about death doula work: 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]

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

Have questions? Send me a message!

Listen and learn about death doula work: 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]

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.

Have questions? Send me a message!

Listen and learn about death doula work: 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]

A care home employee mentioned to me that she asks new clients "Who is Your Village?" Wow, what an eye opener for me! 

I have family, friends, coworkers, etc. When it comes to my time of need, Who is My Village? Who is there to keep an eye out for me, answer a call for help, or even give me a ride? 

If you've realized you have a village--Good for you! However, is there someone you know without a village? Do you need to be their village? Can you be that role for someone, even if you don't think of them as a friend? 

Have questions? Send me a message!

Listen and learn about death doula work: 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]

Caution: Suicide and alcoholism/addiction are mentioned in this episode. 

Ken is a man who gripped me right away. His energy and thought processes are such as I had not encountered previously. We enjoyed talking together so much I divided the episode into two parts. This is Part One.

12:53 Ken paraphrases an important message from a distinguished author and claims it as his way of life. 

15:33 If I'm going to live, this is my chance, or "ticket to life". 

https://www.nightingale.com/

Have questions? Send me a message!

Listen and learn about death doula work: 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]

My dear friend Nan died too young. She was getting her life on a safer track only to be struck down by an unexpected work injury. We weren't always friends, but the statement above changed it all, for the better. 

Have questions? Send me a message!

Listen and learn about death doula work: 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]

Nicole is the Bereavement Coordinator for Chaplaincy Hospice. She explains the services offered, community outreach, and support for families. We covered so much in this interview. Take a listen. 

22:00 Who can utilize Bereavement Services? 

39:30 Normalize death

61:06 Contact Tri Cities Chaplaincy and Cork's Place 509-783-7416 (ext 3006)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/98651688-where-did-benjamin-go

https://tccbestlife.org 

https://headsuptc.org

Have questions? Send me a message!

Listen and learn about death doula work: 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]