3 Lessons for Living Well, From the Dying
What if you knew that you were at the end of your life? Would you have done anything differently? A friend of mine volunteers at a hospice, and she hears one regret over and over from patients: letting relationships wither. They wish that they had made more plans with good friends, or they thought about getting back in touch with an old buddy, and talked themselves out of it.
For the past few years, I have been trying to prioritize my friendships, but after hearing her words, I'm making a bigger effort. I send silly texts. I invite friends to dinner. I squelch that inner voice that says, 'They're probably too busy to hang out.' I do not want any regrets.
Dr. Vicki Jackson, president of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Board of Directors, said that for the same reason, she doesn't hesitate to tell people that she loves them.
'I am not Pollyanna; I'm a big academic,' said Dr. Jackson, who has treated dying patients for a quarter century. 'But I tell people I appreciate them a lot. I have a lot of deep gratitude, because I know it is dumb luck that it's not me in that bed. And I know tomorrow it could be.'
I asked Dr. Jackson and other palliative and hospice care experts about what they've learned from patients. They offered advice that you can apply to your life, from those at the end of theirs.
Suzanne B. O'Brien, a former hospice nurse and author of 'The Good Death: A Guide for Supporting Your Loved One Through the End of Life,' told me that many dying patients look back with longing on the more mundane parts of their routines, like walking their dogs or making pancakes on a Saturday morning.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jackson groups advocate for gun violence victims
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – June is recognized as Gun Violence Awareness Month. Jackson Moms Demand Action and Survivor Connect joined forces on Saturday to hold a Gun Violence Awareness Rally in the capital city. A memorial walk was held followed by testimonies. Krishaun Muldrow, leader of Survivor Connect, said being a survivor of gun violence encouraged her told hold the event. 'Four years ago, I was shot multiple times, and I didn't think I was going to make it. And when I was recovering, I didn't have really a support system. So, I wear orange to be the person that I needed,' Muldrow said. She said gun violence happens everyday and affects may people. 'Every day people are sitting in their homes triggered in trauma, by trauma of the sound of gun violence and whatnot. And nobody's talking about it. Nobody's talking about the affect afterwards that the people have to live and heal from,' Muldrow stated. Officials with Jackson Moms Demand Action and Survivor Connect said resources are available to help those in need. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
NHS set for boost of up to £30bn as other budgets feel squeeze
The NHS is expected to receive a funding boost of up to £30 billion in the spending review next week at the expense of other public services. The Department of Health is set to be handed a 2.8% annual increase in its day-to-day budget over a three-year period. The cash injection, which amounts to a rise of about £30 billion by 2028, or £17 billion in real terms, will see other areas including police and councils squeezed, The Times newspaper reported. Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to ensure that by the next election 92% of patients in England waiting for planned treatment are seen within 18 weeks of being referred. Latest NHS data suggests around 60% of people are currently seen in this time and figures released last month showed the overall number of patients on waiting lists had risen slightly from 6.24 million to 6.25 million. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has acknowledged that she had been forced to turn down requests for funding in a sign of the behind-the-scenes wrangling over her spending review. She insisted the blame for the tight economic situation lay with the Conservatives rather than her rigid rules on borrowing and spending. The Chancellor said despite a £190 billion increase in funding over the spending review period 'not every department will get everything that they want next week and I have had to say no to things that I want to do too'. On top of the increase in day-to-day spending, funded in part by the tax hikes Ms Reeves set out in her budget, looser borrowing rules will help support a £113 billion investment package. Economists have warned the Chancellor faces 'unavoidably' tough choices when she sets out departmental spending plans on June 11. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) think tank said defence and the NHS will dominate the review, raising the prospect of cuts to other unprotected departments.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
Data breach of personal patient info ends in firing of Miami hospital employee
More than 2,000 patients at Jackson Health System had their personal data, including names, address and medical information accessed in a lengthy breach that spanned nearly five years. The data breach was conducted by a Jackson employee who accessed the information to promote a personal healthcare business, according to Jackson Health. Miami-Dade's public hospital system announced the patient data breach Friday afternoon. Jackson Health says its internal investigation found that the 'unauthorized access' to patient records occurred between July 2020 and May 2025. The data breach included 'patient names, birth dates, addresses, medical record numbers and clinical details' but Social Security numbers weren't compromised, according to the hospital. 'Data breaches are unfortunately all too common in the healthcare industry, where sensitive information is frequently targeted,' Jackson Health said in a statement. 'In this case, Jackson became a victim of an employee who took advantage of his trusted position to access patient information inappropriately,' Jackson Health spokeswoman Krysten Brenlla declined to answer questions from the Miami Herald on the breach, including which hospital the breach occurred. Jackson said the employee who accessed the patient data was 'immediately terminated.' The hospital said it's 'cooperating with law enforcement to investigate any potential criminal violations. Patients affected are being notified.' This article will be updated.
