Uncomfortable

In a culture that fears the unknown, it is natural to fear death.  We focus on death as a loss – a loss of goods, relationships, and life.  For this reason, we like to avoid death in discussion and our technology has worked to expand the length of life.  The problem that Moller addresses with this is that “in our death-avoiding culture with its focus is on aggressive curative treatment, far too many dying persons are never referred to hospice, or if they are, the referral is made extremely late in the course of illness” (56).  Moller goes on to account the stories of various people he met who face this situation.

Ken White, upon receiving the news of his diagnosis of esophageal cancer, opted to not receive chemotherapy.  Even after intense discussion with the oncologist, Ken’s insistence on not receiving treatment remained.  Healthcare workers were harsh and rude with him because they resented the fact that he refused to at least attempt to prolong his life.  He was given a follow-up appointment instead of advice and counseling on hospice care or other alternatives to aggressive treatment in order to increase the quality of his last months of life. 

J.W. Green experienced similar negligence in his visits to hospitals.  He never truly understood the extent of his situation, captured by his quote to Moller, “I ain’t sure what’s happening.  That’s right.  I would like to know more about my condition” (75).  Despite signing papers to participate in experimental chemotherapy, he didn’t fully understand the implications of the study and the gravity and extent of his disease.  Green reiterated again, “I want to know just about what they know” (76).  After participating in the treatment for some time, Green was informed that he was no longer being treated for his cancer, but only being given medication for pain and blood pressure.  Green, besides facing the pain of not being able to sleep until about three or four o’clock in the morning because of his intense pain, now had to deal with the emotional pain of accepting the fact that he was dying when he thought he had hope. 

Why does this occur? Maybe we don’t look at death from the right angle.  Plenty of people accept death with faith and peace and as a reality, which it is.  Shouldn’t we want the last days of these people’s live to be as enriched as possible?  Simply stated, many physicians and oncologists are not equipped to deal with death in an open and candid manner that is often appropriate and necessary.  Moller argues, “taking refuge in clinical details, they often leave patients feeling they have not been told everything and speculating about their condition” (76).  This is especially unfair to the poor, who are often less educated and have a more difficult time understanding medical jargon and the implications of disease.  For this reason, the dying poor, many of whom have lived under the strain of poverty their entire lives, are left to face a poor man’s death without adequate preparation. 

Dancing With Broken Bones.  David Wendell Moller.  Chapters 4-5.