What should I share about my health with my family?
It is always a good idea to let family and friends know generalities about your health. If you have major health problems, they may be a wonderful source of support and emotional boost. You should also be open about what quality of life you desire. Statements such as “I would never want to be attached to machines” or “I would never want to be in a Nursing Home,” or “I want to live, do everything you can for me” are helpful as they can help family make decisions or plans if your health fails.
What should my family share with me about my health?
Similarly, you should tell your family how much you want to know about your own health. Some such statements would include: “Don’t ever keep anything from me, I always want to know what I’m facing”, “I would never want to know if I had cancer, after watching my friend go through that I just would rather not know” or “Please don’t ever tell me bad news, I don’t think I could handle it.”
Should different family members know different things?
This is entirely up to you. If you really want one relative to make all your decisions and clearly do not want other relatives involved, you need to be clear about this. This is something that you should discuss with your doctor and consider formalizing a Health Care Proxy.
What other things should I tell my family?
Remember that each day is a blessing and a gift. Your health can change very quickly and should not be taken for granted. Be sure to thank your family and friends frequently and let them know how much you love and care for them.
What are some of the humorous comments that patients, friends, and family have shared?
“She always has lots to say, she has an AAD degree- almost a doctor.”
“How long do I have to wear this C-CRAP, I mean CPAP?”
If you run my nebulizer medication though my ventilator is it a power-Neb?”
“I know, I know, keep the hose in the nose to get the O’s (oxygen)”
“The secret to why you shouldn’t eat diet food is in the first three letters- d-i-e”
“What causes cancer to be mesmerized (metastasized) throughout the body?”
“I want to die a slow and painful death… oops I mean I don’t’ want to die a slow and painful death.”
“If I blow really hard out of my trach, I can hit somebody with sputum across the room.”
“Does this mask make me look like Darth Vader?”
“This hospital is a zoo; I am tired of all the CAT scans and LAB work.” (Labrador)
“I think I have a problem with my heart. It keeps trying to die.”