hw #33

Matt: I enjoyed reading your post and you had very good ideas. The one that stood out to me the most was ; "So maybe it not about preparing but understanding." I agree with this statement because honestly can anyone ever prepare for someone to die? Will anyone ever be the same after someone has passed away? The only one to cope with this is to understand, people wont be here forever. Without understanding illness and death one can never truly be happy after the death of a friend/loved one.


Max: I also enjoyed reading your post. I agree with the idea that spending time with the person may mean more to the person then it looks. Most people don't want their last day on this earth to be in the hospital, most want it to be at home. They do because of the fact that it is a sanctuary and could be surrounded by people they love. Love and companionship means more then a doctor doing his or her job 

HW #32

What might you do or address differently as a result of what you've learned this unit, individually and with your family?

"More people die in hospitals today then anywhere else" this fact caught me completely off guard. Aren't hospitals there for us(patients) to be aided? I understand that not everyone can be saved and that every doctor is not a good doctor but shouldn't the hospital be somewhere we feel safe? This fact help me learn that people have to start putting their lives in their own hands. Majority of Americans think similar to how I thought, that after going to the hospital and being seen by a doctor things should become better. This is not always the case. Our lives and our well being should be our number one priority. Who loves us more than ourselves? We have to learn to be more independent and not leaving everything up to the doctors. Even though everyone is promised to die we can prolong the process, how? We can start by changing to a healthier diet, more exercise, helping to prolong illness. Exercising and dieting are not the simplest task in the world. Since they are not, the most effective way to be successful with this task would be starting the dieting and exercising process slowly. This process can be easily overwhelming , taking this slow will get your body and mind prepared for the task making things more straightforward.

HW #30

Facing terminal illness, something we all hope we will never have to experience even though the majority of us do. When we do have to face and experience terminal illness as the patient or even as a loved one of the patient, what do we do, how do we react? Being that I was curious about how different types of people are affected by the terminal illness and death of loved ones, I decided to interview two people who experienced it. The two people I interviewed were my; 18 year old half brother Jamal and 61 year old grandmother Carolyn. 

(First answers written are Jamal’s and second answers are Carolyn’s)

1. How old was your mother when she passed away?--37

                                                                                             --85 

  2)Terminal Illness?-Colon Cancer

                                -blocked bowel 

3)How’d it happen?- Severe stomach pains but denied colonoscopy because of young age. Later on found out that colonoscopy could have saved her life.

                                 -Sever stomach pains, was brought to surgery as soon as possible because of old age

4) How’d you feel about her being sick sick?- Wasn't worried because believed that things will pass over at the start. Over time began to face reality that death was a huge possibility

                                                                       - Very worried about her because of her old age at the start, when it became clear that dying was a possibility still was denying death.

5) How long was she sick? - 1 year

                   - 1 month 

6) Did you discuss the illness with her?- No, tried to keep it away from me

                                                              - Discussed it all the time

7) How as the Hospital treatment?- Very good

                                                    - Bad, mistreated

8)How was your relationship with person while ill?- Became very close because constantly having to aid her

                               - Always had a very close relationship

9)How did she change over time, while in hospital?- Condition got worst and worst, began to look like a different person.

                                 - Looked fine and thought that she was going to be leaving hospital soon but unfortunately passed away.

Before this Interview I could have imagined that my brother being that he is so young would have been more affected and more hurt by the death of his mother than my grandmother was. In reality my grandmother seemed as if she was hurt more simply by her shedding a vast amount of tears. One of the most significant things I learned after this interview was how people react when people first become sick. Most people look at a doctors appointment or a simple stop to the emergency room as something to not worry about, but in reality “Today more Americans die in hospitals than anywhere else.” (A time to die, 25) Not only the patients but us as the loved ones of the patients have to be more aware of what is the problem. This shows that the dominant social practices of illness & dying in our culture are making things worst. We believe that the hospitals and doctors will all work to their full potential or give us the best treatment they can give us, but some times this is not the case. This interview showed me this when my Grandmother answered that her 87 years old mother received horrible treatment in the hospital. Also when my 18 year old brother Jamal explained that his mother was denied a colonoscopy when that could have been the key to saving her life. This is very significant to our lives. If we do not only leave our lives in the hands of doctors and hospitals we will have a better chance of living for a longer period of time. The doctors jobs are to too aid us when we are in need but our number one priority should be looking out for ourselves.

Source: And a time to die: How Americas Hospitals 

Hw #29

Illness and dying overall leading to death, something we all try to prolong even though death is the one thing promised to all of us. The process of dying is not only significant to the person who is dying but also the people who experience the process. The book I read, My brother by Jamaica Kincaid help show the observers/family side of the process of dying. Most people think of the experience of dying to be full with love and regrets but Jamaica helped show another side; “I wasn’t there because I loved my brother but because I felt pity.”(My Brother, 88) Death may bring people together but doesn’t necessarily increase the amount of love shared between one another.

Which process seems more important, terminal illness or death itself? Majority of people would say that death its self is more important. Without the terminal illness there would be nothing leading to death besides natural causes. People tend to prolong death as long as they can but, “When someone is ill no one mentions it, no one pays a visit; but if a person shall die, there is a big outpouring of people at the funeral.” (My Brother, 146)

“50 million people in the United states are without health care.”(Sicko) Health care is very significant to one’s health and in this country our health care isn't living up to our potential. “American medicine remains the envy if the world...Yet the same country has constructed a health care system that is wasteful.” (Landmark, 65) Healthcare is supposed to be aiding us but in most ways they are taking from us. Leaving people in debt and giving people false hope for care when a good percentage of people are denied care.

When people think about hospitals they think about people who are ill or people who are injured. People also believe that this would be the best place for the person to be. Most people believe that when people enter the hospital they will leave the hospital in good health but, “Today more Americans die in hospitals than anywhere else.” (A time to die, 25) Even though that most hospitals try their best to help everyone, everyone is not aided, “Boston's Largest medical Facility was closing its emergency room to patients 45 hours per week.” (Sick, Intro) Now and for years to come, the health care we receive is not the health care we deserve.

Sources: Landmark. Public affairs. New York.2010

  And a time to die: How Americas Hospitals 

  My Brother By Jamaica Kincaid

Hw # 27 Comments

To Matt: Your #27 post on visiting a sick person was very insightful. Personally i could connect with a grandparent being ill. I felt that one of the stronger areas of your post was when you stated that people try to avoid death. I found this sentence; “As if their last moments are used to putting back the broken pieces glass which are their life” very interesting. You brought to my attention that most people avoid dying for so long there is so much to fix before they are gone. Majority of the time there is to much to put back together because of the lack of preparation for death.

To Jayson: I enjoyed reading your post Jayson. I thought it was interesting how you used someone that is diagnosed with a deadly disease which i believe can be just as bad or worst then being a patient in the hospital. I felt that it was also engaging that you stated that your family member acted as if nothing was wrong. That seems very common in our society, majority of people are wishing for that miracle and believing that they are invincible. Overall it was a great post Jayson.

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Matt: I felt you made some really sharp insights. Overall it was a really moving and relatable piece. Its intresting how you connected Sicko and your own personnel experience with your grandfather. Its a shame how at 76 a man must still work to recieve care. Where is the fairness in that.When thing's like this occur it shows the real flaw of the healthcare system in the united states. Some argue no one is entitled, no one is owed anything , America is where you pick yourself up from your own boot straps but I wonder when do we think bigger ? when do we realize we live in a community, that where not cowboys on the open road ? In my opinon it is are moral obligation to take care of those who cant take care of themselves. The no one has to go see their grandfather sick in hospital wondering how their going to pay for their care. I feel you have a nice way of illustrating this in your writing.

Brandon: I liked reading your post. I think the best part of the post was the part when you said “Even though my Grandfather was in the Hospital for a couple of days now all I could do was Hope for the best and convince my self he will be Ok.” I liked this part the best because no one wants to see their Grandfather die. I also liked this part because I felt the same way after leaving the hospital room.

This post was very touching for me to read. This post was not only touching but also very captivating. In my opinion the most significant part of the post was when you said; “Laying down rapped up in the covers as if someone tucked him in like a child was my 76 year old grandfather.” I felt that this was very significant to your post and the idea you were trying to portray. People tend to change when they become ill or on the edge of dying. They begin to look and act like someone they’re not. The irony of the fact that a 76 year old man appeared as a child was very interesting to me. Overall a very good post Javon. 

--Mom, Christina

Hw 27

We walked into the hospital and it felt like a complete different world. From the Loud, quick, energetic city to the quiet, slow, and awkward smelling hospital. My whole aura immediately changed, from the moment I stepped in the door i wanted to leave but I couldn’t. While in the elevator going to the 3rd floor of the Lenox hill Hospital all I could think about was; “is my grandfather alright?” After getting out the elevator on my way to room 3616 the majority of the rooms I passed there were patients with I.V’s connected to them and oxygen masks on their faces. Curiosity began to build, was my grandfather in this type of condition? 

At Last I was there, room 3616 to visit my Grandfather. It was a relief to see he was not in such a condition that the other patients were even though he seemed out of the ordinary. Laying down rapped up in the covers as if someone tucked him in like a child was my 76 year old grandfather. His face lit up with joy when he noticed my mother and I, but beforehand his face clearly showed that he was lonely and frightened. “Hey Grandpa, how are you?” I said and he slowly responded “I’m ok boy, the Doctor said i should be out of here soon.” Everything seemed like it was going to be alright now but my grandfathers expression changed from being joyful to being sad and confused again. This was the first time I had ever seen him in the hospital and the first time he spent more then one day in the hospital. It wasn't only weird for me but also weird for him. After spending a little less then an hour with him my mother and I had left, the whole time we were there he didn't shed one tear, as soon as we waved goodbye his eyes were full with them.

After leaving the hospital I felt a bit of relieved but i also felt guilty for not spending as much time with my grandfather as i could. I began to notice that it might be the time my grandfather has to go, has to pass on. He was around for 76 years and was healthy for almost every single one of those years I've been told. I was not the only one who thought this, I noticed that even my grandfather thought this. Even though my Grandfather was in the Hospital for a couple of days now all I could do was Hope for the best and convince my self he will be Ok.

The book “My brother” had a big impact on how i viewed my grandfather when going to Visit him. IN the Book my Brother Jamaica did not care much for her Brother because she wasn't around him for the majority of her life. This was not the case in my situation, I was practically raised by my Grandfather. Since the fact that i was practically raised by him I felt very worried and concerned for his well being. Relationships prior to being sick played a big role on how one cared for the patient. The Movie Sicko had a big impact on the visit between my Grandfather and I. In sicko Michael explained that many people with health care are not fully covered. My grandfather at the age of 76 was still working. He was one of those people who was worried about their health care not coming through. Shouldn't a man of his age be in retirement and not having to worry about getting better as soon as possible to return to work? Shouldn’t they be resting and worrying about their well being not about if they are going to be on time for work the next day?

hw 26

1) Health Care is extremely better in England, France. (Sicko)

2) It takes someone to be very sick or actually die for people to show they care. (My Brother)

3) People try to avoid death even though we are all promised to die(guest speaker)

4) 50 million people do not have health care (sicko)

 The Book “My brother” by Jamaica Kincaid helped me better understand our cultures social dominate practices. It helped me see that most people don't show their true intentions until someone is either dead or on the verge of dying. People act like death will never come and they can dodge the fact that everyone will die at one point.

The movie “Sicko” had a big impact on my understanding on our cultures dominate social practices. It helped me see that things are not what they seem. A lot of people try to avoid getting sick and work through their sickness because of the health care that our country has. Even though it may not be smarter or healthier not to go to the doctor it is more convenient and cheaper to avoid the doctor.