Thanks for Your Thoughts

Mattie
 
Thank you all for your encouragement and thoughts–it’s nice to know I’ve been missed. When I was out of work for several months due to an illness (about 10 years ago), I was convinced everyone would find my absence unbearable. It was humbling to discover most people didn’t know I was gone. I’m not much, ya’ know, but I’m all I think about … it is, after all, all about me

Anyway, I plan to resume blogging–hopefully fairly soon. But there’s quite a bit on my plate at the moment: my mother-in-law, who has been a healthy, independent 87-year-old, had her second fall in 6 months, was hospitalized for a week (while we were gone), and is now in a nursing home with intractable pain, and her long-term disposition is very much up in the air; my daughter just had back surgery and is staying with us while she recovers; my wife’s got the flu; my buddy Ben, our 6-month old standard poodle, has been sick with diarrhea and vomiting for 4 days, and had to be hospitalized for dehydration; and there’s still some unsettled issues at work, as I change accounting software, revisit priorities and schedules, and get some lingering retirement plan issues resolved at long last. So blogging by necessity may be a bit short and sporadic in the near term.

In the meantime, thank you for your thoughts and prayers, and be sure to visit some of the great sites on my blogroll. Back soon, God bless.

Paradise Found

Maui
 

Well, it’s back to reality…

After a wonderful week on Maui, where my oldest daughter got married in a small family wedding, it’s back to the daily grind of work and life problems large and small. But the rest was a tonic, the ceremony and time with family a true blessing. A week with no newspaper, no TV, no computer or internet (aargh!!), no pagers or night calls, mostly spent with feet up, basking in warm tropical breezes, catching up on my reading (Chesterton’s Orthodoxy and Richard Weavers’ classic Ideas Have Consequences, if you must know–and yes, I do find such reading relaxing), dining on Maui’s extraordinary seafood–such is true heaven, Paradise Found. But like all Paradises on earth, temporary and too fleeting. Sigh.

Anyway, I hope to start posting again soon. Thanks for visiting and reading.

Tough Weeks

horseThe past two weeks have been rather punishing, with difficulties professional, personal, and family, and an on-call weekend thrown in to boot with its time-sink hangover effects (the week after a call weekend piles leftover work on top of regularly scheduled responsibilities–not to mention the effects of sleep deprivation). This has left me with little time, and even less energy, to write–but like most hard times, can be an opportunity for growth and reflection. So I hope to pen some thoughts here on some struggles and lessons learned in the next few days.

Meanwhile here’s a shot of a miniature horse kept at one our neighbors’ place.

Thanks for reading, stay well, and God bless. Back soon.

Euthanasia in New Orleans?

skullMy last post, riffing off a report that physicians may have euthanized some patients in a New Orleans hospital during Katrina caught a fair amount of heat for promoting a news story which was, in the eyes of some, an urban legend. One of my more–umm, hyperbolic admirers– has some choice words about my decision to lend credence to this obviously fraudulent story, drawing the conclusion that I am a moron seriously in need of growing a brain, and a threat to my patients’ health and well-being. Well, you can’t please all the people all the time–and no suggestions on just how to grow a brain were proffered, so I guess I am on my own there. But criticism–never pleasant–can be both cathartic and corrective, as indeed it was in this case. And so I thought a few words of reflection on that post might be in order.

First, when I first ran across this report in The Mail, a British tabloid, I was alarmed that it might have occurred, and frankly found the story at first generally plausible (perhaps a bias on my part to believe it existed), but nevertheless found it suspect in some regards. British tabloids are not known for accuracy in their sensationalism–lagging behind even the NY Times in this regard. It appeared to be single-sourced, and only one named witness was given. The witness was separately mentioned in another, unrelated story quoted on the BBC, as a British citizen living in a town near New Orleans, and plausibly involved in relief efforts there, lending some credence to the story. Other aspects of the story seemed very odd–the pharmacy lockdown, the use of high-dose morphine to kill (potassium chloride or barbituates are much more efficient), and the oddness of having a non-medical emergency worker notify the families. Based on these reservations and the single source, I twice expressed some reservations about the story’s veracity. This was clearly not enough skepticism for some, but I trust my readers’s intellects and instincts, and doubt any would be misled to believe the story was absolutely verified. For those who may have come to this conclusion, let’s be clear:

I do not know if this story is true–in fact, there is substantial reason to doubt that it is, and that doubt is growing.

Over the past day or so I have been following the story on the web. It has been repeated almost verbatum in several British, Australian and Canadian papers–often without attributing The Mail as its source. But nothing in the States, nothing from the affected families or local population. To date, Snopes has nothing, pro or con, on the topic. Orac–whose skeptical birddogging of alternative medicine and thoroughness in debunking all things mythical, has an excellent summary of the information to date, and comes down (not surprisingly) on the side of urban legend. Even the crowd over at Democratic Underground are bouncing this one around with some skepticism (odd for this conspiracy-loving crowd–although if it did happen, it was Bush’s fault), which is summarized here.

So why run an iffy story like this as a basis for a commentary on physician-assisted suicide? Well, several reasons: I was at first, less skeptical about the story than I am now–and probably less skeptical than I should have been. Secondly, it was an easy framework in which to comment and discuss many of the issues surrounding euthanasia. How could an urban legend be the legitimate basis for such discussion? The answer, I believe, is simple–and is the reason this story has sustained a life of its own on the web, even if legend: quirks and odd details notwithstanding, the scenario is entirely plausible.

First of all, voluntary and involuntary physician-assisted suicide is already a reality in this country–although it is rare, and much of it is underground. An anonymous survey of over 3100 physicians published in 1998 in the New England Journal of Medicine cited the surprisingly high incidence of physicians who had considered–or performed–assisted suicide: 11% said they would be willing to administer a lethal medication to a patient who asked, even if illegal; 7% would be willing to administer a lethal injection themselves; and nearly 5% stated they had already administered such a lethal injection. Significantly higher percentages said they would consider such a recourse if it were legal. It should be noted that this was not a cross-section of all physicians, but the survey was directed at those involved in terminal care. A smaller survey in JAMA, also in 1998, revealed that nearly 16% of oncologists had participated in active euthanasia–and over 15% of these cases were involuntary (i.e., without patient request). Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act was passed in 1994, and as of 2004, 208 patients have died from a prescription for a lethal dose of barbituates given them legally by their physicians (Oregon physicians are not allowed to directly administer lethal oral or injectable medications). The incidence of unreported physician-assisted suicide (PAS) is impossible to gauge–in part because of the grayness of deaths due to high-dose opiates in terminal cancer pain, which may be either incidental or intentional. But there is fairly widespread support among physicians for some sort of PAS–with as many as a third supporting the idea, at least at the theoretical level.

Furthermore, anyone who has any experience discussing euthanasia with proponents or listening to such debates will have heard every single argument put forth by the anonymous physician in the New Orleans story. We hear about “death with dignity”, “compassion” “they are going to die any, so why not be merciful?” And who would doubt, should such a scenario occur, that the media would be apologists, to prevent exposure if possible to those who committed such acts lest they be “scapegoats”? This story–true or fabrication–embodied the bulk of the rationalizations and arguments of those who support assisted suicide or active euthanasia, and therefore served–even if fictitious (and I surely hope it is)–as a hypothetical framework for addressing these points.

I will in the future be more cautious about such stories–even when they prove a teachable moment, and I apologize if any of my readers were led to place more credence in this story than it appears to merit at this time.

And one more comment–about comments: I continue to marvel at how absolutely clueless and disrespectful some commenters can be. Believe it or not, it is possible to disagree–even passionately–with another individual with insulting them personally or questioning their integrity. The anonymity of the web allows–even encourages–such abrasive discourse, seemingly without consequence. And I generally try to tolerate such excesses in comments, up to a point. But though you are anonymous, your character shines through when you resort to personal attacks and character assassination. The chances that your point or position–whatever it may be–will be heard and considered, by either me or a reader, drop like a rock. And a life lived stewing in a cesspool of anger and hatred–popping your head up only long enough to throw an anonymous turd at someone you do not know, but detest anyway–will be its own reward. I may listen, I will pray for you–but have little interest in giving you a soapbox for your arrogance and condescension. Folks like you have nothing positive to add to life–and the rest of us tune you out immediately. So keep it civil, folks–the Delete Comment button is just too easy to hit.

Katrina Aid

Flowers
Just wanted to add my plea to those many bloggers who are encouraging others to contribute generously to the relief of the those suffering through the Katrina disaster–undoubtably the greatest natural disaster to hit the U.S., ever. Truly heartbreaking.

I have sent my contribution to World Vision. While often mentioned in international relief, they have excellent capabilities and track record in national disasters as well. Furthermore, they are an organization of high integrity, and a very large percentage of you contribution will go to those in need, and to where you direct it. I have family and friends who work for this organization and cannot recommend them highly enough.

Whatever charity you choose, please give generously. Let our character as generous Americans prevail, remembering how greatly we have been blessed and sacrificing for those in need.

One Year Ago

One year ago — it seems like so little time has passed. It was one year ago today that, on a whim, I signed up at Blogger and started this weblog. I remember thinking, “What in the hell am I doing, adding one more thing to my day, another burden of impulsive desire and unrealistic optimism frustrated by the hard limit of a 24-hour day?” Well, it probably wasn’t phrased exactly that way, but you get the drift. But the price was right (is it really free if it steals hours from your day?), and it seemed like an outlet for a lot of ideas I’d had rattling about in my brain for a long, long time.

I’ve kept personal journals off and on over the years — sometimes during times when life was difficult, when the loneliness was almost unbearable and God seemed far, sometimes when God was close enough to feel His breath and the sense of joy and awe inexplicably beautiful. But mostly my life is mundane, the routines of sluggish dawns, mindless commutes, long days, late hours, family responsibilities and turmoil — the stuff even the most blessed of us experience, the stuff which sustains us while it deadens us. And in the mundane there is no passion to write, and years passed between entries. And then the darkness — when years passed without God, without relationships, without hope, with no love to give. Random, frantic, cryptic entries dot the pages, giving only the faintest clue to the emptiness within, the cries to God like stones thrown in a canyon, without sound or reaction as they reach their bottom.

Then grace: that most surprising of turns, when everything you deserve does not happen and every gift you receive you do not deserve. It changes a man, breaks his pride, gives him a new heart and a new eye, takes a life once narrowing to a spider’s thread and broadens it in ways I could not, and cannot yet, imagine. Years of healing in a day, a lifetime of healing in a few years. It is a gift so great that it cannot be hoarded, for hoarding destroys the gift: it must be shared. And so, writing — the journal returns to life in a new medium, for a new purpose. At once it is the dread of a responsibility taken on, and the pleasure of crafting something of my own, yet not of my own.

I’ve long hated writing. Drawn to the logic, predictability, and safety of hard science, writing seemed impossibly difficult, each word a chore, leaden phrases laboriously typed, two struggling fingers on keys late at night, mere hours before deadline. And writing forced you to expose your soul, if you wrote with any passion — a terrifying transparency, far more dangerous than math proofs or mixing toxic chemicals behind safety goggles in sterile laboratories.

Then things changed–slowly, imperceptibly, over many years. The tool which had furrowed little in the hard soil of a frightened soul began to find utility. The earth seemed softer, perhaps because the instrument acquired purpose other than labor for labor’s sake, and skills acquired by purposeful repetition hardened the hands and made efforts more fruitful. How many gifts do we have, buried under a hardened armor, awaiting the gracious trauma of a shattered shell? One can only imagine — one fears to imagine.

I have always been a man of few words, preferring the quick quip to the thoughtful response — the right words always coming hours or days after the exchange. But writing: aahhh, there is a way to express your heart, to pour out your soul. The beauty of words, sometimes carefully chosen, sometimes flowing effortlessly from a source unseen, pounding out their rhythm and cadence, sometimes soft, sometimes stirring. Like music, they penetrate the spirit with power, deep speaking to deep.

I have learned to love great writers, and love to learn from them, in my own stumbling steps to imitate and emulate. And the web! Who could have imagined that a medium so poorly suited to reading — reading a book on computer an unimaginable chore — could prove so ideal for the comment, the essay, the quiet reflection, the fiery retort? Fascinating to see this medium evolve in ways never imagined — fascinating even more so to watch society, culture, country, and world change as a result. It is not the medium which transforms the world, but the voices of those rarely heard before. “For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” — sobering caution indeed from Him whose followers called “the Word made flesh,” yet at once rich with excitement and possibility.

So I celebrate one year as a blogger — a detestable term, that, more apt to describe a savior for the sanitation department than a writer. But perhaps it is more accurate than I know. I am grateful to have this vehicle for catharsis, to formulate and organize thoughts otherwise scattered and incomplete. And I am grateful to those who have taken the time to read, and hope that in some small way you have been blessed, as I have been.

Thoughts on New Blog

JesterOne of the many reasons for moving to WordPress has been better control and more options on comments. There is a balance between ease of commenting (desirable) and control of spam and flamers, or abusive commenters. I’m going to leave things pretty freewheeling for now, and see how it goes. Some busy blogs are using comment registration, which I find a mild inconvenience, but let me know what you think.

Also, any feedback on layout, link or permalink problems, etc. is much appreciated.

Also, if you’re interested in getting on the blogroll, this is a great time (reciprocity always appreciated, of course).

UPDATE: For those of you who couldn’t leave comments, I’ve figured out how to allow comments without registering. If you’re still having problems leaving a comment, leave me a comment (like those voice mail messages — “If you have a touch tone phone, please press 1. If not, please press 2.”) or e-mail me.