Before You Say Yes to Surgery: Questions Every Patient Should Ask

Before You Say Yes to Surgery: Questions Every Patient Should Ask

Why Medical Advocacy Matters Long Before the End of Life Recently, I became aware of a situation involving a man in his eighties — active, independent, and living a full life — who received a cancer diagnosis. He was not a client of mine, but his experience deeply...
When Illness Gets Complicated, a Patient Advocate Can Help

When Illness Gets Complicated, a Patient Advocate Can Help

When illness enters your life, most people expect medical care to feel… well, caring. Instead, they’re often surprised by how rushed, fragmented, and confusing it can become — especially when the illness is chronic, serious, or medically complex. It’s rarely just one...
Why Talking About Death Is a Gift — Not a Burden

Why Talking About Death Is a Gift — Not a Burden

(A gentle reflection for the holiday season) Most families gather around the holidays hoping for comfort, connection, and a little bit of magic. But beneath the lights, the meals, and the familiar traditions, something else often sits quietly at the table with us:the...
How Death Doulas Support Health Equity at the End of Life

How Death Doulas Support Health Equity at the End of Life

Introduction Sadly, end-of-life care is not experienced equally. For many families, the journey through serious illness, caregiving, or dying is shaped by privilege, access, and systemic inequities. Communities of color, low-income families, rural residents,...