This week at the hospital…

I had a young patient (in his early 60s), that was admitted for dehydration but was struggling with advanced Parkinson’s disease.  He didn’t fit the typical mold of late stage Parkinson’s; he seemed too young for this level of disease, yet here he was.  He also had dementia, an unfortunate complication of Parkinson’s.  His wife was so lovely, so let’s call her Lovely Wife. Lovely wife was a goddamn warrior; advocating for her husband, asking questions, ensuring that his wishes were followed, being present.  It was obvious that these two had had many difficult conversations (when he was still cognitively intact) to get to this place, where she felt completely comfortable executing his wishes.  The recommendation from the medical