Implantable cardiac defibrillator shocks vs. “careful and kind” end-of-life care

~ Carolyn Thomas ~ 8 Comments

by Carolyn Thomas    ♥    Heart Sisters (on Blue Sky)

Here’s how I defined implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD)  in my patient-friendly, jargon-free glossary:  small battery-operated electronic device that’s surgically inserted into the chest to treat life-threatening heart rhythm problems.  An implanted ICD is almost like having a tiny Emergency Department at the ready, right inside your own chest, capable of delivering a shock strong enough to restore a struggling heart’s normal rhythm, thus helping to prevent sudden cardiac arrest.

But what happens when the ICD patient is not dying from a heart rhythm problem – but from a terminal medical condition?     Continue reading “Implantable cardiac defibrillator shocks vs. “careful and kind” end-of-life care” →

What if we call them “self-care promises” instead of resolutions?

~ Carolyn Thomas ~ 9 Comments

by Carolyn Thomas     ♥    @HeartSisters   

Well, we’re into the New Year now. For some of us, that’s almost enough time to notice small cracks beginning to appear in the boldly announced resolutions made in the midst of all that post-Christmas excess. I’ve already, for example, ditched the Lettuce Leaf Diet I was contemplating for 2025 after all that Christmas feasting.

During the last century, when I was one of the volunteer run leaders at our local Y Marathon Training Clinic, we’d often hear lofty New Year’s resolutions from first-timers signed  up for our 10-month training program each January – something like:

“This is the year I’m finally going to quit smoking, lose 20 pounds and run a marathon!”

“Honey,” I would say gently to them:   “Pick one!”          .  Continue reading “What if we call them “self-care promises” instead of resolutions?” →

The most popular Heart Sisters article in 2024

~ Carolyn Thomas ~ 4 Comments

by Carolyn Thomas     ♥    Heart Sisters (on Blue Sky)

What an experience looking back over this past year here at Heart Sisters World Headquarters has been.  In the early spring of 2024, for example, my book publisher (Johns Hopkins University Press) asked me out of the blue if I’d write a second edition of the book. I said NO, then I said YES, then I said DEFINITELY NO!  (More on that decision chaos in “Throws are Far More Important Than Catches” )   Continue reading “The most popular Heart Sisters article in 2024” →

Revisiting this craving for post-holiday solitude

~ Carolyn Thomas ~ 12 Comments

by Carolyn Thomas   ♥  Heart Sisters (on Blue Sky)

At this busy countdown march through the holiday season, I find myself physically craving some delicious solitude, and I’m wondering if you too are looking forward to some post-holiday time on your own.

Don’t get me wrong:  I’ve truly been enjoying the lights and music of the season, our family’s group cabbage-rolling and perogy-pinching work bees prepping for Christmas Eve dinner, the unmatchable joy of watching grandkids excited about Santa, and the contagious open-heartedness I encounter even from passing strangers. I love those moments!

But if you’re like me, and are thinking seriously about learning to enjoy more me-time, remember that you may have to schedule it on your calendar. Treat it like it’s the important appointment it is – an appointment with yourself.
Continue reading “Revisiting this craving for post-holiday solitude” →