Memento mori is a Latin phrase that may be translated as "Remember that you are mortal," "Remember you will die," "Remember that you must die," or "Remember your death". It names a genre of artistic creations that vary widely from one another, but which all share the same purpose, which is to remind people of their own mortality.
In ancient Rome, the phrase is said to have been used on the occasions when a Roman general was parading through the streets of Rome during the victory celebration known as a triumph. Standing behind the victorious general was a slave, and he had the task of reminding the general that, though he was up on the peak today, tomorrow was another day. The servant did this by telling the general that he should remember that he was mortal: "Memento mori." It is also possible that the servant said, rather, "Respice post te! Hominem te esse memento!": "Look behind you! Remember that you are but a man!", as noted in Tertullian in his Apologeticus.
As soon as we were parked outside 2810 Clinton Avenue,the peace and tranquility was palpable even in an area of Cleveland not usually associated with those traits.The warmth and friendly atmosphere were personified by our contact lady Alice,the volunteer co-ordinator.
Residents have stayed anywhere from just a few minutes to up to 4 years until expiring.Residents do need to have been accepted into hospice care with a reassessment every 6 months.
In ancient Rome, the phrase is said to have been used on the occasions when a Roman general was parading through the streets of Rome during the victory celebration known as a triumph. Standing behind the victorious general was a slave, and he had the task of reminding the general that, though he was up on the peak today, tomorrow was another day. The servant did this by telling the general that he should remember that he was mortal: "Memento mori." It is also possible that the servant said, rather, "Respice post te! Hominem te esse memento!": "Look behind you! Remember that you are but a man!", as noted in Tertullian in his Apologeticus.
As I drove down Carnegie with Florin,one of my batch mates with whom I was on the palliative care service,I could not stop wondering how everyday issues really distract physicians especially from the harsh reality of man's ultimate mortality and the issues contingent on that.
At this moment,I also allowed myself the luxury of feasting on the beautiful Cleveland downtown skyline and soak in the ambience of this kind summer afternoon.
At this moment,I also allowed myself the luxury of feasting on the beautiful Cleveland downtown skyline and soak in the ambience of this kind summer afternoon.
Everyday,each physician has had some brush with mortality,whether providing some end-of-life care or certifying a patient that just expired.This fact however often gets lost in the semi-automated fashion most physicians go about their daily routine.The expressionless demeanor of many a physician while delivering the verdict of death to patient's relatives may sometimes send the wrong signal to those family members that their doctor does not feel that human connection.
The truth may however be closer to the fact that most doctors are trained not to be emotionally attached to their patient.There is a good reason why doctors are discouraged ethically from treating their own ailing family members.
The truth may however be closer to the fact that most doctors are trained not to be emotionally attached to their patient.There is a good reason why doctors are discouraged ethically from treating their own ailing family members.
On this trip,Florin and I sought to see first hand how Malachi House worked.
Malachi house is a place which everyone on the palliative care rotation hears about so many times especially when the discharge of hospice patients is being planned.
The location of the house is symbolic.On the near end of the west of downtown,as we negotiated W28th street en route Clinton Avenue,one could not but note that the houses in this neighbourhood probably date back to the founding of Cleveland itself.
The location of the house is symbolic.On the near end of the west of downtown,as we negotiated W28th street en route Clinton Avenue,one could not but note that the houses in this neighbourhood probably date back to the founding of Cleveland itself.
When St Malachi church received a donation of 4 row houses in the mid 80s,the mission that had existed merely as an idea in human service gradually started to add flesh.By the time the house opened in 1988,more than 100,000 volunteer hours and massive trade union support had renovated this old property and turned it into a very functional and supremely conducive facility for the dying.
As soon as we were parked outside 2810 Clinton Avenue,the peace and tranquility was palpable even in an area of Cleveland not usually associated with those traits.The warmth and friendly atmosphere were personified by our contact lady Alice,the volunteer co-ordinator. Alice is the absolute Miss Malachi House.She exhibits all the values of care and sacrifice that inspired this mission.Alice calls every resident by their first names and has a special connection with each of them.She gave us a crash course in the history and tradition of the house.I was particularly touched by the little tradition of laying a red rose on the bed when a resident just expired.
Residents have stayed anywhere from just a few minutes to up to 4 years until expiring.Residents do need to have been accepted into hospice care with a reassessment every 6 months.
The house boasts a full coverage by registered nurses but cannot function as a regular nursing home.Hence,no regular hospital care is routinely delivered.Only oral medications are permitted and agitated residents may not be accepted.The way to see Malachi house is as a substitute home for the less priviledged dying patient with no family or whose family can not take care of them for some reason.
An extensive tour of the facility can only best be conveyed in images wh
ich I have posted in this article.
An extensive tour of the facility can only best be conveyed in images wh
ich I have posted in this article. We were informed that the mission accepts no payments from residents or their family members.Malachi house is supported exclusively by donations from philanthropists foundations and corporations.No dollar from the government.
My readers who may wish to donate to this noble cause can visit
http://www.malachihouse.org/index.htm
My readers who may wish to donate to this noble cause can visit
http://www.malachihouse.org/index.htm
OMC
No comments:
Post a Comment