Seven Words

Abstract

On Being a Doctor16 February 2010Seven WordsPaul Rousseau, MDPaul Rousseau, MDFrom Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-152-4-201002160-00012 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Tommy was just 23 years old, yet he was dying. He was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at a young age and soon found himself confined to a wheelchair. Now, with the muscular disease suffocating his fragile hold on life, he was near death.Tommy had arrived at the hospital in respiratory distress. Per his request, his mother had decided not to intubate him and place him on a ventilator—he felt he had suffered enough. Although a young man of 23, his wisdom and courage surpassed his years. He soon became comatose, and I was consulted to discuss hospice placement with ... Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425.Corresponding Author: Paul Rousseau, MD, Medical University of South Carolina, 135 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425; e-mail, [email protected]com. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 16 February 2010Volume 152, Issue 4Page: 261KeywordsCaregiversComaCyclic adenosine monophosphateForecastingHearingHeartMusclesMuscular diseasesMuscular dystrophiesWheelchairs ePublished: 16 February 2010 Issue Published: 16 February 2010 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2010 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...