Say “I Love You’” With Dark Chocolate
Thanks to Valentine’s Day, February and hearts are synonymous. People in love spend time, money, and energy buying gifts—-often sweet, chocolate, …
Don’t Wait for a Divorce to Review Your Health Care Proxy
Make Reviewing Your Health Care Proxy in the New Year a Priority Besides losing someone because of a death, divorce could be the next most painful loss. It …
A Health Crisis and Family Dynamics
When people ask me about my family I usually answer, “I come from a dysfunctional Irish Catholic family.” That usually gets a good laugh—especially …
Ebola Virus 101
Everywhere you turn of late—-TV, newspaper, radio, the internet, the Ebola virus has been getting a lot of attention lately, and for good reason—it is …
Breast Cancer Crisis
“You have breast cancer.” You hear the words, you nod slowly toward the doctor, acknowledging her words, but not actually comprehending them. Your eyes …
How to Fight an Insurance Claim Denial
Do you figure the hassle of battling an insurance claim denial isn’t worth it? Think again! According to a recent report from the Government …
Parkinson’s and the Tragic Death of Robin Williams
by Betty Long ~ Who would have thought that Parkinson’s would have been the undoing of the comedic master. The tragic death of Robin Williams, an …
Being on the Other Side of the Hospital Bed
by Betty Long, RN~It’s not easy being on the other side of the hospital bed. For 28 years, I’ve been a registered nurse. And for the last eleven years, …
“Dying Gracefully”
by Betty Long, RN~Waiting outside a friend’s ICU room, I watched the change of shift last Wednesday evening. Watching the outgoing nurses exchange …
Hospice, Lighting Patients’ Way
A Story About Hospice,Not What You Think by Betty Long, RN~“Maybe I’m not dying after all,” she pronounced to me after an ambitious attempt at eating her …