Talking of this, she tries to inhale deeply. She manages only a labored sigh. If she could just talk. In libraries and bookstores, hundreds of books offer advice - how to prepare for death, think about death, talk about death. But with all this writing, there is little talking.
Medical professionals avoid words.
Carolyn Jaffe believes a slight distinction in words symbolizes a significant distinction in attitude. She helped found Hospice of Metro Denver in 1978. Everyone is so afraid to say it even though we are all headed that way. A poll for Scripps Howard News Service in June showed that 81 percent of American adults have never talked with their doctors about the medical issues of dying. Vilma Medrano has listened to plenty of doctors tell her how death will approach.