KevinMD January 11, 2026
Holding my mother in my arms as she took her last breath changed the way I understand care. That moment, Easter Monday in Canada, was heartbreaking and transformative. Her unwavering faith and peaceful passing contrasted sharply with the confusion that followed when CPR began despite her do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. I felt helpless.
The experience became the catalyst for my commitment to advocacy and ethical clarity. It taught me that even well-intentioned interventions can violate patient autonomy and erode trust when systems fail to honor advance directives.
When grief became a bridge
Returning to the U.S. for my residency, I encountered a similar situation, this time supporting another daughter as her mother underwent resuscitation. My own grief became a bridge, allowing...
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