Known as Papa Pinot around the Northwest, pioneering Oregon winemaker David Lett was the first to plant the pinot grape in the Willamette Valley over 40 years ago. With that act, he started a legacy that has transformed the region into a worldwide respected winemaking area. We can all hope to leave such a legacy. Lett passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at his home in Dundee, Oregon at the age of 69.
I don’t often recommend that anyone live their life by the recommendations of advice columnists but I was impressed by Amy Dickinson’s recent advice to a 12-year-old girl who was struggling with stress a year after her mother had past away. The girl’s letter was heartfelt and honest and Amy, I think, gave some tremendous advice full of comfort and thought. Below is Ask Amy’s advice:
“All My Children” star as well as stage actress Eileen Herlie passed away on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at the age of 90 due to pneumonia. Herlie played the motherly Myrtle Fargate on the popular American TV soap opera for more than 30 years. She last appeared on the program in June 2008. Before joining the ranks of soap opera characters, she was a bright Broadway star, playing in Thornton Wilder’s “The Matchmaker.” She also performed in “Take Me Along” with Jackie Gleason and “All American” with Ray Bolger. She was nominated for a Tony for her performance in “Take Me Along.”
Researchers in Boston have concluded that having discussions about end of life care with your doctor not only benefits the health of the dying but also helps the loved one during the grieving process. The researchers found that of the 332 people that tracked who had advanced, incurable cancer, only about 1/3 of them ever talked about their end-of-life care options with their doctors. Per Joe Rojas-Burke who blogged on this subject, “The discussions did not trigger depression or worry. On the contrary, the patients received earlier hospice care, reported less suffering during their final weeks and underwent fewer invasive treatments near death than patients whose doctors avoided such discussions.” The results of these findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
As the holidays approach, there are many of you that will be revisiting moments of sadness and loss. Family holidays and functions remind us of the good times we spent with our loved ones and often times can recreate the grief of that loss all over again. Several clinics and hospitals in the Oregon area are providing sessions for the grieving during this time of year. Below are just a few available in October.
