A New Life, A New Heart

[DonH]

I think your concerns are well founded and no doubt come from your many years of experience in healthcare. What you fear happening could very well happen. I can't say whether what I'm about to suggest is right or wrong. I can just tell you what I would do - and I'd do what you are considering. However, here is how I would do it. I would first talk to CMM about this. I would not do it "behind his back" or without his knowledge. If he doesn't want to do it himself, he may still be okay with or even support you contacting them with his knowledge. If he is adamantly against it, I would then not go against his wishes.

If he is supportive or at least not against it, then I'd move forward, but here is how I would do it. I would use your position and background as a physician as part of what you do. Certainly you need to be clear that you are NOT HIS TREATING PHYSICIAN. Certainly don't try to falsify that piece. However, as you well know, people tend to listen differently and often respond differently when the person talking has "Dr." in their name. I can say the exact same things you might say, but you are going to be taken more seriously and with much greater weight than I would be as a Paramedic. It's just reality. I think they might be more apt to believe he may only have a few months left because you are a "Doctor".

I would tell them as frankly as you can that all you want to do is let them know what is going on. Tell them that you are very fearful that their father may die within the next couple of months. Tell them you are hoping and praying as well as doing anything you can to prevent that from happening but you know all too well that given what is going on he may not survive. Tell them you simply want them to know how serious this is in the event they would like to speak with or be with him. You then have to let them do what it is they are going to do.

Taking it a few steps further, should they decide not to contact him at this time, and should what you think may happen come to pass, I would reach out one final time when the end is very near and simply tell them, "I just wanted to let you know that it's very likely your dad will die within the next day or two" Again keep the frame of you just want them to be aware, lightly encourage, be open and welcoming but also accept whatever their decision is.

That's how I'd handle it.