Portrait of an artist: a final study

Karen M Pinsky1

  • 1New Orleans, LA.

Ochsner Journal
|December 23, 2011
PubMed

The life of an accomplished, independent 53-year-old woman is completely changed after surgery for a large, invasive spinal cord tumor. A lengthy, unsuccessful attempt at recovery and rehabilitation, compromised by multiple complications and hospitalizations, led to the patient's choice to come off the ventilator. Her end-of-life decision allowed her to die peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, all of whom were profoundly affected by the experience.

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