Joe Guidry is the deputy editorial page editor of The Tampa Tribune. He is a Tampa native and a graduate of the University of South Florida. He is married and has an adult son.

Jeff Stidham

Jeff Stidham grew up and lives in Bartow. He has been with the Tribune for nearly 22 years, the last 10 on the editorial board.

William Yelverton

William Yelverton is a Tribune editorial writer who has worked for the paper nearly 22 years. He lives in the Dade City area.

Jim Beamguard

Jim Beamguard is a Tribune editorial writer. He is a native of North Carolina and a graduate of Davidson College. He and his family live in Brandon.

Jackie Papandrew:

Jackie Papandrew is a freelance writer and editor. Her syndicated humor column appears in publications in the United States, Canada and India. She lives in Largo with her husband and children. Visit her website at www.jackiepapandrew.com.

Camille Beredjick

Camille Beredjick is a senior at Chamberlain High School, an avid musician and a scribbler with a quirky sense of humor. In the fall, she will be attending Northwestern University to study journalism, political science and music, and she plans to pursue a career in journalism.

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Angela Hunt

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Sheryl Young

Sheryl Young was a Tampa Tribune Community Columnist in 2005-2006. A freelance writer since 1997, including the Tampa Bay Business Journal, Tampa Style Magazines, St. Pete Times and nationally in Better Nutrition, Today’s Christian Woman and more. She’s received a First Place Amy Foundation national "Roaring Lambs" Writing Award, and has lived in Tampa Bay with her family for over 20 years.

Christie Gold

Christie Gold teaches English and journalism at Freedom High School in Tampa where she advises Revolution, the school newspaper. She has been both the Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year and Florida Journalism Teacher of the Year. She lives on a small farm in Wesley Chapel where she trains as a competitive equestrian.

Natalie D. Preston

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Interests include humor, politics, economics, community and world affairs, finance, people, religion, music, sports, current events, the arts and education.

Nicole Yunger Halpern

Nicole Yunger Halpern is an undergraduate at Dartmouth College, where she studies everything she can get her nerdy little hands on. Desired major: life. No, not necessarily biology. Life.

Kris DiGiovanni

Kris DiGiovanni is a Tribune Community Columnist, Huffington Post contributor, Daily Kos diarist, and teacher, who recently moved from NW Hillsborough to another planet - a small beach community in Pinellas County. She also blogs at www.sandscript.wordpress.com

H. David Braswell Jr.

H. David Braswell Jr. is an Information Systems Professional. He is a native New Yorker and a lifelong NY Giants fan. He attended college in California (Cal State Northridge) and moved to Tampa in 1998.

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Sean Marcus teaches creative writing, journalism and reading at Chamberlain High School. He has one son and is expecting a daughter in early March. He can be reached at wuizabug@gmail.com

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This Grandma WANTS the Plug Pulled

Posted Aug 16, 2009 by Kris DiGiovanni

Updated Aug 16, 2009 at 12:51 PM

At the appropriate time, of course, as specified in my Living Will. Cheez Louise, I’ve heard a lot of crap this week about the supposed intent of page 425 of the House bill. If you believe the opponents of this clause, it’s a cleverly disguised plot by the gov’mint to turn us old folks into Soylent Green before we have a chance to become a burden to society.

But what it actually says is, “IF” you want to talk to your doctor what to do for you as you get ready to go into the light, that talk gets paid for by insurance. There’s no “death panel,” no “mandated” information, no “encouragement” to go quickly into that good night and save the rest of us some cash.

But folks get freaky about death talk. You’d be surprised how many of ‘em still secretly hold their breath passing a cemetery. Most of us would rather just pretend it isn’t going to happen. Those who accept their own mortality would just as soon not talk about it, thank you very much. They don’t want to “jinx” themselves.

But talking about death is exactly what needs to happen – and the sooner the better, for each of us. As a seasoned hospice volunteer, I’ve seen the strife that can tear families apart when the death of a loved one approaches. Trying to second guess what type of care is in the best interest of the dying is a gut wrenching experience. I can’t count the times I’ve heard angry and/or weeping relatives say things like, “She wouldn’t want that.” Yes, she would. You never understood her as well I do!” “That’s because you were always her favorite!” And it goes downhill from there.

Many times the conversation is not about what the person dying wants, but what the caregiver wants. “But I can’t bear to let him go just yet. It’s too soon!” “I know you said a feeding tube won’t really help, but I can’t just stand by and do nothing!” “I know he needs the medicine for the pain, but he’s so out of it, and I really need to talk to him.”

Get the picture? That’s why I have (and all of you should have) something called an Living Will. It’s a legally binding document that tells everyone how you want to be treated if you are unable to communicate your own wishes. For example: My living will says I don’t want a feeding tube. Since Margaritas’ aren’t considered “food,” I said, “No thanks.” My living will says I want music played at my bedside, even if I appear unconscious, and specifics the selections. I figured a little Death Metal couldn’t hurt, and it will totally annoy any guilty relatives hanging out at my bedside. I’ve also requested a certain Kermit the Frog song to be played when my ashes get dumped into the ocean.

You too can be in charge of your own demise. Don’t let your kids or your Uncle Harry tell the doctors what to do. There are any number of organizations that will set you straight on the facts. My favorite is Aging With Dignity Their “Five Wishes” plan tells your family and your doctors:

“Who you want to make health care decisions for you when you can’t make them.
The kind of medical treatment you want or don’t want.
How comfortable you want to be.
How you want people to treat you.
What you want your loved ones to know”

Now does that sound like euthanasia to you? Get the facts. Talk to your family and your doctor about a living will or other advance directives. Do it now. And support the health care legislation that will pay for it.

Comments? Email me at KrisDiGiovanni at gmail-dot-com

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