Welcome to Intensive Karen. I am writing this blog to bridge the gap that exists between the hospital environment and patients, including their friends and families, and especially in the way we talk about life and death. It’s not an easy topic for many people to discuss. I am convinced we can do better. People are ready to talk about the tough topics; for instance, what does “living” really mean to you, or what do you want (or don’t want) at the end of your life. I have had these conversations with my own family and friends. When my Dad suffered a cardiac arrest at home and was in a coma after life-saving efforts, my Mom and our family knew exactly what he would have wanted. There was no hesitancy in making decisions because we had talked about it so often. We were advocating for what he would have said if he could speak for himself. For many, unfortunately, these discussions are often delayed or only briefly touched upon and then critical decisions have to be made in the hospital setting in the middle of a family crisis, when timing is less than optimal. I see this over and over again in the ICU setting. And this I resolve to change.