Such an uplifitng conversation. I left with tears in my eyes and joy in my heart. These deep and important human messages of hope and joy for human existence are reflected in every word of this wondererful human beings philosophy. Inspiration like nothing else. Thank you Bruce and Eric for sharing. The bonds of human friendship as you both have obviously shared and still share, sustain us all beyond any fear danger or desperation.
As a person with AFib this conversation struck home. My family has some kind of genetic propensity for cancer as well. Both my parents, my uncle, my oldest sister- all died from it. My other sister and I survived it. I however am the only one with a heart condition. A question I ask myself but perhaps I should pose to the doctors is this: At what point should an old man who has secured the prosperity of his family simply stop taking the medications and precautions he is given, and simply let Nature take her sweet course? At what point should he sweep the bottles off the shelf and go outside to watch the birds, feel the breeze on one's face? Never go back into the sterile rooms of the hospitals with the pain charts and IV drips we know too well. Such an old man is not choosing death I think, but true life. The sweet course of us all. I am not asking for myself but for all of us. Something to ponder.
Thank you Dr Topol for posting this moving conversation . I was a cardiology fellow at ccf in the early to mid 90’s and well remember Dr Wilkoff ‘s kindness and patience as he tried to teach me about cardiac devices. Prayers for both of you
I am quite late in listening to this excellent interview, thank you Dr. Topol. Dr. Wilkoff's experience and way of thinking about sudden death have really impacted me - I too thought sudden death would be so much better, but then learning what I would miss has made me reconsider. I think people still do hope not to linger for years in a dementia haze, but having knowledge beforehand of one's end is not as scary as perhaps feared. I went to Dr. Wilkoff's Caringbridge page to share my thanks and unfortunately see that he passed away right after the new year. Even though I only got to hear from him for these 30-odd minutes on your podcast, he made a difference for me as well as so many others.
I'm from a family with the LMNA gene mutation. It was wonderful to hear this conversation and learn more about the person behind the devices that were recommended for my mother (early 90's), my brother (2001) my sister (2013 done at CC) and now my nephew (2021). I am stunned at the rapidly advancing nature of treatments in cardiology. This LMNA gene mutation is heartbreaking. I lucked out. No mutation. These devices extended the life of my siblings and prevented sudden death, although they're gone now. But my nephew is on top of it and living in Boston helps.
Such an uplifitng conversation. I left with tears in my eyes and joy in my heart. These deep and important human messages of hope and joy for human existence are reflected in every word of this wondererful human beings philosophy. Inspiration like nothing else. Thank you Bruce and Eric for sharing. The bonds of human friendship as you both have obviously shared and still share, sustain us all beyond any fear danger or desperation.
You've expressed just how I felt when we had the chance to talk. Thank you!
What an amazing conversation. This needs to be shared with all of our colleagues, students and patients.
Thank you very much.
Thanks John
As a person with AFib this conversation struck home. My family has some kind of genetic propensity for cancer as well. Both my parents, my uncle, my oldest sister- all died from it. My other sister and I survived it. I however am the only one with a heart condition. A question I ask myself but perhaps I should pose to the doctors is this: At what point should an old man who has secured the prosperity of his family simply stop taking the medications and precautions he is given, and simply let Nature take her sweet course? At what point should he sweep the bottles off the shelf and go outside to watch the birds, feel the breeze on one's face? Never go back into the sterile rooms of the hospitals with the pain charts and IV drips we know too well. Such an old man is not choosing death I think, but true life. The sweet course of us all. I am not asking for myself but for all of us. Something to ponder.
Thank you Dr Topol for posting this moving conversation . I was a cardiology fellow at ccf in the early to mid 90’s and well remember Dr Wilkoff ‘s kindness and patience as he tried to teach me about cardiac devices. Prayers for both of you
Terry Anderson
I am quite late in listening to this excellent interview, thank you Dr. Topol. Dr. Wilkoff's experience and way of thinking about sudden death have really impacted me - I too thought sudden death would be so much better, but then learning what I would miss has made me reconsider. I think people still do hope not to linger for years in a dementia haze, but having knowledge beforehand of one's end is not as scary as perhaps feared. I went to Dr. Wilkoff's Caringbridge page to share my thanks and unfortunately see that he passed away right after the new year. Even though I only got to hear from him for these 30-odd minutes on your podcast, he made a difference for me as well as so many others.
I'm from a family with the LMNA gene mutation. It was wonderful to hear this conversation and learn more about the person behind the devices that were recommended for my mother (early 90's), my brother (2001) my sister (2013 done at CC) and now my nephew (2021). I am stunned at the rapidly advancing nature of treatments in cardiology. This LMNA gene mutation is heartbreaking. I lucked out. No mutation. These devices extended the life of my siblings and prevented sudden death, although they're gone now. But my nephew is on top of it and living in Boston helps.