The book that is changing how we understand death: “I'm still here, I haven't left” by Dr. Asan

The professional explores how palliative care helps terminally ill patients and their families face the end with dignity and spiritual meaning

By Noelia Gomez

[”I'm still here, I haven't left” can be downloaded for free until Sunday, August 4, by clicking here.]

Dr. Pablo Gabriel Asan He recently released his book titled I'm still here, I haven't left: Colloquiums on life and death. This first edition brings together dialogues and experiences shared by Asan with patients on their deathbed, as well as reflections on universal issues that affect humanity.

In his book, Asan He shares his experiences with people who are in their last moments of life. “When a loved one approaches his or her departure, an inevitable feeling of anguish and sadness invades us,” the author maintains. These experiences and dialogues with patients on the deathbed address profound aspects of human existence and seek to provide comfort and understanding to those going through similar moments.

The main objective of I'm still here, I haven't left: Colloquiums on life and death is to offer a space for reflection on the progress of the soul and its elevation. Asan points out that “the soul, the essence of life and content of our body, must be the motive and driving force to play our best role in the plane that we have to navigate.” These words invite readers to consider how their actions and personal growth can influence their legacy and the well-being of their loved ones.

The work also addresses the importance ofemotional and physical support during difficult times. “We must overcome these feelings of anguish and sadness by surrounding ourselves with those who give us the necessary strength, energy and company,” he suggests. Asan. This recommendation emphasizes the relevance of the environment and palliative care in the process of accepting and facing death.

Asan He states that his experiences with his patients have not only allowed him to learn about the fragility of life, but also about the strength and resilience of people in critical moments. Through a series of dialogues and anecdotes, the author delves into the life lessons he has acquired throughout his career.

Pablo Gabriel Asan, doctor and journalist, specializes in Family Medicine and Palliative care. He currently works at the clinic “CCP BAIRES,” located in the Barracas neighborhood, in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. This clinic is recognized for its focus on palliative care. In addition, Asan was part of the FLENI Pain Medicine team and currently contributes to the medical team of the Honorable Chamber of Deputies of the Argentine Nation. She is also part of the Family Medicine staff at the Center for Medical Studies and Research. CEMIC.

In the book, Asan It also reflects on the connection between the progress of the soul and the way loved ones remember us after we are gone. “Achieving the greatest progress as a soul makes our environment miss us with our departure and wish to see us again sometime,” he mentions in one of the most notable passages of his work. These reflections invite readers to consider how their actions may impact not only their own spiritual path, but also the memories they leave behind for their loved ones.

Pablo Gabriel Asan, with her new book, offers an intimate window into her medical practice and the experiences that have shaped it. Her words serve not only as a guide for those going through difficult times, but also as a testimony to the importance of palliative care and emotional support in the treatment of terminally ill patients.

—How did the idea to write this book come about? Did you feel that more information was needed about death and palliative care?

—I had read many books on these topics, but I felt that something crucial was still missing. Although palliative care has existed since the 60s in other countries, in Argentina it has only gained relevance in the last two decades, especially since the law was passed five years ago. Many books focus on technical aspects such as patient treatment and medication administration, but few address the patient-family relationship, which is the heart of palliative care. There weren't enough books that shared the stories or teachings that patients leave us, how to help families grieve and transcend. I believed it was important to fill that gap from my experience, especially because no medical degree teaches palliative care as a specific subject. I wanted to make this visible so that in the future its importance is recognized and it is formally integrated into medical education, equating it with other fundamental areas of medicine.

—And why do you think that happens?

—It is a new approach in Medicine. No one teaches us how to communicate bad news, how to support the patient and family, how to guide them in grief, not only from psychology. Doctors must also be prepared in emotional and spiritual aspects, not only in technical and numerical aspects. I believe this is due to entrenched educational programs that have not been updated in years, where pharmacology continues to be prioritized without giving enough space to holistic medicine, which is just as crucial.

—How can a doctor be rational and empathetic when communicating bad news?

—It is our obligation to be empathetic and it is a patient's right to have at their side a professional who values ​​their dignity and respects their person. When we communicate bad news, we are marking a before and after in the life of the patient and his environment. It is crucial to understand that emotions, affections and spiritual spheres are involved. Therefore, we must approach this moment with due care and respect, choosing the right time and place, and making sure to first probe what the patient wants to know. It is essential to be completely honest, because the patient has the right to know the truth. This responsibility entails avoiding any psychological damage, offering support to mitigate the pain that the news will inevitably cause.

—Coming from medicine, why did you decide to include a chapter on the soul?

-I believe in the existence of soul and in its transcendence through different bodies, seeking to evolve according to the actions we carry out and the impact we have on others and on ourselves. There is a rich documented tradition that speaks about the soul, its transition after death and its search for perfection over time. I believe that it would be superficial to limit life solely to physical-chemical processes, focused solely on daily activities such as studying, working and sleeping. I believe that recognizing the dimension of the soul enriches our understanding of life and our purpose here.

—Has talking about these topics with colleagues brought you conflicts?

—Yes, of course there have been conflicts. Mainly with psychiatrist colleagues who, like Brian Weiss and Michael Newton, experienced physicians with extensive literature support, have explored and documented these topics in depth. Some colleagues have suggested that I leave these topics aside, considering them irrelevant. However, I believe that each person must find internally what resonates as their own conviction. For example, a colleague may read the same book as me by Brian Weiss and dismiss it as trivial, while it may be a favorite book for me.

—How did the experience you had with your patients influence the book?

—My experience with my patients greatly influenced the book. In schools they teach us how to save lives, but they do not prepare us to accompany people to the end of theirs. Palliative care is not only about the end of life; They also include support for chronic diseases that can last for years. It is crucial to see the patient and her family as a whole and understand that we will all eventually face death. Prevalent diseases such as cancer, dementia and chronic illnesses force us to implement care that integrates the medical with the emotional and spiritual. Healing also involves ensuring that the patient can leave in peace and comfort.

—Why did you decide to organize the book into chapters with particular cases?

—Each of these cases left me valuable lessons throughout my experience, as seen in the book. Patients are my true teachers because they teach me how to manage emotions, how to address anguish and sadness. They are the ones who have trained me as a professional and have taught me more than any pharmacology book. You may be a theoretical expert, but without an emotional connection to the patient and their family, you can't provide much. The cases I chose for the book represent key examples of each of those themes.

—To what audience did you want to direct the book?

—Initially I wrote it mainly for family members and caregivers, whether direct family members or hired ones. However, I was pleasantly surprised that it also captivated many nursing staff. I realized that I achieved my goal when I received sincere and emotional feedback mainly from family members and caregivers of patients. Even some patients of mine who read it have told me that they had never found a book like this, that they felt deeply identified with it and that it helped them unblock emotions related to their illness. That really fills the soul. Honestly, I didn't write it with healthcare professionals in mind, but rather for people outside of the medical field, although I also tried to express it using accessible, non-medical terms.

—Why did you choose the palliative care branch?

—As a family doctor, my specialty has always been to care for the entire family as a whole. During my rotations, I had the opportunity to work at the CCP Baires Clinic, where I currently work and where most of the cases in the book arose. I arrived at that clinic without knowing much about palliative care, but there I learned to see the patient holistically, not only treating physical symptoms, but also emotional and spiritual ones. I realized the importance of addressing the psychological and social sphere of the patient, and of having deep conversations with families. I saw doctors hugging family members, holding hands with patients and their loved ones, something rarely seen in an acute care setting. I was deeply drawn to palliative care's ability to meet the needs of the soul, even when a terminal illness cannot be corrected. I decided that this was my calling. Before finishing my training in Family Medicine, I began working on call at this clinic, absorbing all the knowledge and terms related to palliative care. I then completed a postgraduate degree and fully immersed myself in this field, committing to offering serious and responsible palliative care.

Source: Infobae.com