I'm saying goodbye as your Guide to Palliative Care.  It has been an incredible opportunity to write about my passion - compassionate and quality care at the end of life.  I'll be focusing more of my time on direct patient care as a hospice and palliative care nurse while working towards a master's degree in nursing.

I will always treasure the emails of gratitude and encouragement I've received from so many of my readers over the last few years.  It has been my biggest pleasure, knowing I've helped so many people learn more about palliative care, hospice care, dying, and grief.

We can stay in touch on Twitter (@angelamorrow).

Jack Kevorkian, the physician also known as "Dr. Death" for his murder conviction in 1999, met his own death early Friday morning.  Kavorkian was convicted of murder after broadcasting a video of himself injecting an ALS patient with a lethal dose of medication with the patient's consent.  Kavorkian himself admitted to assisting 130 people end their lives.  He was applauded by right to die groups and condemned by much of the public and the law.

Kavorkian was paroled in 2007 for decline in health.  The next year, he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in Congress.Kavorkian was hospitalized in Detroit last month for pneumonia and kidney problems.  According to his friend, he died early Friday morning in a Detroit area hospital.

Nobody wants to face death but no one can escape it.  We can, however, hope that our own death will be comfortable, peaceful, and personal.  Planning ahead and preparing for death is the best way to make sure your death is all of those things.  Follow these tips to prepare for your own death.

Preparing for Death

I was having my cup of coffee and watching the Today Show this morning when a story came on that nearly made me spit coffee into my oatmeal.  A young mother in Durham, N.C. is fighting to keep her kids after a judge cited her "uncertain future" as a reason for awarding her ex-husband full custody.  This young mom, you see, is undergoing palliative treatment for stage IV breast cancer.

Alaina Giordano was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer 3 years ago at the age of 33.  The cancer treatment put a strain on her marriage and she is now going through a divorce.  Her husband couldn't find work in N.C. so he moved to Chicago, which is where the judge is ordering the children, ages 5 and 11, to move in June - 300 miles away from their mom.

I'm appalled because I can't believe that a judge would take away a woman's children when her time with them is limited enough as it is.  This mom isn't abusive, addicted to drugs, or breaking any laws.  She is simply undergoing monthly cancer treatment in addition to going on with daily life as a single mom.

Yes, this woman's health is uncertain.  Her breast cancer is incurable (think Elizabeth Edwards) and her prognosis is uncertain.  She could live 5 more years, she could live 20, or, like the rest of us, she could get in a car accident tomorrow and die then.  In reality, isn't everyone's future "uncertain"?

The other reason the judge gave for her decision is that Giordano doesn't have a job and can't support her kids.  The judge stated that she should move to Chicago as well if she wants to see her kids.  How she is expected to work while raising two children on her own and undergoing cancer treatment is a mystery.  Isn't that what alimony, child support, and public welfare is for?  If there is a case that warrants public assistance, this would be it!

Giordano appeared on the Today show this morning in hopes that the publicity would help her find a pro bono attorney who will file her appeal.  If you have any family law attorney friends in North Carolina, pass this along!  You can also help spread the word by sharing this on Facebook or Twitter.