Death and Life

The Importance of Game Playing

by Lori LoCicero

I’ve always been a huge fan of games. I have fond childhood memories of a game closet filled with options and the endless hours spent playing pinball with my brother, card games with my mom and dad and Mahjong with my grandmother. This past holiday break, I stirred up those pleasant memories...

On the 4th Anniversary of my Grandma's Death

by Lisa Pahl, LCSW

Today, I remember my grandma before the dementia days. A strong German woman who subscribed to routine and hard work. We used to have family dinner at my grandparents every week while my brother and I were growing up. Sunday menu never varied; a baked ham, a bunch of hot dogs to supplement the ham that ran out, boiled potatoes, white Tupperware filled with beets, another Tupperware filled with carrots, and then being that they were bean farmers, a giant bowl of typically now lukewarm beans. Zucchini bread for desert although once in awhile some Neapolitan ice cream. Every week of my childhood this was the Sunday meal at grandmas house. The woman loved her routine.

Why are we avoiding talking about death?

by Lori LoCicero

I thought we were prepared.

Will. Check. Advance Health Care Directive. Check. Life Insurance. (Thankfully) Check.

Final wishes, thoughts on leaving a legacy, funeral/celebration plans, end-of-life requests...Nope. None of these had been covered.

Questions at End of Life

by Lisa Pahl, LCSW

“Tracy” was one of the most direct people I ever met. As she said from day one with hospice, she tolerated no bullshit. Tracy did not want a nurse who was going to be sweet and soft-spoken. She wanted her entire hospice team (nurse, social worker, chaplain, bath aids) to “tell it like it is.”

Dad and daughter, many years after initial cancer diagnosis

My Dad's Cancer Diagnosis Changed Our Family

by Lisa Pahl, LCSW

Upon leaving the hospital, I saw a different man emerge. This man cried. He wrote in a journal every day. He became sentimental. He asked questions about my life.

Lisa & Lori Talk About Death

by Lori LoCicero

Hospice is an unlikely place to meet a future business partner. But that’s exactly where The Death Deck creators Lisa Pahl and Lori LoCicero met.

Our cat is teaching our son about aging and dying.

by Lisa Pahl, LCSW

T-Bone is helping us teach our son that we take care of the ones we love. That, as we get older, we can’t move as fast and we may need help. That, as she ages, T-Bone continues to contribute to our family through her love, her sweet little snores, the comforting presence she provides each of us on rough days. She’s slower and plumper, but also patient and gentle.