Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018 with funding from Kahle/Austin Foundation https://archive.org/details/bestcarepossible0000byoc_t6o3 The Best Care Possible This Large Print Book carries the * Seal of Approval of N.A.V.H. The Best Care Possible A PHYSICIAN’S QUEST TO TRANSFORM CARE THROUGH THE END OF LIFE M.D. Ira Byock, THORNDIKE PRESS A port of Gale, Cengage Learning GALE i% CENGAGE Learning* Detroit • New York • San Francisco • New Haven, Conn • Waterville, Maine • London / :# GALE 1% CENGAGE Learning' Copyright © 2012 by Ira Byock, M.D. Thorndike Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Neither the publisher nor the author is engaged in rendering professional advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained in this book are not intended as a substitute for consulting with your physician. All matters regarding your health require medical supervision. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion in this book. While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers and Internet addresses at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors, or for changes that occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content. Thorndike Press® Large Print Health, Home & Learning. The text of this Large Print edition is unabridged. Other aspects of the book may vary from the original edition. Set in 16 pt. Plantin. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA Byock, Ira. The best care possible : a physician's quest to transform care through the end of life / by Ira Byock, M.D. — Large print edition. pages cm — (Thorndike large print health, home & learning) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-4104-5214-6 (hardcover) — ISBN 1-4104-5214-X (hardcover) 1. Palliative treatment—United States. 2. Terminal care—United States. 3. Quality of life—United States. 4. Large type books. I. Title. R726.8.B96 2012b 616.02'9—dc23 2012024587 Published in 2012 by arrangement with Avery, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Printed in the United States of America 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 16 15 14 13 12 To Yvonne .