What Can We Learn From Albert Einstein (Again)?

The genius, Albert Einstein died on April 18, 1955, at the age of 76 from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. He was taken to Princeton Hospital but refused corrective surgery.  He famously stated: “I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially; I have done my share, it is time to go.”   In accordance with his wishes, his remains were privately cremated, and his ashes were scattered at an undisclosed location but not before the pathologist on duty, Dr. Thomas Stoltz Harvey, removed Einstein’s brain (without family permission…allegedly).  The good doctor preserved and studied the brain in pieces for decades. Yup! 

The National Museum of Health and Medicine has displayed microscopic sections of Einstein’s brain as part of an exhibit called “What Can We Learn from a Brain?” (Obviously, they were avid readers on this newsletter. Yes, I’m making it about me LOL).

So, what can we learn from the world’s most famous post-death specimens?

We can talk all about the differences between a living will and an DNRO (Do Not Resuscitate Order) also called the DNR. 

A Florida living will is a written directive stating what medical treatment you want (or don’t want) if you become incapacitated and are in an end-stage condition, terminal condition, or persistent vegetative state. It tells your doctors and loved ones whether you want life-prolonging procedures continued, withheld, or withdrawn when you can no longer speak for yourself. The living will can be drafted in advance and is considered an advanced directive document, part of the basic estate plan that everyone can benefit from.

A Florida DNRO is not the same thing as a living will. The DNRO is the specific Florida Department of Health form used for patients who do not want CPR if they go into cardiac or respiratory arrest. The current Florida form is DH Form 1896, and the Department of Health says it must be printed on yellow paper before completion to be legally valid. This document is drafted ONLY at the hospital (never in advance) when someone does not want medical personnel to perform CPR if a person’s heart or breathing stops. 

In short, the living will talks about not keeping someone alive in an incapacitated state (pulling the plug) and the DNR talks about not bringing someone back once they’ve coded (not performing heroic measures to bring someone back). Two related thoughts that are often confused. 

So, there you have it. We learn that a brain can become a lesson in more ways than one. We also learn that I’m craving a bagel right now LOL