The Lees were finally allowed to bring Lia home, but just so that she could be comfortable in her predicted last few days of her life. This was not done because of the increased trust, but rather the belief that Lia would not live long enough for the trip to be detrimental. She beat herContinue reading Chapters 13 & 14
Chapter 13 & 14
Hmong culture regarding the traditions surrounding the dead and those who are rapidly approaching death is particularly nuanced in chapter thirteen. According to the Hmong, it is especially rude to use terms such as “when you die…”, or other phrases that imply the imminence of one’s death. This is because, unless you are intending toContinue reading Chapter 13 & 14
Chapters 13 and 14
In Chapter 13, we got a glimpse into what it was like for Lia to be transferred back to MCMC. This chapter seemed to be filled with miscommunications and missed opportunities for cultural competency to make for a better experience for both the hospital and the Lees. For instance, to the Hmong, it’s an extremeContinue reading Chapters 13 and 14
Chapter 13 and 14
In chapter 13 Lia returns to MCMC to be examined again. The doctors let the Lee family perform more traditional medicine and the relationship between the doctors and the Lee’s improve because of this. The doctors are more understanding because they believe that Lia will die soon. The Lees’s ask to have Lia released, and theyContinue reading Chapter 13 and 14
Chapters 13 & 14
The first paragraph of Chapter 13 answered my questions from the last blog post! I was so excited to see this and it got me excited to continue reading. In the minds of the Lee family, they were running to what they thought would be a better life so in their mind, it was worthContinue reading Chapters 13 & 14
Chapters 13 & 14
Chapter 13 continues to tell the details of Lia’s story and experience in the hospital. More specifically, it discusses her final days in the hospital and how they are addressing her medical condition. The chapter also discusses death and how the Hmong people address someone in their culture dying. I thought the tradition of bringingContinue reading Chapters 13 & 14
Chapter 13 & 14
The next two chapters follow the usual pattern of present and historical past. In Chapter 13 we learn about Lia’s severe health status when she returns to MCMC for an examination. While at MCMC there is a noticeable change in how doctors like Peggy and Neil interact with the Lia and the Lee’s. Their attitudeContinue reading Chapter 13 & 14
Chapter 13 and 14
In Chapter 13 the Lee’s go against doctors’ orders and disconnect Lia from any life-sustaining treatment in order to have her returned home. Lia’s parents stated that their experiences with Lia’s health and the American medical system is the most traumatic thing they have been through, even more so than their experiences as refugees fromContinue reading Chapter 13 and 14
The Spirit Catches You And You Fall Down 13 & 14
The Lees take Lia home after she has been declared brain dead. I was shocked by Dave Schneider, who took over Lia’s care. He mentioned that when he heard Lia was coming back to MCMC “basically brain-dead” his “heart sank” but shockingly it was not at Lia’s state but at the Lee’s return because heContinue reading The Spirit Catches You And You Fall Down 13 & 14
Chapters 13 & 14
Chapter 13 discusses the end of Lia’s time in the hospital. At this point she is comatose and the doctors believe that she is dying. It is interesting that now that Lia is dying, they are allowing the Lee’s to perform spiritual healing rituals because her wellbeing is essentially out of their hands. The shamanContinue reading Chapters 13 & 14