Right Brain: The Purple Scarf and the Cortical Ribbon

A patient with probable Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (CJD) who was previously a high-functioning financial analyst remains fiercely independent, despite her family’s concerns about her safety. As a trainee with limited experience in leading these difficult conversations, this neurology resident describes her experience reconciling the viewpoints of herself, the patient and her family. She reflects on the ability to reframe this delicate conversation from one of loss of independence in a patient with a rapidly progressive, neurodegenerative condition to one of safety, security and the care of her family.