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Last words--let them be Thank You

Robert E. Johnson, a practicing anesthesiologist for 35 years, treating thousands of patients, has these comments on "last words" in JAMA, April 12, 2006, p. 1624.

"Few plan their last words. They usually speak them unknowingly. And I hope I'm not hearing them. I've learned to say some appropriate lines of explanation and comfort for trachael intubations though, and then pause. Patients usually respond, "Thank you." If they survive, nothing is lost, if they die something is gained. The light of their final gratitude can shine on memories of them forever."

And while I'm thinking of it, when you say "Thank You," wouldn't you rather hear, "You're welcome," rather than, "No problem," or "Bakatcha?"