In 2019, three community women asked to meet with me about a compelling community education concern. The spouses of these women had all struggled to use the VSED end-of-life option because our county’s only hospital, and associated hospice program, had religious affiliations and, therefore, was unable to support VSED.
After he died, Jean and her sister both looked at one other and said, “That’s how I’m going to die.”
“Death would not be called bad, O people, if one knew how to truly die.”
— Nanak
If love is not a disorder, illness, or diagnosis, then neither is grief.
“We reached the goal for patients like me, who aren’t terminal but degenerative, to win this battle, a battle that opens the doors for the other patients who come after me.”
In his mind, Mr. Solution had become the problem, adding to his grief and distress.
Given the fact of our mortality, whether we want it or not, aren’t we all members of a Date with Death Club?
“Last words—it doesn’t happen like the movies. That’s not how patients die.” — Bob Parker
“We are notorious for ignoring and denying death; we keep death out of sight and out of mind, postponing any serious considerations until death comes knocking at our door. This approach inevitably leaves us unprepared and frightened when we are faced with our own mortality. We seldom get around to asking ourselves seriously,“Will my death be good? Will it be wise? Will it matter?”
