Category Archives: Death and living while dying
We can own this issue
We can own this issue. We can engage medicine in the conversation. We can make it easier for the doctors to have the conversation. :- Doug.
As if this were the day?
The question of living while we’re dying is one of living with uncertainty in the extreme. We don’t know what the next test or procedure will produce, but can we not live and love as if this were the day … Continue reading →
Unless we so clench our teeth
There is nothing wrong with looking for minuscule possibilities of extending life or regaining health. Unless we so clench our teeth we do not live our lives now as fully as ever we can. :- Doug.
full life, when?
Ordinary medicine has its eyes on a someday far horizon; hospice on right now. Do you want to live a full life, when? :- Doug.
I am worried
I am worried. Words that fit for a client for whom I have had a call this morning. I am worried she is in extremis. These words both fit and are fit for our conference. I think from what I … Continue reading →
Choice of what kind of death
We now have the choice of what kind of death we want, although we haven’t yet realized it. This fact that there are few acute diseases anymore, that the trajectory is a long tail, gives us these choices. But we … Continue reading →
We grow weary
A new picture this morning about the dying process: not so much downhill as uphill: the road grows steeper as we go, and requires more energy, more traction, and we cannot. This seems more hopeful for some reason, more gentle, … Continue reading →
How will we know?
How will we know when to stop fighting for time and start meaningful living? :- Doug.
What level of being alive?
What level of being alive is tolerable to you? What is being alive? :- Doug.
How do we know when to get out the 17 Things?
How do we know when to get out the 17 Things (that is, how do we know when we might be dying)? The progress of the disease (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or end stage)? When the chance of cure is … Continue reading →
Last words:
Last words: write a few for a favorite comedian or cartoon character. Then write some for yourself. :- Doug.
Ars moriendi:
Ars moriendi: Art of the ends :- Doug.
How can we make end of life fulfilling, healing?
How can we make end of life fulfilling, healing? :- Doug.
butterfly flies and dies
The butterfly flies and dies falls and disintegrates smaller insects feast and eliminate earth is rejuvenated plants flourish and provide food we eat, we procreate, we die, after the butterfly wheels within wheels death but an arbitrary point life is … Continue reading →
Do you picture yourself
Do you picture yourself again running a marathon, walking the entire grocery store, babysitting the grandchildren for a week? What is your most realistic recovery? :- Doug.
Don’t make your doctor your enemy
Don’t make your doctor your enemy—enlist your doctor to do what you want. :- Doug.
Death happens
Death happens Get ready :- Doug.