For the last 6 or 7 days, I've been fixated on death, and not in a suicidal context. How do people normally handle constant thoughts about their mortality, and how can I stop this from crippling my ability to "live?"
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posted by Ashen
on Mar 19, 2013 -
45 answers
Recently I had a California Advance Health Care Directive drawn up (free when you buy a Will!) Whoa... this is a tough question! End of Life Decision:
A) Choice not to prolong life
B) Choice to prolong life
Which one should I pick? How do I go about picking one? More details inside
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posted by StrictlyVague
on Mar 7, 2013 -
14 answers
My uncle is dying - the doctor says days or weeks. I haven't said anything to him, or his wife, or his kids, since they got the cancer diagnosis a few months ago. Our families have had a historically fractured relationship, so it all feels very awkward to me. Please help me figure out what to appropriately say to them.
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posted by raztaj
on Feb 25, 2013 -
10 answers
It appears my Dad is in the process of dying - I'm mostly okay with that, but really struggling with the rest of my family. Could use some words of wisdom.
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 12, 2013 -
21 answers
I need suggestions of fictional or non-fictional books or films that deal with illness or dying in relation to humor/the absurd.
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posted by Felicity Rilke
on Sep 19, 2012 -
23 answers
My mother is going to die, probably very soon. How do I deal with waiting for it to happen?
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posted by heurtebise
on Aug 27, 2012 -
28 answers
My 90 year old grandmother is barely conscious, rarely eating, and is losing her mental faculties. I visit her every lunchtime to try and get her to eat. My mother (her daughter) takes the evening shift for dinnertime. I'm not coping well. Any suggestions to help me make this easier, so I'm not sobbing my heart out every day?
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posted by malibustacey9999
on Aug 14, 2012 -
41 answers
My husband has a few more months before cancer takes his energy, and then his life. We have a 17 month old son. My husband plans to write some letters to our son, but beyond that, I am not sure what to do to help my son know his father. Any ideas?
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posted by Mozzie
on Aug 13, 2012 -
62 answers
In the last year on our road into town in rural Vermont, we have seen the personal effects of 3 people who have recently died packed into dumpsters at the side of the road. In one case the family had a tag sale and sold all the valuable stuff (her crystal collection) and tossed the rest in the dumpster. For some reason this creeps me out big time and I don't want it to happen to me. Are there best practices for disposing of the personal effects of family members?How did your family dispose of the stuff of the deceased that you didn't want? Yes.... I know about a will and have one.
posted by Xurando
on Jan 22, 2012 -
20 answers
Hospice and palliative-care providers often tell patients' families and friends that as people die, hearing is the last sense to go. Is there any science behind the claim?
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posted by evidenceofabsence
on Sep 23, 2011 -
10 answers
How can I comfort the loved ones of a dying person I don't like? And the dying person themselves? Snowflake details inside.
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posted by katyggls
on Aug 19, 2011 -
26 answers
There will soon be a death in my family. I'm worried this one's going to be especially hard and I'm not sure what to do.
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posted by EatTheWeak
on Apr 19, 2011 -
19 answers
Funeral Question: So my grandmother died. The wake is on Thursday and the funeral is on Friday. I've never been to a funeral before and not any Catholic services before. What's expected of me? What can do to help? Or at least not make things worse?
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 21, 2011 -
32 answers
I'm terrified at the thought of dying and don't know what to do. I am not actually dying or sick in any way but sometimes I can't stop worrying about it. How can I stop, or feel better about it?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 12, 2011 -
40 answers
Philosophical approaches to death and dying. I am prepping a college course; looking for great readings on philosophical questions about death, but also: world religious/cultural traditions about dying/funerals/mourning/afterlife, how people in death-related jobs see their work (undertakers, hospice workers, doctors, chaplains, military/police...), writings of people who have terminal illnesses, psychological research on preparation for dying, etc.
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posted by LobsterMitten
on Dec 14, 2010 -
51 answers
I can't stop feeling guilty about not being able to visit sick family members or help them more. I'm scared of others dying or being sick.
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posted by KogeLiz
on Aug 12, 2010 -
5 answers
How best can I support my Mom and brother from so far away, other than calling them frequently? How can I stop thinking about the last days of my Dad's life and get over his physical "absence"?
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 30, 2010 -
9 answers
I recently found out my father is dying of cancer. We haven't spoken in over a decade. What are your experiences with reconciliation in this kind of situation?
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posted by Otis
on Jun 8, 2010 -
22 answers
My aunt has cancer. She has about six months left. How do I stop grieving while she's still alive? Is that possible? Also, if my grief is this bad already, what's it going to be like when she does die? Not so bad? Worse?
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posted by deborah
on Apr 28, 2010 -
22 answers
I would like to help my friends, if I can; two of them are individually dealing with incredibly stressful and sad health-related situations related to their parents.
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posted by taz
on Aug 8, 2009 -
7 answers
My mother has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She has decided to stop treatment as chemotherapy is not working and surgery/radiation is not an option. The oncologist estimates she has about one month left.
I have the option of taking FMLA and spending all of my time with her during her last days if I want. But I am not sure that would be the healthiest option for me.
My mother says just take a day or two a week and try to live as normal a life as possible. But I feel selfish living my life while she is dying.
Any one ever have a similar experience?
posted by burlsube
on Jul 9, 2009 -
36 answers
Does someone with a dying relative better understand what someone who has lost a relative is going through? Explanation inside.
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posted by anonymous
on May 4, 2009 -
12 answers
Cousin Zach is a sweetheart, but I don't have the time or inclincation to attend everything he invites us to. How to say no tactfully? Guilt is involved.
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posted by frosty_hut
on Jan 27, 2009 -
21 answers
Help me identify this quote about death, dying, and the end of the world!
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posted by Doug
on Nov 19, 2008 -
1 answer
My wife's beloved grandmother died yesterday and we are wondering how to explain things to our three year old daughter.
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posted by TedW
on May 22, 2008 -
17 answers
Looking for some source of a quote about, or the general idea that, we are all slowly dying, but some are closer than others.
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posted by jckll
on Nov 20, 2007 -
12 answers
I'm spending my Thanksgiving in Malaysia, visiting my one of my aunts, along with others in my extended family. I'm almost certain that this will be the last time I'll ever see her.
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posted by Weebot
on Nov 16, 2007 -
7 answers
Questions about the practical aspects of preparing for someone for death and things the survivors need to do after the death.
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posted by Brandon Blatcher
on Oct 8, 2007 -
14 answers
my mother was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. do any of you have ideas for little things i can do for her to remind her how awesome she is? girls especially. what are some of the best, most thoughtful things loved ones have done for you?
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posted by andywolf
on Mar 19, 2007 -
27 answers
What are the worst (natural) ways to die as an old person in terms of how it must feel for them? Are there ways to die for which the symptoms cannot be alleviated by medical means and it's just a completely dreadful existence until death? What fraction of people die old horribly?
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posted by vizsla
on Jan 17, 2007 -
31 answers
What should be done/said when the family gathers to witness someone's passing? I need planning to distract me.
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posted by vytae
on Dec 31, 2006 -
27 answers
