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Being Mortal


An eye-opening and riveting look at how how medicine can not only improve life ...
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Have you ever lost someone you care about to serious illness? What is the best way to empathize and comfort those facing life-threatening illness? How prepared do you feel to do and say the right thing?

Created: 09/01/17

Replies: 4

Posted Sep. 01, 2017 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Have you ever lost someone you care about to serious illness? What is the best way to empathize and comfort those facing life-threatening illness? How prepared do you feel to do and say the right thing?

Have you ever lost someone you care about to serious illness? What is the best way to empathize and comfort those facing serious, life-threatening illness? How prepared do you feel to do and say the right thing when that time comes for someone in your life?


Posted Sep. 12, 2017 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
alycet

Join Date: 04/23/12

Posts: 182

RE: Have you ever lost someone you care about to serious illness? What is the best way to empathize and comfort those facing life-threatening illness? How prepared do you feel to do and say the right thing?

I feel like I have done everything wrong in these instances after reading Dr. Gawande's book. Hopefully in the future if I'm called upon again I'll be more understanding and able to comfort my loved ones.


Posted Sep. 12, 2017 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Marcia S

Join Date: 02/08/16

Posts: 505

RE: Have you ever lost someone you care about to serious illness? What is the best way to empathize and comfort those facing life-threatening illness? How prepared do you feel to do and say the right thing?

We need to be there physically and emotionally. We must try to understand what they are going through, and really listen to them. They don't want to feel abandoned. I've lost parents and in-laws to cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's. I do feel more prepared to face such situations in the future based on the knowledge I gained from this book.


Posted Sep. 13, 2017 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
juliep

Join Date: 04/07/12

Posts: 250

RE: Have you ever lost someone you care about to serious illness? What is the best way to empathize and comfort those facing life-threatening illness? How prepared do you feel to do and say the right thing?

I lost both parents in my 20s (they were in their 60s), so i know that I learned from that experience. Actually, I was surprised at the number of people who said nothing to me after their deaths, probably because they didn't know what to say! So I learned after that to at least say something to people who are suffering from illness or grief. At least they know you care.


Posted Sep. 19, 2017 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janp

Join Date: 05/11/15

Posts: 31

RE: Have you ever lost someone you care about to serious illness? What is the best way to empathize and comfort those facing life-threatening illness? How prepared do you feel to do and say the right thing?

I have lost family members and friends, the most recent being a dear friend who died recently. It was the first time I was allowed to be a part of someone's life to the end. When she was diagnosed all I told her was that I wanted to be with her in any way possible, whatever role she needed or wanted me to play. She went through 6 months of experimental treatment and lived life as full as she could til she decided she had checked all the boxes she needed to check. I don't know which of us was more blessed but I do know that we were there for each other until the end.


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