Sunny Health

It’s well and good to want to challenge an undesirable fate, but there’s a fine line between having a strong will and being stubborn. When it’s time to let go, it’s time to let go. Clinging on relentlessly will only break your support, just like how the poor lady broke her family’s hearts when she spent her last months flying around instead of spending quality time with them. Worst, they even had to pick up the pieces for her.

Anyway, this episode inspired me to write about coping with death. Morbid stuff.

I can’t claim to be an expert because, well, because truthfully I’ve been fortunate enough not to experience it myself.

What, you’re still here?

Fine.

This is going to be awkward. But I’ll try. So as I was saying, when it’s time to go, it’s time to go. Just have to take it on the chin and deal with it. So how can you deal with death, be it yours or anyone close to you?

Well here are some ways:

1. Face the facts. Ok you’re dying. You just got the news. You’ll need some time to get over the initial shock. Most important thing is not to go in a state of denial.

2. Get help for you and your family. Chances are, despite getting over your death, you’ll experience the occasional urge to tear at your hair and scream “It’s the end of the world!” Now it’s perfectly normal to be upset, but don’t let yourself slip into depression. In NCCS, there are cancer support groups that cancer patients and their caregivers can turn to for help. Support groups are usually formed by a bunch of nice and knowledgeable people who’ve shared your woes, understand your fears and will have the relevant resources to help you with your doubts.

3. Leave your job. It would be sad having to work on your last day on Earth. Not to mention, you wouldn’t want your colleagues cursing you for dumping a pile of unfinished work on them. If you’re the sole breadwinner, arrange for your family to seek financial help. Support groups, as mentioned in point 2, will be able to give you relevant advice for this.

4. Trim off the loose ends. Nobody likes to pick up after someone else’s mess. Settle all outstanding issues like mortgage, rent, bills and other stuff. If you have to go, you’d rather do it with peace of mind. Likewise, don’t create unnecessary debts for them. It’s one thing if you’re seeking legitimate medical treatment for your condition, but a waste of time and money if you’re experimenting with alternative medicines. Why not spend the money on something nice, like a holiday for yourself and your family?

5. Writing your will. This can be in a form of an official document signed by a lawyer or even a video. Anyone that has helped you in a way, don’t forget to mention them.

6. Religion. Some of you may cringe at this but it’s ok if you don’t believe in an unseen power. For most of you, if ever there was a time to get close to your maker, now would be a pretty good time. Often meeting up with your local priest, Imam, monk will put your mind at ease better than most activities so it’s definitely worth a try.

7. Family/Friends This is often the most important but unfortunately the hardest part. Most of the time they’ll take it much harder than you. Maybe you don’t think too much of yourself but there are people who look up to you in more ways than you’ll ever know. So remember to show your love and appreciation for them as often as you can before it’s too late to do so!

Ok. That’s enough doom and gloom for a day. All this talk about death isn’t doing anything to keep my SPIRITS up? See what I did there? OK fine I’ll shut up now.

But seriously, make peace with this world. Tell the people who you’ve never had the courage to talk to what you think of them. After all, you wouldn’t want any regrets in your final moments would you?