I have just finished reading this book written by Irvin Yalom and found it very good and if the topic is of interest or you have these fears I recommend that you read it.
"Ideas have power ... insights of great thinkers and writers .. help us quell roiling thoughts on death and discover meaningful paths through life." - page 77.
"Staring at the Sun is a profoundly encouraging approach to the universal issue of mortality. Dr. Yalom helps us recognize that the fear of death is at the heart of much of our anxiety. Once we confront our own mortality we are inspired to rearrange our priorities, communicate more deeply with those we love, appreciate more keenly the beauty of life, and increase our willingness to take the risks necessary for personal fulfilment"
Here is a very good book review of Staring at the Sun... Thethinkingmother.blogspot.co.nz You can buy the book and get preview at Amazon
About the title: "le soleil ni la mort ne peuvent se regarder en face" (You cannot stare straight into the sun, or death) Francois de La Rochefoucauld, Maxim26
I am interested in how others in our sarcoma community have handled this, for me this has been a real dread and something that it difficult to discuss with friends of family.
Have you some ideas or resources to share on topic on whats worked for you?
One of the good ideas in this book that I found gave comfort is called Rippling. Read an article by Yalom on rippling here http://www.therapytoday.net/article/15/11/categories/ .
I just read a good article on mindfulness meditation:
http://www.curetoday.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/article.show/id/2/article_id/1864
I am using a similar method although I concentrate on sounds or visual external details of life instead of my own breathing or my own body so there is no chance I'll get aware of something wrong with it (I don't want to become more hypochondriac!).
As for death, I find relief in thinking that the building blocks of my body will not die when I am gone, they will simply be recycled and participate in other forms of life. The only things that will die are my consciousness and my memories. Memories can be "saved" in writings. But consciousness is only to be enjoyed while it lasts... Make the best use of it!
Thanks Elodie , I like the article and concept of keeping “grounded in the present”; at one point I did some meditation and it’s a good reminder to do some more. This is a positive living life topic and when you start exploring this topic i think you logically break it down to the c0mponent parts and face your fears. “is it the process of dying”, “is in pain” etc. For me the base fear is that ME is not going to be around. ME wants to provide. ME wants to partcipate and see how it works out e.g kids kids, marriages etc. Once you identify the fears ideas help with eradicating or at least rationalising them so at least you’re not grid locked in anxiety and can get on with living and enjoying life now.
For me Rippling helps with this; ME although unique is significantly influenced by DNA, attributes, values, skills etc. passed on by others family and close friends. ME has had a full life and significantly positively influenced others and essentially passed ME on. Death is a humble act of letting go and having confidence that family and friends will go forth living and enjoying life and ME will be a small part in them all.
And the most exciting part is that it’s not all all over yet, and it the words of Louis Armstrong " there is a lot more living to do".
