TCM-Re:pain+life+death discussions

[Guest guest]

andrea, i figure this about your exp. w/pts who respond w/more vigor 4 life

after discussing death's potential + possibility: it reiterates 4 me that when

folks are busy fearing death, they truly aren't free 2 live, are they? i know

this reflects what i've observed, as well. lynn

 

[] wrote:

I agree, Phil and Christopher.

 

When I was a student, I had the opportunity to spend one of my apprenticeship

shifts treating terminally ill patients at San Diego Hospice. It was awesome

working in an environment where it was expected that all of the patients would

die sooner rather than later. All the staff was focused on the same goal -

helping the patient be most comfortable during this transition, and helping them

feel complete as their lives came to an end. In addition to treating patients,

we also treated their families and any staff members who welcomed our medicine.

While the most common thing we did was relieve pain and other discomforts, we

also helped people die peacefully. It was an interesting twist in my training,

otherwise focused on helping people get better, and I still think of it in my

practice, especially with new elderly patients with myriad health complications

who seem close to the end of life. While I never want to discourage people from

living as fully and healthfully as

they can, sometimes I think it is important to acknowledge openly with patients

that dramatic recovery is not a realistic or likely goal, even though I believe

in, and have seen miracles from time to time. I have never had a patient get

angry with me for this conversation. Some get sad, some fearful, but most are

grateful for the permission to think about dying, and the opportunity to assess

their priorities and get their affairs in order. Some even find it a relief and

relax for the first time in years, prompting an unexpected improvement in

symptoms which improves their quality of life, and I think, also extends their

lifespan. While I don't have this conversation with patients often, I am not

hesitant to have it because I see this also as part of my role as a healer.

 

 

" Christopher Vedeler L.Ac. " <ckvedeler wrote:

Nicely said Phil.

 

I'm teaching OM Psych again in January and will be devoting half of a class

to the topic of treating the terminally ill and death. This thread is great

class material!

 

Life and death are two sides of the same coin. They exist together. They

are Yin and Yang and can never be separated. Loving one and hating or

fearing the other forces a schizophrenic like break in the mind. I don't

believe a person can be truly happy or content until they can come to love

both life and death.

 

To me there is something quite magical to be in the presence of a terminal

patient. Not always, but often, a certain nobility, honesty and love seems

to radiate from them. Their time is too short to put on the mask and do the

ego dance that most of us do unconsciously of trying to look good, make

money etc. It is refreshing. Their priorities are right on the money.

They are like Buddha's to anyone with the courage to listen.

 

Phil Wrote:

 

Instead, I half-heartedly assess, treat for nausea, and know that I will

fail,

because the point is no longer to follow the dragon, but rather to provide

some comfort and improve quality of life in the face of our collective

failures

to force this person to continue living. For me it has become the difference

 

between flowing and damming something up. Trying to " stop " death. As if

that wasn't a transformation. Buying into our primitive and yet very modern

fear of endings...yes, I'm terrified of death.

 

" We are only passing through " is an old Irish saying. It means that we are

all

terminal; it is only a matter of time - a day, month, year, decade or

century

before we move on.

 

Whether one is just born, or 99 years old, life is transient and death is

waiting. People with this knowledge / philisophy are not afraid of death; it

is

only the natural transition to the spirit world.

 

But, while we live in the flicker of the candle, we should enjoy life and

fill

every waking minute with work / play / actions / thoughts that others can

share and from which they can grow / find happiness and personal

fulfilment.

 

IMO, professionals who can help others to die well and at peace with

themselves, their family & friends and their G_d are doing a fabulous job.

 

Best regards,

 

 

 

 

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