Learning to Die: Medical Aspects and Palliative Care
Talking about death is not easy, but it is necessary and, in our opinion, essential.
Accepting our condition as finite beings allows us to face life in a fuller and more conscious way. Understanding that our existence has an end will help us to value each moment of life and of course to prepare ourselves better for our last journey, for the process of dying.
Pain and other symptoms.
One of the greatest fears in the face of death is pain – does it hurt to die? This is the big question we all ask ourselves. Physical pain can be managed with the help of health professionals, but emotional pain also needs attention. This is where palliative care becomes important.
It is vital that patients know their rights to appropriate treatment to maintain dignity and quality of life until the end, and it is also crucial to have open conversations with doctors and loved ones about our wishes and limits regarding treatments that will not improve the quality of our life. Talking with therapists, spiritual counsellors or simply with friends and family can provide the support needed to face the dying process with dignity and peace. And of course deciding when to let go can be an act of love and compassion, avoiding inappropriate prolongation of suffering.
Euthanasia
Although Euthanasia is a controversial and sensitive issue for many, in some places it is already a legal option for those suffering from incurable terminal illnesses.
Each person should inform themselves and reflect on this option, considering their values, beliefs and personal circumstances. It is a right to die with dignity, and each individual should have the autonomy to make decisions about his or her own end. Respect for patient autonomy is fundamental. We all have the right to make informed decisions about our treatment and care, including the creation of advance directives and the appointment of a health care representative who will respect our wishes when we are no longer able to express them.
Bonding
The dying process affects not only the patient, but also their loved ones. Full and honest communication with loved ones can help guide that emotional burden and allow us to cope with the loss in a healthier way. Using the remaining time to cope with the dying process and managing to resolve our conflicts and unresolved issues is crucial. Being involved, being at the side of our loved ones at this time, provides comfort to both the patient and their family and friends.
Ensuring that all the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those in need are met can make a huge difference to the end-of-life experience, strengthening our bonds with the people we love and making the dying process natural – in short, what it is, a natural and inescapable process of life.
Putting ourselves in front of our own dying process.
Accepting and naturalising death allows us to live with less fear and more serenity. TO VALUE OUR OWN LIFE, AND EVEN TO LIVE IT FROM ANOTHER PLACE. Talking about it, planning and preparing ourselves not only helps us, but also our loved ones, who will face our departure with greater peace, understanding its meaning.
IN CONCLUSION
Knowing and exercising our rights as patients is essential. We have the right to dignified treatment, to be informed about our choices and to make decisions about our own bodies. At the same time, it is our obligation to clearly communicate our wishes so that they can be respected, through the Living Will.
Facing our mortality is not easy, but it is a necessary step towards living and dying with dignity.
By accepting our finitude, we can make informed decisions, alleviate suffering and strengthen the bonds with our loved ones.
At ileave, we believe that we all deserve to die with dignity and to be treated with love and respect until the end. If you would like to find out more, attend our courses at the following link, and of course plan the process of dying through us, through ileave.