View Full Version : Terminal Diagnosis?
quadbliss
01-27-2008, 06:27 PM
Receiving a terminal diagnosis is like being shoved out of a plane. You are going along relatively smoothly. In fact you have almost forgotten that you are high in the air. Then, out of nowhere, some cosmic force rudely pushes you out the door. When you quickly realize you are free-falling without a parachute you are stricken with terror. This however, can be a pleasant, even exhilarating sensation if you see that there is no ground.
The opposite of death is not life. The opposite of death is birth. Life has no opposite. Life is eternal. :-D
Mike
http://quadbliss.com/
Marjorie R. Wilcox
01-29-2008, 11:16 AM
Mike, we just read this. It far surpasses anything we could have thought of... and is so profound.... we just want to write it down and share it with everyone we know.... and with others who are suffering. Words cannot express how much your messages mean to us. Bless you. Marjorie
Vicki S
01-31-2008, 12:48 PM
I agree Mike what you said really hit home. I'm going to share this with my husband as he so depressed that I'm going to die.
Vicki:-D
Blizna
02-29-2008, 07:42 AM
I can say I envy if you are religious and believe in anything higher..I have problems with coping "natural" death by age, but I understand thats why people invent gods.. Its so scary for me :(
quadbliss
02-29-2008, 02:41 PM
Blizna,
One of the fundamental characteristics of every object in our universe is change. From the individual cells in our bodies, to the stars that produce and sustain life, everything is in perpetual flux and will eventually shed its physical form. If we understand and accept this feature of reality, we will be happier and more content with our lives. If we deny this, or try to cling to the way things “should be”, we will suffer needlessly. This is especially true when confronting a progressive disease like ALS.
Let go of the past and future, and live in the present moment. It is all we really have. The past and future only exist in our minds. The moment we recognize this, we can begin to live life more fully. :-D
Mike
Steve100
02-29-2008, 05:08 PM
Hi Mike
Do you believe in an afterlife of sorts? Maybe along the buddhist model? I like to think there is. :)
Steve
quadbliss
03-01-2008, 04:53 PM
:Hi Steve,
My spiritual beliefs tend to be based on personal experience and scientific observation. Having never experienced death (that I recall :-D), I don't know what will happen, but I remain open minded. I don't fear death because it is a natural passage through which we must all navigate.
Mike
northerngirl
03-01-2008, 11:08 PM
Mike you are so inspiring. You are amazing and awakening. Thank you.
Lorie
03-02-2008, 08:00 PM
Mike- You are Awesome!
Steve- I think anything is possible.
Vicki- Tell Michael, You don't know when you are going to die. Keep his Spirit up. It is not going to help you with the constant reminder. Tim and I have already discussed the Death issue and had the Medical Power of Attorney done. And Living Will. I told him after we had that done. We now will concentrate on "Living" now that, that part is taken care of and behind us. Live, Live, Live!!!
I agree with Mike, Live in the Moment. I recently read: "Today is really our last day on earth, because we haven't live tomorrrow yet".
Lorie:smile:
Steve100
03-03-2008, 05:15 AM
I'm open minded too, we won't know until we get there. The way I see it is, there either is or is not life after death, its 50/50 whether it is or not, so why not go with with what feels right? :)
popfrank52
06-09-2008, 05:43 PM
I was diagnosed in June of 2006. I was told by a neuro who burst into the room, "Well, you have ALS". Truthfully I almost fainted. My first reaction was anger. I was angry with the neuros, my profession, damn near everything. My wife and I cried ourselves to sleep that night. We have 5 kids, 9 grandkids. I have everything to live for, I don't want to die.
I can't say I've come completely to acceptance, but I'm close. Truth is, we all have to play the cards we're delt. The rules are the rules.
I take Rilutek and vitimins. Tried Lithium, quit it because it affected my appetite.
I too use a bipap machine. I say no to vent, because by the time it's needed, it won't help me. A pulmanologyst told me I've lost 50% of my lung function.
In closing, let me say that there is always hope. I believe in God and believe that there is something better waiting.
Icanmanz
06-09-2008, 05:52 PM
Pop, welcome to our board. Lots of caring folks here. May God bless you. My friend, I am a Cals that been there, and done that, and I am still in pain. The pain never goes away. My son would have been 40 this June 18th. Instead of me giving him a birthday party, I will be visiting his grave. This is such a sad experience. May he rest in peace.
Irma
popfrank52
06-09-2008, 06:10 PM
Thanks Irma. Please call me Frank.
Icanmanz
06-09-2008, 06:20 PM
Oh, hi Frank! You must be young!! LOL How's Florida? Man, it's been warm here in South Texas! It's breezy, but hot!!! I have to water my lawn and plants every day, because the wind feels like "fire!" Take care!
Irma
Tganz
06-09-2008, 07:20 PM
Mike
To date your analogy has been the most profound I have come across. What an amazing way to think of things. I have read many similar observations but none were quite as articulate as this.
Thank you for making your thoughts available to those of us less able to form the words even though we might think the same things.
God Bless
Erin
sharonca
06-09-2008, 08:32 PM
I have been trying to figure out how to explain how I feel about afterlife without putting my personal religous beliefs into it. That I'm so serene about the death issue. I, too, believe that it is just a passage - not an end. I came up with the analogy that we are "here" and we are going to go "there". You need to cross a path to get there. My beliefs are that to get there you believe "A" and that takes you across the bridge from here to there.
Don't want to make anyone uncomfortable - just to know that I'm firm in my beliefs and that I'm "good to go". I'm not crazy about the process of ALS but truly I have not slept so soundly and so without stress in my life.
Sharonca
CindyM
06-10-2008, 02:43 AM
My Mom is at the end stage of her Alzheimer's and she is very weak. Every day when I visit, I tell her how much I appreciate all she did for us and how much I love her. Then I remind her of all the people on this earth who love her. I finish by telling her of all her friends and relatives who have gone to "the other side" and are waiting to "help her over."
It brings a smile to her face every day. But I do not think I would know how to talk with her about these issues if not for what have earned on these threads. Thank you all.
fiddleplayer51
06-10-2008, 10:44 AM
Cindy,
You're so sweet and I know you are a great comfort to your mother. I'm sorry she's declined so much.
I know what you mean about learning from these threads. I've learned so much here about these sorts of issues and what people think and do with their tribulations. Being a nurse on the oncology floor at our local hospital also has been a key role for me, and before even becoming a nurse I was a hospice volunteer in Vermont visiting people in their homes. What an eye opener! People are so amazing when put to the test, and the ultimate test most certainly is being faced with a terminal illness. I believe having to face such a diagnosis can be a stepping stone to new ways of thinking and viewing life (and death). It can actually be a gift.
Ten years ago I had breast cancer and it totally changed my approach to life. I've often been grateful to have been presented with a life-threatening illness because I think it helped me live more meaningfully.
You're great, Cindy, and in spite of trials you are faced with in your daily life, you are able to convey thoughtful responses to other people's posts.
Mike,
You're a wonder and I'm so grateful for the peace you have managed to find through your experience. I can see that your illness has changed you, too, as I read some of your comments on your beautiful website. My beliefs are so very much like yours. Thanks for being so articulate and not holding back. It's such a help to others.
Peace to you both,
Jane
quadbliss
06-10-2008, 05:27 PM
My pleasure, Erin! :-D
Your friend,
Mike
quadbliss
06-10-2008, 05:40 PM
Thanks, Jane. :oops:
CindyM
06-11-2008, 08:36 AM
Yes- thank you from me, as well, Jane. Your words are very sweet! :-D
JACKIEMAX
06-11-2008, 09:42 PM
some of you know me, some don't, but i read all these posts and have this, my own opinion and thoughts and beliefs to share. we don't 'invent' a god, God invented us.
and when you sadly say goodbye to your loved one with als, there is someone waiting for them with open arms saying, welcome to paradise.
jackiemax
p.s. my husband has had als for 2-1/2 years and says he 'wants to go home' and be out of his misery. i never thought i'd be willing to let him go, but he is suffering, and when he goes, i know he will be at peace.
hopingforthebest
06-11-2008, 11:11 PM
Dear Jackie
I so agree! God says, you deny me, and I will deny you! I believe that Jesus Christ is who He says He is, the Son of God, and no way to the Father but through the Son.
George tells everyone, if ALS takes me, I will be in the arms of Jesus, but do YOU know for sure where you are going?? No more pain, no more breathing issues, but absent from the body and present with our LORD. amen
In Christ,
Patty :)
