Are You Scared Of Dying? [Archive]

echnidna

23rd June 2007, 11:41 PM

Lets face we all are or we wouldn't have lived long enough to be online here.

What I mean is are you really really scared of dying.

I've had a couple of friends get health problems and it terrifies them so much that unmitigated fear ruins the rest of their life.

Barry_White

24th June 2007, 12:16 AM

Bob

I for many years never ever gave any thought of dying. I have had a goal of living longer than my father who died at 56 and my mother who died at the age of 68. This year I achieved that.

Two years ago when I had my heart operation I didn't know whether I was going to pull through but the most amazing thing was that I had no fear and felt very calm about it in fact every one else was more concerned than what I was.

I can understand how some people would feel but I suppose it depends on what our beliefs are than can help us. My greatest worry is how the ones you leave behind will fare.

johnc

24th June 2007, 12:24 AM

I have no real fear of death, but hope the dying bit is fairly painless. It would be nice to see children married and established, and grandchildren well on their way. Can't see much point in getting overly concerned about one of lifes certainties, but don't want to go to early if possible.

DavidG

24th June 2007, 12:32 AM

I reckon that every day I wake up is a good one.
One day I won't wake up and that will stuff up the rest of the days.

Death - Who cares.

Getting there... Dont wish to go out in agony or a long slow lingering.

Skew ChiDAMN!!

24th June 2007, 12:49 AM

Ditto. Death doesn't worry me... It's not like I'll know about it, eh?

On the other hand, pain terrifies me. I can't think of anything worse than a long, protracted and agonising death because of some politician's agenda. :oo:

Ashore

24th June 2007, 01:15 AM

I have no intention of dying and am willing to bet that I don't and will even give odds that I won't die,,,,,,,,,,,,,, as long as I hold all bets , :D

craigb

24th June 2007, 01:36 AM

Yeah, I was worried that my pants were going to turn out tie dyed instead of just plain chartreuse. :oo:

I almost died from the anxiety. :p :wink: :D

Munga

24th June 2007, 06:29 AM

Livings pretty good and I guess being dead won't worry me its just that little bit in between them that cauld be a concern.

Honorary Bloke

24th June 2007, 07:36 AM

I can't remember who said it, but my motto is (paraphrased):

"I know everyone has to die, but I am sure God will make an exception in my case."

Sebastiaan56

24th June 2007, 08:11 AM

I dont know. If Im really honest its the thought of the prelude to dying that is more worrying. My father is going through demetia end a bone cancer, so there he cant wait to get off the bus. I also watched my ex FIL die of Mesothelioma. He ended up hanging himself in his shed the morning he was due to go in to hospital for experimental treatments. Dont blame him.

I just want to face the end with dignity and not end up like the old joke.

"how did your old man die?"
"he turned blue and then sh#t on the rug"

Sebastiaan

jmk89

24th June 2007, 08:18 AM

Nope. But I will miss the wife and kids and I would like to be better at wood-stuff before I go. And I hope that the manner of going can be dignified.

speedy

24th June 2007, 10:57 AM

I came close to death a few years ago in a motorcycle accident, I don't fear death but I'm not ready to go just yet. I'm like Barry my father died at 54 and I would like to out live him, my mother is still alive at 75 so I don't know if I'll make that.
I know a guy who recently died from cancer when he found out he only had 6 months, a friend of mine who is also a paramedic said to him you can take things easy and try to make your final days comfitable or you can have all the chemo etc the doctors want and be in misery. He chose to fight and lived his final months sick and in misery and still died after 6 months.

Big Shed

24th June 2007, 11:09 AM

I had stents put in a couple of years ago, like Barry said the people around me were more afraid than I was. I remember driving down to Melbourne and looking at the beautiful country side and thinking: "I might not see this on the way back, I might be in a box".

An episode like that does wonders to focus the mind and puts a lot of life's little problems in perspective.

I think Allan at Wallan sums up dying very nicely:

I am not at all worried about dying
... but just hope I am not there at the time:rolleyes:

munruben

24th June 2007, 11:20 AM

Read my sig:D

tameriska

24th June 2007, 12:15 PM

Tankstand

24th June 2007, 12:16 PM

Not worried about it as long as I don't burn to death! :oo:

Article99

24th June 2007, 12:44 PM

Provided I'm sideways at some ridiculous speed when it happens, I won't mind. :2tsup:

dai sensei

24th June 2007, 01:45 PM

I was born with a few things wrong on the inside and wasn't supposed to make it. Many doctors advised my mother I wouldn't make it past 4 weeks, then 1 year, then 5 years, then 10 etc. When I got to 21 they gave up with the advise and why I don't hold a high regard for them. So I have lived with the thought all my life, but not worried about it.

After training in martial arts for quite some time I was awarded my Bushido cross, and although it is more to do with the style of martial arts, Bushido is amongst other things the acceptance of death. I wear it with pride to this day.

After 2 divorces and my kids taken interstate for a while, I have seen the darker side of life where death would be a relief. Hopefully all that is behind me now, I look forward to grandkids and more woodworking in my retirement :2tsup: But if I died tomorrow, I am happy with my achievements, my kids are old enough to look after themselves, and I know my kids would be finanically looked after through my insurance, super and my will.

ubeaut

24th June 2007, 02:02 PM

:rip: DEATH.... Been there done that. :angel: First time dead didn't kill me so the second time holds no fear for me.

Now pain, on the other hand........ :crutch:Got a pretty high pain threshold after living with almost constant pain for over 35 yrs, but really don't relish the thought of a long and painful exit from this life.

Just give me drugs and I'll go quietly and happily. :coolio:
:repplus:

Neil :U

Rossluck

24th June 2007, 02:40 PM

After 2 divorces and my kids taken interstate for a while, I have seen the darker side of life where death would be a relief. Hopefully all that is behind me now, I look forward to grandkids and more woodworking in my retirement :2tsup: But if I died tomorrow, I am happy with my achievements, my kids are old enough to look after themselves, and I know my kids would be finanically looked after through my insurance, super and my will.

Only one divorce for me, but I'm with you. Well said. :D :D :D

Doughboy

24th June 2007, 02:59 PM

I have seen the other side and it is not all it is cracked up to be!

Next time I'll take the left turn instead of the right and maybe things will be better.

I like life at present and would like to see the kids grow a bit more before I part this life for the next.

Metal Head

24th June 2007, 03:07 PM

Hi,

Well I took 5 weeks longer to come into the World than I should have, so I dare say I will be as stubborn leaving it:wink:. I have been in situations when I thought my time may have been up but I luckily got by. Having lost my only sister 14 years ago to cancer, I take every day as a bonus and try and make the most of it. Should I die tomorrow I will die happy having been born into the best family in the World and have married the most beautiful woman in the World.

They say there are 2 certainties in life TAXES & DEATH I wonder if the death rate is higher at this time of the year given that the end of the tax year is nearly upon us:?.

Regards
MH

mic-d

24th June 2007, 03:12 PM

http://www.quotationspage.com/subjects/death/
I like Isaac Asimov's quote:
Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome.

Cheers
Michael

woodbe

24th June 2007, 03:27 PM

Spike Milligan's tombstone is apparently inscribed:

"Dúirt mé leat go raibh mé breoite."

in English: "I told you I was ill"

Personally, it's not so much the fear of dying, as the fear of no longer being alive that worries me most. I guess, quick and painless would be my wish, but with enough time to say goodbye...

woodbe.

Skew ChiDAMN!!

24th June 2007, 04:28 PM

Reminds me of a tombstone we saw when researching the family history. No name or dates, just something along the lines of:

"Quare es vos superstes hic? Vado! Ago!"

That's not an exact quote; my memory's not that good. :- It intrigued me, so on returning home I did some translation and came up with:

"Why are you standing here? Go! Live!"

:D

Iain

24th June 2007, 04:52 PM

One day I shall discover if there is life after death, and you'll never know what I found, for a while anyway.

les88

24th June 2007, 05:17 PM

Are you scared of dying not at all until the specialist says if you don't have your prostate removed you will be dead within 6 months get your things in order. So of course out comes the prostate and we will worry about incontinence and importance later. The first PSA reading is 6 instead of zero.The specialist ways ???? that was a waste of time. Now I am getting scared, don't worry I have medication that will slow the cancer down, and so it did. I started a new life I joined a Clay Target Shooting Club and shoot three times a month. I play snooker every night with a few scotches can't drink beer anymore. I cleaned up my old tools, bought new ones and [work in the shed all day when I can]. Oh the cancer it has started again, but I am now not scared, but I think that we all need a quick way out If the quality of life gets too bad. Now on the lighter side I need so help with choosing a bandsaw it is under another post.

Toolin Around

24th June 2007, 07:46 PM

:rip: DEATH.... Been there done that. :angel: First time dead didn't kill me so the second time holds no fear for me.

Neil :U

Do tell

ozwinner

24th June 2007, 08:38 PM

and have married the most beautiful woman in the World.
Regards
MH

That cant be right?
Unless there are 2 most beautiful woman in the World.:U

Al :2tsup:

watson

24th June 2007, 09:20 PM

No Al,
There are 18 of them...............Good Old Collingwood Forever!

Buckley's chance.....:D

And in answer to the original question..........no...no fear of dying!

manoftalent

24th June 2007, 09:37 PM

ok you can quote me on this ......"I am too busy Living to fret about dying":2tsup:

zenwood

25th June 2007, 12:43 PM

I put lots of time and energy into staying alive: eating, looking both ways before crossing the road etc. In this sense I 'fear' death.

Most deaths these days have long physical or mental preludes. I certainly don't look forward to those, and would put lots of time and energy into avoiding them.

Death may be due to some sudden catastrophe. I don't particularly fear that, because the risk is low. Apparently Spike Milligan wanted to die by being crushed by a falling elephant. Sounds good to me:)

What about after you die? My view is that a person's existence stops at death, so subjectively I won't exist after I die. The subjective experience of being dead would be the same as the subjective experience of not yet being born: none at all. Loved one's left behind should get on and keep living their own lives to the full.

I forget where I read it, but I remember being impressed by someone who compared the march of brief human lives to a string of pearls stretching out though the ages. Each life is a pearl, and once ended has its place, shining on in history. Maybe the string is more like a net, as each life is connected to the others it touches.

Andy Mac

25th June 2007, 01:49 PM

I suppose I fear death like everyone else, in one way because it means you can't acheive any more...do the things you hoped to do, go to those dream destinations, or make the things you'd wanted to. Fear of failing to reach your potential?
But I mostly fear the manner in which I will die, how will I handle the knowledge that I'm dying. Will I calmly accept the inevitable, or will I react with fear and anger, scream and cry?? I hope I can somehow manage the fortitude and calm my Dad managed, when he died of leukemia at 34. Us kids went to see him for the last time in hospital and he knew he was dying. My twin sister and I were 12, we didn't realise, hadn't been told, and Dad somehow didn't let on that it was the last time we'd see him...just some cryptic comment about you're the man in the house, so look after your Mum. That must've taken an incredible amount of strength not to break down. Seems the worst part of it is the pain in the people left behind, like my Mum who has never stopped grieving, 35yrs later...

Regards,

Capt. Zero

25th June 2007, 02:03 PM

As a nurse, I've seen entirely to many slow/painful deaths and have thought about it muchly. Here in the U.S. our system garantees everyone a very slow and expensive exit if you have insurance. I do without.
As a MD I work with told me , You can live apprx 15 years longer by maintaining a healthy diet, plenty of exercise and moderation inbibing....Just remember those are the years you spend in a nursing home messing in your jeans:q

"I think we're all bozo's on this bus."

Sebastiaan56

26th June 2007, 08:34 AM

[quote=Capt. Zero;534197]
As a MD I work with told me , You can live apprx 15 years longer by maintaining a healthy diet, plenty of exercise and moderation inbibing....Just remember those are the years you spend in a nursing home messing in your jeans:q

Well said!, Ive always admired a bikie mate's credo, "Live fast, die young and leave a good looking corpse". Here in Oz the long lingering bit comes courtesy of our loving government. The hospital system will make sure you cant choose your exit and give just enough medication to keep you breathing. If you dont have health insurance you can wait three years for dental, etc etc. :(( Ask my dad.

Of course trying to exit is bad, even though a consistent 70% of voters reckon you should be able to, and even suggesting ways to help end the suffering for others can land you in jail. Ask Phillip Nitschke. My twisted take on all of this is that it means you have more time to vote and consume which stroke the pollies egos and help keep the economy growing.

Sebastiaan

dazzler

26th June 2007, 10:55 AM

Havent you lot read the old testament.

Apparently I'm screwed :- so have decided not to die. :)

Grunt

26th June 2007, 11:17 AM

I'm terrified of dying. I just know I'll meet some of you lot in the afterlife.

:D

Daddles

26th June 2007, 12:34 PM

I'm terrified of dying. I just know I'll meet some of you lot in the afterlife.

:D

Not a hope grunt, we're all going to 'the other place' :cool:

Richard

ubeaut

27th June 2007, 12:34 AM

Quote:
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td style="border: 1px inset ;" class="alt2"> Originally Posted by ubeaut http://mt0.woodworkforums.com/images/button2/viewpost.gif (http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?p=533632#post533632)
:rip: DEATH.... Been there done that. :angel: First time dead didn't kill me so the second time holds no fear for me.

Neil :U
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Do tellDied during an operation to remove my tonsils in 1956, was resuscitated and am still here to tell the tale.

Reckon I died a couple more times in 1967 when I was in the army but it turned out that I was just really paralytically drunk. The images in my mind were similar to 1956 and even though I survived the 67 near death experienced I can tell you, for the next few days I certainly wished I had died.

Nearly bit the bullet again in 76 when run over from behind by a drunk driver in Perth. Was riding a motorbike I got lots of broken bits and around 4 years rehab, my mate the pillion passenger lost a leg. I really hate drink drivers.

:U

Sprog

27th June 2007, 03:03 PM

Read my sig:D
Hey, that's my sig :D

Well there will be at least two old pharts then :D

m2c1Iw

28th June 2007, 12:47 AM

Yep terrified I might prove SWMBO right when she says I'll never finish let alone start the wine cabinet I've been talking about for the last two years:wink:

We all loose friends and family and as the years go by it happens more regularly, we can't help then but think about it more often. I just hope I never become so preoccupied with worry that it affects my enjoyment of the time we are given.
Health and happiness to the end please
Mike

Shedhand

28th June 2007, 02:39 AM

Nope. Already got my lawyer to arrange delivery of my corpse to the University of Tasmania Medical School. That is, the bits that are left after they transplant the useful bits into fools who want to defy natural selection.

I fear nothing, least of all death.

bansheez71

28th June 2007, 06:07 AM

Haven't really thought about it for a while until last night when I was driving my 2007 350Z over some hills we call the dips. Apparently you get air born at 110+ mph. When it landed the backend was about 2 feet farther to the left than the front. It fishtailed for about 15 yards and straightened out. It was a 40 mph ride home after that. Having the new car less than a week not sure if I was afraid of dying or crashing my car. Anyways I thanked god for keeping me from wrecking and for the wake up call I defiantly needed.

Gingermick

1st July 2007, 05:04 PM

none at all.

I fell onto concrete hitting my head and shoulder first from about 7 or 8m. Have no memory of the month afterward. Just like it didn't happen.
The prospect of being dead doesn't worry me in the slightest, but the prospect of dying slowly and not having access to very large quantities of narcotic analgesics to hasten my departure does.

Iain

1st July 2007, 06:04 PM

TassieKiwi

2nd July 2007, 02:36 PM

"Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage, against the dying of the light! " Dylan Thomas

I also like that partyanimal song 'sleep when you're dead', played recently at a young bloke's funeral.

One of the North American indian tribes believed that when an old person dies it makes room for another baby.

I simply would like a good healthy innings, and to see the two nippers established and happy. Hopefully, I am only half-way!:wink:

jerryc

3rd July 2007, 02:35 PM

Sort of been there, don't want to go back so I shan't. So there!
Got heart failure couple of years ago . Not too bad so a defibrillator was put in as I had irregular heartbeat.
Then it hit the fan. Blood poisoning, six months in hospital. Heart affected by said Blood poisoning. Open you up sir and do a small service job. New valve, regrind the other and oh yes a puncture to fix. Rip out defibrillator and stick in a nice new pacemaker defibrillator combination. Lost all muscle ton, even vocal chords were so slack I lost my voice.
Out of hospital pat on the head and a dog biscuit. There's a good boy.

Real point of all above is to say nil desperandum (don't let the bastards grind you down.
If you've got life enjoy it and don't worry about tomorrow. Just work on fitness and don't forget the mind. Altzheimers can be fought off by exercising the mind as well (nearly forgot that one) Just bought a new yacht and off to Qld today to sail it for three months up the coast. I've got a lot of my strength back and fought off the well intentioned friends who wanted to treat me like an invalid.

What I want as my epitaph is R.I.P. Return if possible.
Perhaps one day I''ll wake up in the morning and find I died in the night.

Jerry

Christopha

3rd July 2007, 03:54 PM

death? Sometimes it just can't get here soon enough..... Sometimes I am immortal.....

Beryl

3rd July 2007, 03:56 PM

Hmm... Ive never really thought if I was afraid of death itself. I'd prefer it not be real painful.
Am I afraid of it.. hmm... probably. But I intend to not think about it and just LIVE!!!! Why waste the time your given to live worrying about it ending?