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Thoughts from a 31 year old dieing of cancer

(24 Posts)
Dinahmo Mon 07-Sep-20 16:40:45

/www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/07/terminal-cancer-live-cancer-life-death

This is a rather morbid subject but the article, written by a young with only weeks to live, is uplifting and might be a source of comfort to some of you.

merlotgran Mon 07-Sep-20 16:42:02

I'll give it a miss, thanks.

morethan2 Mon 07-Sep-20 16:58:24

Me too. I can still hear my DiL cries of pain and despair. Maybe one day but not yet.

sodapop Mon 07-Sep-20 17:03:15

Been through that experience same as morethan2 I don't want to do it again.

PinkCakes Mon 07-Sep-20 17:27:04

I used to work as a Palliative Carer, and seeing someone slowly die with Cancer is terrible.

tanith Mon 07-Sep-20 17:30:46

Not for me thanks it will bring back a very sad time.

suziewoozie Mon 07-Sep-20 17:31:09

I read it this morning. Not having had the experience of someone young and close to me die in this way, I appreciate I was able to read it differently. The focus wasn’t on the cancer or the dying at all but a sort of philosophical musing on the meaning of his life. I can imagine his family and friends finding it comforting.

TrendyNannie6 Mon 07-Sep-20 17:32:17

Not for me Thankyou, too upsetting

BlueSky Mon 07-Sep-20 17:34:11

Thanks but no thanks. I cry when they have to put pets to sleep let alone. What a cruel world!

BlueBelle Mon 07-Sep-20 18:30:47

Me neither I m afraid too much sadness around at the moment I just can’t soak up any more

JuliaM Mon 07-Sep-20 19:02:32

I have seen it a lot in the past from my nursing career, and I can vividly remember the young ones I nursed for terminal care. Nothing ever prepares you though for watching your own child go through this, I lost my beautiful very loving and caring Daughter to Breast cancer, just two years after she got married she found a lump in her Breast, and two years after that she lost her very brave fight and passed away in her sisters arms at home. My beautiful Kay, life still feels empty without her, even 5 years on, and now her eldest sister is in remission from cervical Cancer, and we hope and pray that she stays that way in the future.

Harris27 Mon 07-Sep-20 19:11:18

So sorry to read your post JuliaM sending you hugs. Can’t imagine what you’ve been going through. So sad.

lemongrove Mon 07-Sep-20 20:29:01

To the many posters on this thread ( and on GN) who have lost their AC far too early, I understand completely why you have no interest in reading the article.flowers
I am not in that position, but still don’t want to read it.

Chewbacca Mon 07-Sep-20 20:50:32

Same as lemon for me too.

BlueSky Mon 07-Sep-20 20:50:57

Agree with Lemongrove.sad

Marketkat Tue 08-Sep-20 11:06:41

I lost my son to cancer 2 years ago, I’ve read the article and yes it’s very moving and inspiring, my son didn’t have years living with cancer, just a few months. People who shut their minds and don’t want to read as they can’t ‘manage’ the emotions it might convey is understandable, but you miss out on how wonderful the human condition is when faced when such trauma comes into your life, it could happen to you or your child. I read lots of articles on cancer and death, makes me realise I’m not alone and gives me strength to carry my sorrow every day whilst trying to live the best life I can, although that is a challenge.. this article shows that our children have great strength and acceptance and can be inspirational in the most dire of circumstances.

blue25 Tue 08-Sep-20 11:20:48

It’s an incredible, uplifting article. I found it very moving. Thanks for sharing.

Dinahmo Tue 08-Sep-20 11:43:26

Marketkat and blue25

Thank you both for your comments. I had thought that the article might help some people, but not everyone. I also found the comments in the Guardian moving too. I thought there was a lot of humanity in them which is sadly lacking in today's world.

What I don't understand is why, having seen the heading, and deciding not to read the article, some people feel the need to tell me that they're not interested.

sodapop Tue 08-Sep-20 12:55:26

Thought you may like feedback Dinahmo sorry if I upset you.

ISHMA Tue 08-Sep-20 13:09:57

Sending my love to you and so sorry the pain you must have been in losing one daughter now the other with symptoms. How brave you are to write on here and I hope you find comfort from others like myself who are sincere and thinking of you hugs from Lynne

merlotgran Tue 08-Sep-20 13:16:53

some people feel the need to tell me that they're not interested.

It wasn't meant like that Dinahmo

welbeck Wed 09-Sep-20 18:06:28

i think the thread title may be a little misleading.
the whole point of the article is about what is important in life, he is urging people to live life well and to the full, and he speaks from the insight and authority of knowing his life will not be long, though he is young, 31.
i found it positive, inspiring, rather than depressing.

welbeck Thu 10-Sep-20 01:08:10

he has died, on monday 7th.
www.theguardian.com/society/2020/sep/09/elliot-dallen-family-thank-readers-for-huge-response-to-his-articles

Cabbie21 Thu 10-Sep-20 16:47:43

Well worth reading both items.
Sad but inspiring. Not difficult in the way one might have anticipated. Uplifting and thought provoking.