Death, Dying and the End of Life discussion

I am so encouraged by the growing number of individuals and groups advocating for more, more honest, and earlier dialogue about end of life. I also am happy to have stumbled upon this Goodreads group of similarly interested readers and perhaps writers. Ten years ago, in the months after my mother's death, I wrote an award-winning memoir about my family's life-affirming experience with terminal illness. Actually it wrote itself in a cathartic release of overflowing grief. This group may be interested in reading (and reviewing it); I'd be honored and grateful. It's titled When All That's Left of Me Is Love: A Daughter's Story of Letting Go, and it chronicles in intimate detail our approach to embracing life--living fully, purposefully and above all joyfully--while anticipating death and loss.

In the meantime, you may be interested in reading this short piece published a couple years ago: https://www.pittsburghbettertimes.com.... I continue to advocate for conversations about dying, for compassionate end-of-life care (especially hospice), and for advanced planning so that our loved ones can feel confident they are fulfilling our wishes by giving us the kind of end-of-life experience we want.

Thank you, Linda. I will put your memoir on my "to read" list and will surely review it after reading.
Best wishes to you for your continued advocacy of the EOL conversation.
Julie
Julie Saeger Niereenberg
Daddy, This Is It. Being-With My Dying DadJourney’s End: Death, Dying, and the End of Life

Wow, Linda said it best. I'm so glad to find this group. Ever since being the caregiver to my mother/best friend upon her diagnosis of cancer, speaking about it is imperative.

When my mother was diagnosed, I knew I would need an outlet with which to express my emotions and feelings in a safe place. I created a blog, 'Two Women 1 Disease' and I encouraged her to join me in adding her own emotions. She reluctantly agreed and we continued the blog throughout her entire three-year journey. It somehow seemed easier to type your emotions (e.g., fear, anger, guilt, helplessness, heart-breaking, etc.) rather than speak of them. Yes, it was difficult to read some of her posts and her of mine, but for the most part, it was honest, real and raw.

Last year I decided to publish that blog into a book in her honor and to help others going through a similar situation (much like Linda). I'm so grateful we did it because I've received some emails letting me know how it has touched lives and particularly helped an entire family who had lost a child at 10 years old to cancer.

Thank you, Julie, for creating this group!

Two Women 1 Disease: A Story of Survival and Struggles Co-Written by Both Caregiver and Cancer Patient.

You are welcome, Beth. I'm grateful for your comment. In our connections, near and far, we find much needed validation and support. I'm glad to know about your book and will add it to my "to read" list.
Stay in touch.
Julie

I, too am so glad to have found this group. I have been part of a local Cafe Mortal group that meets monthly and often at those meetings we often mention many of the recent books on EOL issues. I recently suggested to the group that we use Goodreads as a way to read one another’s reviews. But even better to find this group and learn of new books to add to my burgeoning Want To Read list. (I have added those written by the earlier commenters.)

I have always been interested in Death and Dying, perhaps as part of a general interest in the Unseen and the Unknown. I now have a terminal disease and my interest in preparing for a good death has quickened my reading about the practical matters involved. I believe the best I’ve read thus far is Kathyrn Mannix’s With The End in Mind: Dying, Death, and Wisdom in an Age of Denial. I was delighted to receive a comment from the author on my Goodread’s review. I continue to find other books that teach me more and widened my expectations.

Well, I guess that is enough for a first hello.
Kathleen (also known as Anna)

Beth and Julie, thank you for your comments AND for making me aware your books--books that, like mine, were born of death and, just as importantly, honor the parent we cared for, loved to and through death, and miss to this day. Beth, your experience of caregiving and writing sounds so similar to mine. You gave your mother a real gift by providing her an outlet (writing) during her illness, and now you're sharing that gift with others. Lovely.

Kathleen (aka Anna), thank you for chiming into the conversation and for allowing us to know you are on the journey yourself. I hope you are surrounded by love in addition to good, helpful books. I had not heard of the book by Kathryn Mannix that you've recommended, but I'll definitely check it out. In the meantime, I wish you all the support and strength you'll need en route to the good death you (and we all) want.

Linda

Kathleen wrote: "I, too am so glad to have found this group. I have been part of a local Cafe Mortal group that meets monthly and often at those meetings we often mention many of the recent books on EOL issues. I r..."

Kathleen, Linda's words echo my own thoughts. May love and celebration surround you.
Blessings and peace,
Julie

I am new to grief groups especially tied to grief books, and finding out that I am way behind in this endeavor. I have loved reading these posts and I am in awe for the books which have been written out of the sacredness of death, grief, and loss which we all experience. I too wrote and published my book- it too, was written because I couldn't find a book like it when I was paralyzed with grief. It's unique as it's only 50 pages and is really an uncomplicated "basic" outline to grief, which is so vastly complicated, but the goal was to assure the reader that grief is mysterious, does it's own thing, and it's all perfectly okay to grief. It gives practical suggestions to the non grievers on how they might support and refrain from typical platitudes which can be debilitating for the those grieving. I never have built my platform- it sounds so daunting-I just want to help people with their grief and hopefully my book will launch them into further reading regarding their specific grief. I love referring grief books on my website. Here's all my info: Website, FB Page, my 2 minute video and info on my book. Even posting my links is daunting. Lol.
letmegrief.weebly.com
https://www.facebook.com/damitjustlet...

https://nam10.safelinks.protection.ou...

In appreciation for your vulnerability to share your journey with loss and pathway to healing.

Thank you for posting and for writing your book. It takes courage and the sharing is valuable. The more who do so, the greater is the likelihood we will begin to treat death and dying, loss and grief with the acceptance and respect they deserve. So I believe. Julie Saeger Nierenberg

I agree, Julie. Thank you for encouraging me to share and thank you for responding.

Jana

You are welcome, Jana. Good to be connected here.