We have only two sessions left for this season of End of Life Education.
I am planning on having sessions again in the spring depending on the timing of flu, etc. season. Let me know if there is any special topic (old or new topic) you want presented.
The meetings will begin at 1 p.m. at the Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis S., in their fellowship hall with a side door right off the parking lot. (The front doors are often locked if there are no other church activities.)
There is a basket for a church donation or people can bring food for the church pantry, but otherwise there is no cost.
When you come to any of our meetings you can get the booklet for end-of-life decisions that is given to you when you enter a hospital in Colorado. Now is a better time to get it and carefully read the choices that you can make. We can answer any questions that you have.
On Nov. 12, we will try again to meet with the emergency medical team to find out what happens when you call 911.
You may hope your fairy godmother shows up, but it is actually a team of what I think are true heroes. This is when you need to have a do-not-resuscitate form on your refrigerator.
You might ask why you would ever want to not be resuscitated. The truth of the matter is that if they resuscitate you, it means that you were actually dead. I have decided that if I am dead, I would prefer to stay dead. My life was great and it is over, and I am grateful for a quick and easy end.
Now, for some people, especially at an early age, resuscitation makes sense. I know of a man who was resuscitated in his 50s, and he is happy he did it. But, if you have lived a full life there comes a point that you don’t want to be resuscitated only to die again, perhaps a slower and more painful process. There is life and then there is also quality of life, so this is an important decision to be considered and made.
We will be having our final gathering for this season on Dec. 10. We will review what we talked about, answer all questions and discuss topics for next season.
I wish that people knew how important these sessions can be and how they can help themselves by being as prepared as possible. It is not morbid to face reality, and it does not make you sad. Talking or thinking about death does not influence its timing. It can make you love others and appreciate much more the life you have and available choices there are.
I feel that I have grown as a person each time I have done these sessions. This is the common problem of all mankind. If you’ve tried to have the best and fullest life possible, adding this information and these discussion topics can only be an asset.
>