I agree quite a lot with anien2. I am not religious, so that doesn't factor into my thoughts on an afterlife. Obviously, cultures have been fixated on the afterlife as far as we have historic record, as others have mentioned. Probably the best evidence of the "other side" we have is to ask yourself what it was like before you were born? Don't remember anything, do you? Nothingness. I'm ok with that.
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Thinking about death & Fear
- Thread starter CFkitty
- Start date
I agree quite a lot with anien2. I am not religious, so that doesn't factor into my thoughts on an afterlife. Obviously, cultures have been fixated on the afterlife as far as we have historic record, as others have mentioned. Probably the best evidence of the "other side" we have is to ask yourself what it was like before you were born? Don't remember anything, do you? Nothingness. I'm ok with that.
when i was first diagnosed, all i chose to see was death, and i let myself get very close to it. i was depressed and very ill for a few years before i began to realize that death doesn't just happen simply because we expect it to. i was living in denial of my illness and that was something i had the ability to change. i have, and i'm doing very well, thankfully. at this point, i don't fixate on death; i just do my best to express my gratitude for everything that i have while i still have it, and i look forward to an exciting future.
i used to be very religious, but now i'm more spiritual, and i don't have a problem with thinking about the afterlife the way i imagine it - that is, as nothing. i think we become worm food, and "heaven" is our legacy; we live on (eternally?) through our memory, our words and our actions. in that sense, it's much more important to focus on the present as much as possible, and to be happy for every moment we have. it's made me a much more positive person, which is undeniably good for my health <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
it's natural to fixate on questions of death and to be scared, but ultimately, those questions remain unanswered, and you have to ask yourself if they are worth wasting precious minutes of your life worrying about.
i used to be very religious, but now i'm more spiritual, and i don't have a problem with thinking about the afterlife the way i imagine it - that is, as nothing. i think we become worm food, and "heaven" is our legacy; we live on (eternally?) through our memory, our words and our actions. in that sense, it's much more important to focus on the present as much as possible, and to be happy for every moment we have. it's made me a much more positive person, which is undeniably good for my health <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
it's natural to fixate on questions of death and to be scared, but ultimately, those questions remain unanswered, and you have to ask yourself if they are worth wasting precious minutes of your life worrying about.
when i was first diagnosed, all i chose to see was death, and i let myself get very close to it. i was depressed and very ill for a few years before i began to realize that death doesn't just happen simply because we expect it to. i was living in denial of my illness and that was something i had the ability to change. i have, and i'm doing very well, thankfully. at this point, i don't fixate on death; i just do my best to express my gratitude for everything that i have while i still have it, and i look forward to an exciting future.
i used to be very religious, but now i'm more spiritual, and i don't have a problem with thinking about the afterlife the way i imagine it - that is, as nothing. i think we become worm food, and "heaven" is our legacy; we live on (eternally?) through our memory, our words and our actions. in that sense, it's much more important to focus on the present as much as possible, and to be happy for every moment we have. it's made me a much more positive person, which is undeniably good for my health <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
it's natural to fixate on questions of death and to be scared, but ultimately, those questions remain unanswered, and you have to ask yourself if they are worth wasting precious minutes of your life worrying about.
i used to be very religious, but now i'm more spiritual, and i don't have a problem with thinking about the afterlife the way i imagine it - that is, as nothing. i think we become worm food, and "heaven" is our legacy; we live on (eternally?) through our memory, our words and our actions. in that sense, it's much more important to focus on the present as much as possible, and to be happy for every moment we have. it's made me a much more positive person, which is undeniably good for my health <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
it's natural to fixate on questions of death and to be scared, but ultimately, those questions remain unanswered, and you have to ask yourself if they are worth wasting precious minutes of your life worrying about.
mamaScarlett
Active member
I liked Bill's comment and it brought something else to mind. I know a family that lost 4 children out of 5 between the 80s-90s. Their 11 yo accidentally hung himself while playing on a swingset. Their 20 something old son fell off a scaffolding while working in nyc and died. Their other son had a massive headache and died on the way to the hospital from a brain anurism (sp?), and tragically another son died in a car accident that my brothers and sisters witnessed.<br><br>We knew this family really well and the parents are incredible examples of what a human can endure. I'm not trying to be a downer here-<br><br>My point is that all these kids were healthy. Perfectly healthy. I know people HATE the hit by a bus analogy but you know what, its really not that far fetched. Thats a huge reason that my parents and myself in turn keep statistics in perspective.<br>
mamaScarlett
Active member
I liked Bill's comment and it brought something else to mind. I know a family that lost 4 children out of 5 between the 80s-90s. Their 11 yo accidentally hung himself while playing on a swingset. Their 20 something old son fell off a scaffolding while working in nyc and died. Their other son had a massive headache and died on the way to the hospital from a brain anurism (sp?), and tragically another son died in a car accident that my brothers and sisters witnessed.<br><br>We knew this family really well and the parents are incredible examples of what a human can endure. I'm not trying to be a downer here-<br><br>My point is that all these kids were healthy. Perfectly healthy. I know people HATE the hit by a bus analogy but you know what, its really not that far fetched. Thats a huge reason that my parents and myself in turn keep statistics in perspective.<br>
W
witzersmom
Guest
My daughter asks me this often. I cry when she isnt looking. Funny I used to be religious also, then you have a child that could go anytime, and a reality sets in that religion sounds kinda silly sometimes.<br><br>We have read embraced by the light by together and I have bought a copy for everyone I know facing death, its just amazing. I also am okay with there not being an afterlife. I think the fear of dying is aimed around an eternity of torure, or roaming as a spirit. If that is your fear, you have to remember that Bibles and things were deperate ways to form a decent society in more barbaric and under evolved times. We try to control our kids by threatening or scaring them into decent behavior.<br><br>I don't have answers, but we all share your worry. I 95% believe the other side is way more beatiful. In embraced by the light, she recalls yelling at Jesus, arguing, not to come back because she likened it to being washed at the warmest and purest of spas, being able to fly, being intensely clean and relaxed, full of love she never could imagine, AND COMING BACK TO HER BODY WAS LIKE GETTING IN A COLD, HEAVY, MUDDY PAIR OF OVERALLS. I always think of that. <br><br>Just love and live hard with no regrets.<br><br><br>
W
witzersmom
Guest
My daughter asks me this often. I cry when she isnt looking. Funny I used to be religious also, then you have a child that could go anytime, and a reality sets in that religion sounds kinda silly sometimes.<br><br>We have read embraced by the light by together and I have bought a copy for everyone I know facing death, its just amazing. I also am okay with there not being an afterlife. I think the fear of dying is aimed around an eternity of torure, or roaming as a spirit. If that is your fear, you have to remember that Bibles and things were deperate ways to form a decent society in more barbaric and under evolved times. We try to control our kids by threatening or scaring them into decent behavior.<br><br>I don't have answers, but we all share your worry. I 95% believe the other side is way more beatiful. In embraced by the light, she recalls yelling at Jesus, arguing, not to come back because she likened it to being washed at the warmest and purest of spas, being able to fly, being intensely clean and relaxed, full of love she never could imagine, AND COMING BACK TO HER BODY WAS LIKE GETTING IN A COLD, HEAVY, MUDDY PAIR OF OVERALLS. I always think of that. <br><br>Just love and live hard with no regrets.<br><br><br>
I think anyone w/ a serious disease worries about death.. I know I have, especially after I went into renal failure ..<br>I was a late dx . so when I found out what CF was I figured I would be dying at any moment since I was past the median life expectancy. At the time of my dx I was 44, my 2 youngest sons were 3 & 7, I never thought I would live to see them grow up. They are now 21 & 18 ! both in college. I also have 3 grandchildren. Something else I never thought I would see.<br>The thing is , I worried so much back when I was dxd & wasnt enjoying every day to the fullest (something I know isn't always easy when you have cf) ..<br>When I was going through the renal failure I had a near death experience. I also got closer to Jesus at that time, & that gave me peace.. When I came out of the hosp after being in for 6 weeks, I went to see a therapist & started taking meds to help w/ the anxiety.. It was the best thing I could have done. I got over that hump & started to appreciate the time I have..<br>The point I guess I am trying to make is , while I know your fears are very real & warranted, try to seek help for yourself in whatever way works best for you.. <br>Take care & keep us posted <3 joni <br>P.S. Ty Allansary & Athanasia for your inspiring stories <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
I think anyone w/ a serious disease worries about death.. I know I have, especially after I went into renal failure ..<br>I was a late dx . so when I found out what CF was I figured I would be dying at any moment since I was past the median life expectancy. At the time of my dx I was 44, my 2 youngest sons were 3 & 7, I never thought I would live to see them grow up. They are now 21 & 18 ! both in college. I also have 3 grandchildren. Something else I never thought I would see.<br>The thing is , I worried so much back when I was dxd & wasnt enjoying every day to the fullest (something I know isn't always easy when you have cf) ..<br>When I was going through the renal failure I had a near death experience. I also got closer to Jesus at that time, & that gave me peace.. When I came out of the hosp after being in for 6 weeks, I went to see a therapist & started taking meds to help w/ the anxiety.. It was the best thing I could have done. I got over that hump & started to appreciate the time I have..<br>The point I guess I am trying to make is , while I know your fears are very real & warranted, try to seek help for yourself in whatever way works best for you.. <br>Take care & keep us posted <3 joni <br>P.S. Ty Allansary & Athanasia for your inspiring stories <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
I loved the posts by Allansarmy and Athanasia! Both are very inspiring. I just want to add that the Lord heals in one other way--the ultimate healing of bringing you home to heaven. I am not afraid to die because I know that in heaven I will be running and not once stopping to cough. I am not saying that I am ready to go right now and have given up the fight, because I have two wonderful babies worth living for. Just that I'm ready when the Lord calls me home. Also, a very good book to read is "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo.
I loved the posts by Allansarmy and Athanasia! Both are very inspiring. I just want to add that the Lord heals in one other way--the ultimate healing of bringing you home to heaven. I am not afraid to die because I know that in heaven I will be running and not once stopping to cough. I am not saying that I am ready to go right now and have given up the fight, because I have two wonderful babies worth living for. Just that I'm ready when the Lord calls me home. Also, a very good book to read is "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo.
stillkicking
New member
I have had many dreams where I experience dying from CF and obviously the process isn't pleasant. Like many have said, to have a fear of it is natural. We all do to one extent or another. I do not fear what happens after death, but just the process as my body dies. I am religious. I have had many experiences that confirm there is life after death. Attached is a link that you might find helpful. http://lds.org/pages/we-can-live-with-god-again?lang=eng
Some view religion as a chain that binds you, but I have found the opposite to be true, my religion has set me free. If nothing else, as you can tell from the many responses to this post you are not alone. May you take comfort in that and find the peace and answers you seek.
Some view religion as a chain that binds you, but I have found the opposite to be true, my religion has set me free. If nothing else, as you can tell from the many responses to this post you are not alone. May you take comfort in that and find the peace and answers you seek.
stillkicking
New member
I have had many dreams where I experience dying from CF and obviously the process isn't pleasant. Like many have said, to have a fear of it is natural. We all do to one extent or another. I do not fear what happens after death, but just the process as my body dies. I am religious. I have had many experiences that confirm there is life after death. Attached is a link that you might find helpful. http://lds.org/pages/we-can-live-with-god-again?lang=eng
Some view religion as a chain that binds you, but I have found the opposite to be true, my religion has set me free. If nothing else, as you can tell from the many responses to this post you are not alone. May you take comfort in that and find the peace and answers you seek.
Some view religion as a chain that binds you, but I have found the opposite to be true, my religion has set me free. If nothing else, as you can tell from the many responses to this post you are not alone. May you take comfort in that and find the peace and answers you seek.
TheAmazingBD
New member
I am not afraid to die but I do visualize and dream about my death and what my loved ones will have to deal with when I pass. My thoughts and dreams usually detail HOW I die, the reactions of my loved ones, what is done with my belongings, how they pay off my bills and access my computer!! CRAZY STUFF...but logical thoughts. I've thought about my death from a car accident to lungs collapsing. I've never really believed that CF would kill me. I still doubt that. I let the thoughts pass and realize we are all going to die and there is no telling when or how. For me, it is most important to cherish my LIFE and in death, I'll deal with it when it happens.
wishing you a peaceful mind. xo
wishing you a peaceful mind. xo
TheAmazingBD
New member
I am not afraid to die but I do visualize and dream about my death and what my loved ones will have to deal with when I pass. My thoughts and dreams usually detail HOW I die, the reactions of my loved ones, what is done with my belongings, how they pay off my bills and access my computer!! CRAZY STUFF...but logical thoughts. I've thought about my death from a car accident to lungs collapsing. I've never really believed that CF would kill me. I still doubt that. I let the thoughts pass and realize we are all going to die and there is no telling when or how. For me, it is most important to cherish my LIFE and in death, I'll deal with it when it happens.
wishing you a peaceful mind. xo
wishing you a peaceful mind. xo