Category Archives: family illness

“O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING…?” Cont’d from previous blog).

In keeping with our analogy, ships on this as on almost every sea tend to gather into Flotilla and, in turn, into Fleets and indeed, Navies. In human terms, we bond and gather together in marriage and families – nuclea … Continue reading

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“O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING…?” Cont’d from previous blog).

From childhood on and especially following the loss of my dear sisters, I have tended to employ a simple analogy which likens the body to a ship and the spirit or soul to its captain and pilot. (I have already … Continue reading

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“O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING…?” Cont’d from previous blog).

In days gone by, I have spoken to a number of people who, at some time of serious illness or accident, have undergone a “near death” experience. One ensuing characteristic, which they all appear to possess in common and which … Continue reading

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“O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING…?” Cont’d from previous blog).

There is a great deal that we can do which, in its way, can be both supportive and productive as we prepare for a loved one’s (or indeed our own) death. It may be hard or difficult to undertake but … Continue reading

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“O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING…?” Cont’d from previous blog).

Not infrequently, patients who are hospitalized or in a hospice at this time, ‘fasten on’ to someone of their choosing, not uncommonly from outwith the family and with whom they feel at ease to talk. It might be a doctor, … Continue reading

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“O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING…?”  Cont’d from prev. blog)

“O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING…?”  Cont’d from prev. blog) “My problem at present is coping with feelings about my family. I just don’t want to leave them. I look at Marianne (his wife) when she is not looking and … Continue reading

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“O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING…?” (Cont’d from previous blog.)

  As 0nce again I glance through the main points of this correspondence, I am aware of its tendency throughout to focus on and seek to encourage an up-beat approach (in the very best sense the use of that phrase). My … Continue reading

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Now there’s sleep…and there’s sleep”. (Continuation of   previous blog).

Another hypothesis of great interest and potential relates to the finding that apparently all mammals spend a disproportionate amount of pre-birth time, i.e. in the womb, in a condition, at least very similar to REM sleep and we have known … Continue reading

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Now there’s sleep…and there’s sleep”. (Continuation of   previous blog).

One final point about REM sleep and dreaming: what do we know about it? Well at the purely subjective level we know that dreams can (as it appears once we are awake) at one and the same time, be fairly … Continue reading

Posted in adaptation, cancer, coping, Coping Resources/Strategies, evolving status, family illness, grieving | Comments Off on Now there’s sleep…and there’s sleep”. (Continuation of   previous blog).