When I Die: Lessons from the Death Zone
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In "When I Die" Philip Gould shares his thoughts and insights as he confronts his impending death from oesophageal cancer. How do we approach death whilst embracing life? How can we change the conversation around death and palliative care for the terminally ill? Please share this film and join the conversation #WhenIDie. Philip believed that for the terminally ill and those close to them, there can be moments of joy, resolution and inspiration just as intense as those of fear, discomfort and sadness.
Filmed during the last 2 weeks of Philip's life, this intimate portrait reveals his quest to find purpose and meaning in what he called "The Death Zone". He had been diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in 2008 and was given three months to live in the summer of 2011.
Filmed during the last 2 weeks of Philip's life, this intimate portrait reveals his quest to find purpose and meaning in what he called "The Death Zone". He had been diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in 2008 and was given three months to live in the summer of 2011.
Apr 23, 2012 11:37 AM
Re: When I Die: Lessons from the Death Zone
Very powerful and moving. For those of you who have yet to dance with Death, hold that music for as long as you can... but be ready to party when they cue it up.
I know there are many here who do not believe there is any existence but this one, but for me, when Death comes, I know a new journey lies ahead that is more amazing than any I've taken in this life.
And truth be told, I'll be ready for a good vacation. : )
I know there are many here who do not believe there is any existence but this one, but for me, when Death comes, I know a new journey lies ahead that is more amazing than any I've taken in this life.
And truth be told, I'll be ready for a good vacation. : )
By: Stone1
Re: When I Die: Lessons from the Death Zone
No, you don't KNOW it, any more than I KNOW that you will be tormented and tortured by Satan for all eternity.
You THINK it. We're glad that you are able to obtain some comfort from your faith in that possibility.
You THINK it. We're glad that you are able to obtain some comfort from your faith in that possibility.
By: ice-9
Re: When I Die: Lessons from the Death Zone
Tell you what, genius... I won't tell you what to think if you don't try and tell me what I know.
I didn't post to fan the flames of that debate any further. It's for an individual to decide what is right in their own mind. And those who really know me will tell you something surprising: I concede the argument to Atheists. The one thing atheists have in their corner is more evidence to back their position than there is to back mine. I am neither Christian, Jew nor Muslim... I am Wiccan, and I am open enough to not only embrace many Gods, but to also consider that there's the possibility I'm entirely wrong and that there are no deities extant at all. While I do not choose to believe in a dark entity such as Satan (Lucifer, etc.), I do believe there's a Hell... and right now, we're all stuck in it.
I posted because I have faced Death numerous times. I have only 35% of heart output function remaining, and I don't expect to live past 50... and I'm 45 now. While the gentleman in the video did not profess any declaration of faith or a lack thereof, I found that his brave act of allowing someone to document the days leading up to his passing to be very emotionally powerful. Did my statement so stir a reaction that you failed to retain that?
If so, perhaps you might examine the vehemence with which you put forth your position. Even if you are right, stating a point in anger as a reactionary does not make you more right... it simply makes you a reactionary, and it often detracts from your argument, even when you are in the right.
I admired Christopher Hitchens, even though I did not agree with his position on the subject of deity. First and foremost, he had a great ability to put forth his ideals with sophistication and eloquence. Additionally, I have a hard time recalling him ever allowing anyone to prod him into a misstep or garbled response. Mr. Hitchens knew the value of a calm, reasoned response. Had he not understood that value, he might not ever have come to be known as he was, and he might not have had the impact on others that he did... including you. I doubt anyone could deny that.
I didn't post to fan the flames of that debate any further. It's for an individual to decide what is right in their own mind. And those who really know me will tell you something surprising: I concede the argument to Atheists. The one thing atheists have in their corner is more evidence to back their position than there is to back mine. I am neither Christian, Jew nor Muslim... I am Wiccan, and I am open enough to not only embrace many Gods, but to also consider that there's the possibility I'm entirely wrong and that there are no deities extant at all. While I do not choose to believe in a dark entity such as Satan (Lucifer, etc.), I do believe there's a Hell... and right now, we're all stuck in it.
I posted because I have faced Death numerous times. I have only 35% of heart output function remaining, and I don't expect to live past 50... and I'm 45 now. While the gentleman in the video did not profess any declaration of faith or a lack thereof, I found that his brave act of allowing someone to document the days leading up to his passing to be very emotionally powerful. Did my statement so stir a reaction that you failed to retain that?
If so, perhaps you might examine the vehemence with which you put forth your position. Even if you are right, stating a point in anger as a reactionary does not make you more right... it simply makes you a reactionary, and it often detracts from your argument, even when you are in the right.
I admired Christopher Hitchens, even though I did not agree with his position on the subject of deity. First and foremost, he had a great ability to put forth his ideals with sophistication and eloquence. Additionally, I have a hard time recalling him ever allowing anyone to prod him into a misstep or garbled response. Mr. Hitchens knew the value of a calm, reasoned response. Had he not understood that value, he might not ever have come to be known as he was, and he might not have had the impact on others that he did... including you. I doubt anyone could deny that.
By: Stone1
Re: When I Die: Lessons from the Death Zone
Thanks for the long response, but you really read too much into my reply, and I think your post is more angry than mine (you start right off with name calling).
I take no offense at your position, beliefs, etc. and your tolerance and open-mindedness are all I would ask of anyone. I'm not particularly impressed by your unique health experiences - I promise you that mine have been quite unique also. Nonetheless, I THINK that there is not a "god". If I said on here to no one in particular that I KNOW there's not a god, that would be arrogant and I would expect to be called on it. I don't KNOW any such thing. Paul Anka might be the one true god - I don't know. I THINK that he probably is not, but I don't KNOW.
I stand by my statement 100%. You don't know anything for which there is no empirical evidence any more than I or anyone else does. The statement is erroneous. I accept that you may disagree.
I liked the video and it's subject very much, though you certainly may have appreciated it more than I based on your unique condition. You and I are the same age, and while I hope to make it past 50, I have no guarantees. Nobody does. I hope I do make it. I hope you do too, and I don't mean to trivialize your condition: I sincerely hope you do. I really I hate that there's not much either of us can do about it.
How do you know I'm a Hitchens fan? YOU aren't God, are you? You know, I THINK maybe you are, but of course I don't KNOW...
I take no offense at your position, beliefs, etc. and your tolerance and open-mindedness are all I would ask of anyone. I'm not particularly impressed by your unique health experiences - I promise you that mine have been quite unique also. Nonetheless, I THINK that there is not a "god". If I said on here to no one in particular that I KNOW there's not a god, that would be arrogant and I would expect to be called on it. I don't KNOW any such thing. Paul Anka might be the one true god - I don't know. I THINK that he probably is not, but I don't KNOW.
I stand by my statement 100%. You don't know anything for which there is no empirical evidence any more than I or anyone else does. The statement is erroneous. I accept that you may disagree.
I liked the video and it's subject very much, though you certainly may have appreciated it more than I based on your unique condition. You and I are the same age, and while I hope to make it past 50, I have no guarantees. Nobody does. I hope I do make it. I hope you do too, and I don't mean to trivialize your condition: I sincerely hope you do. I really I hate that there's not much either of us can do about it.
How do you know I'm a Hitchens fan? YOU aren't God, are you? You know, I THINK maybe you are, but of course I don't KNOW...
By: ice-9
Re: When I Die: Lessons from the Death Zone
I've been dead. Twice in fact. The first time was in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. It was calm and peaceful and natural. It came upon me as easily as drifting off to sleep.
The second time was in ER. People were screaming at me, there was a sense of panic in everyone around me including myself. They were beating on my chest, I was defibbed a total of 12 times that day and my chest was burned. I wanted them to leave me to die and was pushing them away so they tied me down. I had enough and turned to a nurser next to me and said, "I'm going to die now" and I died the second time.
Next thing I knew I woke in surgery. They didn't allow me to die. It was estimated that my heart was not beating on it's own for over 30 minutes. Some say it was God or the miracles of science that saved me and I was so lucky but all I felt after was resentment towards those that forced me to live. It was my time and they took it from me. Since then I have felt broken, I don't fear death at all and it without it you see the world very differently. It's hard to fit in and people don't understand you. I'm babbling now but death is as natural as birth and it fells that way when it comes upon you. There is no scary monster at the end of our lives, the religions are lying to us.
The second time was in ER. People were screaming at me, there was a sense of panic in everyone around me including myself. They were beating on my chest, I was defibbed a total of 12 times that day and my chest was burned. I wanted them to leave me to die and was pushing them away so they tied me down. I had enough and turned to a nurser next to me and said, "I'm going to die now" and I died the second time.
Next thing I knew I woke in surgery. They didn't allow me to die. It was estimated that my heart was not beating on it's own for over 30 minutes. Some say it was God or the miracles of science that saved me and I was so lucky but all I felt after was resentment towards those that forced me to live. It was my time and they took it from me. Since then I have felt broken, I don't fear death at all and it without it you see the world very differently. It's hard to fit in and people don't understand you. I'm babbling now but death is as natural as birth and it fells that way when it comes upon you. There is no scary monster at the end of our lives, the religions are lying to us.
By: Boglin
Re: When I Die: Lessons from the Death Zone
No disrespect but you have a pretty fucked up view on life.
Re: When I Die: Lessons from the Death Zone
I think it best I wasn't. I might have had to give you mouth to mouth... that's a tale we wouldn't want to tell here at m&c. ;-)
Re: When I Die: Lessons from the Death Zone
Griff! Quick! My heart! My heart! Argh! Arghazxgrrrrheartpainhelp!
Don't worry; I won't bite and you can push aside my big tongue. See!
Awgh! Argh! Pain!
Don't worry; I won't bite and you can push aside my big tongue. See!
Awgh! Argh! Pain!
