Monday, July 23, 2012

              Is Dying From Cancer a Curse or a Blessing???


OK – I see the eyes rolling and all you wondering if the radiation to my brain finally kicked in. Before you have me committed let me explain……

As you all know I do a lot of driving/sitting in traffic every day so it gives me a lot of time to think.  So one day I got to thinking... Let’s face it, we all are going to die from something whether we like it or not. So is it easier to know in advance or just have a heart attack with no warning? The heart attack is probably an easier less stressful way to go while cancer just drags on and on always on your mind not knowing when it’s going to take you.

Heart Attack – 1 Cancer – 0

Then there’s the theory (well at least my theory) that with a heart attack you have no time to prepare. No final wishes (lets face it, as much as we think about it does anyone really write down how they want to go out? Who gets what? Say what’s really on your mind?). With cancer you have time to plan out your last wishes (yes I am controlling in life but I’ll be more controlling in death), give those last minute instructions, etc.

Heart Attack – 1 Cancer – 1

But how many knowing their time may be up sooner than later really take advantage of what they have left? That’s the hard part because you don’t want to come off negative looking like you’re giving up. To me it’s just being practical. I have so many friends I’ve made in my life who have shared both the good and bad that I want to make sure they know how important they have been to me (plus lets face it, who wants to be forgotten). It’s easy to write down the big stuff and where it should go, but it’s the little things that may not look like anything but have great meaning. Those are the things I want to make sure get into the right hands. So what’s the difference if I give them away now or ten years from now? It’s not being negative, to me it’s practical. It’s assurance that it won’t be overlooked or thrown away and gets to the person who understands the significance of it.

The second thing you need to do is write down who gets what in order to avoid any problems for whoever has to take care of your final wishes. If it’s your wishes no one should argue about it and you won’t put that person in an awkward position. You should include who you want to do certain things (i.e. there’s only a few people I want pawing through my clothes, etc) and who you would like to do it.

Finally, if you have any last minutes wishes on the service make sure everyone knows in advance. Don’t write that down because it may not be read until after the funeral. I’m lucky to have an expert funeral planner in the family (1-800-kevinmm). Favorite song, favorite verse, make sure it’s known upfront.

I guess what I’m trying to stress is that none of us know what tomorrow brings. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

As far as Cancer vs. Heart Attack it’s a tie. It’s all up to you on how you handle it.

Until another great thought races through my brain…….

Keep on Dancin’