Elderly Friend

Jan. Jan was the most fun spirited person you could imagine. She was always traveling but we were there for each other. She’d come back from her latest adventure and we’d talk for hours and then she’d tell me about her latest project, she was always helping people. So, when she died I felt so alone. I didn’t know what to do; I didn’t know how to manage that big sadness that was in me. I got to the point though that I thought what would Jan want me to do, how would she want to be remembered? So then I decided I’m going to give a donation in her memory to education and research into palliative care.

How do you want to be remembered?

Community Service Announcement

Do you want to talk about our community service announcement?

Join the discussion here or find out more at www.lifeanddeath.org.au

Teenager

My mate Nick has cancer. His mum’s been great telling us about how we can help but now he’s not doing to well. No one knows what to say. I’m only 17 I’ve never been to a funeral so why should I know how to talk about it? I mean...

How often do you talk about you know, dying?

Retired Husband

Katherine was beautiful. To watch her withering away slowly was the hardest thing. I retired early to be with her to care for her. We didn’t really know what we were doing with a little assistance we worked it out. Caring for Katherine was tough but looking back, it was the best thing we ever did together. I really miss her.

Have you ever cared for someone you loved?

Daughter

Dad had been with the palliative care team for about five months. He’d been living as well as possible he went fishing with his mates. He didn’t want to give up he just couldn’t. One day the doctor came to me and said that it was time for me to make some choices and some decisions about Dad’s wishes, for his end. And I got to ask all those tricky questions like ‘How do you even know when the end is near?’ Dad and all of us really felt that we knew what to expect and knew how to get all the friends and family involved. It was a really sad time, but also a really happy time because we got to do it Dad’s way.

Have you thought about the end of your life?

Office Worker

A tumor on the brain, George was 51 when he told me the news. When he returned to work the boss had no idea how to handle it. I try and treat him the same as I always have. He said to me the other day actually, “Mate works work, no doctors no nurses.” They say 6 months...I reckon he’ll make the year.

Do you have a mate in the workplace with a terminal illness?