terminal illness thought experiment

[offramp]

How do you guys think you would feel if you got diagnosed with a terminal illness right now? Would it be a relief to know that you are going to die soon or would the lack of choice or certainty of death make you panic?

 

[schopenh]

Can you be more specific. Is this "6 months left" or "3 years of agonising pain"
My friend's mother died recently of bowel cancer. From the first symptom to death it was 5 months. In the last month she was vomiting feces and couldn't sleep. Certainly any cancer diagnosis would not be thrilling even if you really want to die.

 

[Lostandlooking]

I often fantasize about this. It's a frivolous thing of course. I don't know how I'd really react. Being ill is really hard. But I imagine I would be happy. I would refuse treatment and only request palliative care.

 

[offramp]

Can you be more specific. Is this "6 months left" or "3 years of agonising pain"
My friend's mother died recently of bowel cancer. From the first symptom to death it was 5 months. In the last month she was vomiting feces and couldn't sleep. Certainly any cancer diagnosis would not be thrilling even if you really want to die.

In this context imagine six months and that the pain is middle-of-the-road as far as terminal illness goes.

 

[mapletree]

I don't know that I would care that much. I have health issues I should probably get checked out but haven't because well, I don't care. But it's impossible to know unless I actually had to face it, maybe I would freak out at the loss of control

 

[rt1989526]

Assuming I still have all my mental problems then it'd be amazing news. If I had a normal brain it would be bad news.

 

[esse_est_percipi]

How do you guys think you would feel if you got diagnosed with a terminal illness right now? Would it be a relief to know that you are going to die soon or would the lack of choice or certainty of death make you panic?

To be completely honest, I would be totally relieved.
I would probably stop being on constant anxiety/panic mode.
I may even experience happiness for the first time in years, knowing that it will all be over soon.
I'm not saying this to be insensitive, but that's my honest first reaction to your question.

 

[offramp]

I have a progressive terminal illness and it's the main reason I want to ctb before becoming a helpless invalid suffering horribly.

Really sorry to hear that. How are you feeling these days?

 

[BPD Barbie]

I was investigated for a brain tumor last year, how I wished and hoped I had one. Turns out I didn't. While I wouldn't wish cancer on anyone, I've lost people too it and seen their suffering, it would be a means to an end for me.

 

[GoodPersonEffed]

Pretty sure I have longhaul COVID and I'm kind of relieved. My heart and lungs and are not the same. I'd rather it kills me, but if it doesn't but gets bad enough, then it's a good reason to just go ahead and ctb.