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What If We Started Saying the “D” Words Out Loud?

What If We Started Saying the “D” Words Out Loud?

What if we started saying the “D” words out loud?

Have you ever wondered why society in general so often, maybe even most of the time, avoids using the “D” words. Yes, I mean THOSE “D” words: death, dying, died, dead.

Why is there such an aversion to saying them anyway?

I mean, they’re just words. Saying them won’t jinx anyone. Saying them won’t make death happen sooner.

A while back, I decided to start using the “D” words more. I’ve made a conscious effort to do it.

Why this is, I do not know for sure.

I do know that when thinking about this, I’m reminded of Lisa Bonchek Adams’ post, When I Die. In it, she eloquently writes:

When I die don’t say I “passed.” That sounds like I walked by you in the corridor at school. When I die, tell the world what happened. Plain and simple. No euphemisms, no flowery language, no metaphors…When I die someday just tell the truth: I lived, I died. The end.

Powerful, right?

I used to go to support group meetings, (I stopped, but that’s a different post) and whenever we went around the table and did that introduction thing, besides telling a bit about myself, I’d mention that my mother died from metastatic breast cancer.

I stopped saying, I lost my mother to mbc and started saying, my mother died from mbc.

(People who die are not like sets of lost keys or a pair of glasses that you lose and then find again.)

Reactions were different depending on how I phrased it. I always found that interesting.

More recently, when people offered condolences after my dad died, they almost always said, I’m sorry for your loss. 

You might want to read, Things People Say at Funerals.

Now, I’m certainly not saying there’s anything wrong with saying, I’m sorry for your loss. I say it, too, especially when I don’t know the person I’m saying it to that well. I’m pretty sure the intention behind phrasing it this way is to soften things up. To soften death up. As if that’s really possible.

I’m sorry your dad died perhaps sounds more harsh, more concrete or more something.

But is that necessarily a bad thing? 

I’m just asking. 

Recently, I read a good article titled, Marbles in my mouth:  using the ‘D-words’ by Kathryn Mannix, a palliative care physician and author of the book, With the End In Mind. (I’m going to have to read this.)

Yeah, even the title of her article, ‘marbles in my mouth,’ is good, right?

In the article, Mannix writes about an experience 30 years prior in which an imminently terminal patient of hers directly asked, am I dying?

The author’s response was, of course not, even though she knew full well that, in fact, the patient was dying.

To this day, Mannix regrets not speaking more forthrightly with that patient because lo and behold, by the next morning, the patient had died. Mannix still carries around a certain amount of regret for not being completely frank with that patient even though, of course, she needn’t. She realizes opportunities may have been missed.

Last minute, final loving messages perhaps went unsaid.

So, what if we started saying the “D words” out loud more often?

What if we started talking more openly about, instead of avoiding, hard topics like death?

What if when someone dies from cancer (or any illness), we just said that instead of turning into robots and saying, the person lost her/his battle?

You might want to read, Stating a Person Lost Her/His Battle with Cancer Is Insulting.

What if we started having honest conversations with terminal patients and their families about the process of dying, and what if we did it a whole lot earlier in the dying process?

It’s certainly not like most dying patients aren’t aware.

For example, when my mother was admitted to the hospital after becoming gravely ill from metastatic breast cancer, she was aware. Very aware. I’m pretty sure she was even wishing she could move the dying process along.

One of the most moving conversations I observed during those difficult days, was one between my mother and her very kind and skilled doctor who actually got down on her knees beside my mother’s bed to chat. The sight of that alone was enough to bring me to tears. But the conversation that followed was what I’ve never forgotten.

“Why is it taking me so long to die?” my mother point blank asked.

Her doctor didn’t go into denial mode. Or false hope mode. Or clamming-up mode. Or diversion mode.

She spoke candidly and truthfully. She remained in honesty mode.

Even now, I get emotional thinking about it.

“I don’t know, Jual,” she said. “I understand. But your heart is just so darn strong. I can’t say exactly how long it will take, but it won’t be too much longer. It’ll probably be just a few more weeks.”

Her doctor’s frank response and the manner in which it was delivered, took my breath away. So honest. So caring. So candid. So full of compassion and empathy.

Sometimes, people refrain from having frank conversations about death no matter where a patient falls on the dying continuum for fear of taking away hope. Mostly, we avoid the topic altogether whether we are healthy or otherwise.

Where’s that line between reality and false hope to be drawn?

I don’t know the answer either.

Hope can be a tricky thing.

But truth doesn’t need to be.

Maybe, if we all started speaking more openly about death and starting using the “D” words with less hesitation, it would make at least some parts of the dying process a little easier for everyone, especially for the person dying.

What do you think?

If you want to read more articles like this one, Click Here.

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Why do you think people avoid using the “D” words so often?

Do you use them? 

Why or why not?

 

What if we started saying the "d" words out loud? #death #dying #EOL #metastaticbreastcancer #wordsmatter #saythewords

Cheryl B

Wednesday 27th of April 2022

If you think the “d” words are harsh, I’ve recently been doing some creative writing and have used the phrase, “murdered by cancer” to describe the death of a close friend and I also included this phrase in my obituary,( which I wrote and strongly recommend this as an exercise for those who like me are trying to take control of as many things as I am able to these days!) I also recently took a class on writing about death. It was a unique and almost therapeutic experience for me to be in the company of folks who wanted to talk about death and dying, to write about it and to share because as you pointed out, most folks don’t want to hear about it. (Which I totally get because before I was diagnosed with MBC Stage IV, I wasn’t exactly chomping at the bit to discuss the end of my life either!) As always, Nancy, your post is so relevant to what many of us are experiencing and feeling and I appreciate you giving us a space to have that kind of dialogue.

Nancy

Thursday 28th of April 2022

Cheryl, I've heard a couple others refer to a cancer death as "murdered by cancer". Good for you for putting what you want in your obituary, and that creative writing class about death sounds intriguing. I can understand how therapeutic it must've been for you to be in the company of folks who wanted to talk about death. It amazes me how the topic is avoided so much. I mean, talk about a universal topic that needs a lot more discussion. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this and for your kind words too.

Kristie Konsoer

Wednesday 7th of April 2021

Died and death are to the point. They also decree more of an earthly finality. I am good with the D words. I don't mind pass on, but pass away isn't quite right. Transition is a word that has grown on me because of personal beliefs about what I think happens to souls.

Nancy

Thursday 8th of April 2021

Kristie, I think getting to the point is good. Earthly finality. I like the way you put that. I hadn't really thought much about the word "transition" in this context. It's more of a mindset, I think. I don't see people actually saying someone transitioned upon death, but as a mindset, I can see how it might work. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.

Abigail Johnston

Friday 26th of March 2021

Yes yes and more yes. The book is excellent, by the way. ❤️

Nancy

Monday 29th of March 2021

Abigail, Yep. Just say the words. Good to know about the book. Thank you for sharing.

Carolyn Thomas

Friday 26th of April 2019

Hi Nancy - I worked in hospice palliative care for many years (in communications, not as a clinician) but that is an interesting workplace in which the D-word is heard casually and frequently. Ironically, our 17-bed in-patient unit had at one time been the maternity floor. The windows along one corridor facing the family lounge in fact had once been the windows through which family and visitors could look into the newborn nursery!) Some of our patients had been born on that ward, and were now dying on that ward. It was a wonderful example of the circle of life.

Every person has their own preference around which words feel right to them. Personally, when I go, I want people to say 'SHE DIED!' or 'SHE IS DEAD!' Not passed away, not passed on, not 'gone to be with Jesus'. DIED!

Nancy

Monday 29th of April 2019

Carolyn, My, that is ironic that the patient unit you spoke of was at one time the maternity ward. The circle of life indeed. I agree, every person has the right to her/his own preferences here too. I just wish we could get beyond the platitudes and just state the simple truth more often. My husband sometimes kids me that should I go first and if it's from cancer (or even if it's not), he's going to say I died after a long courageous battle with cancer. Yeah, our senses of humor have been a bit warped by cancer.

Lisa Valentine

Sunday 21st of April 2019

Nancy--I just had a chance to read this post and go back to some of Lisa Bonchek Adam's deeply meaningful writing as well. My sister is dying of MBC. I find myself being more direct and honest with some members of my family, more reserved and protective with others. This post helps remind me that compassion and honesty are the best approach for all involved. The response the doctor gave your mom was so wonderfully kind and genuine. This is new territory for me to be in with a loved one, but your post helps me. Thank you!

Nancy

Monday 22nd of April 2019

Lisa, I am very sorry that your sister's metastatic breast cancer is progressing. I read your recent blog post about that. My heart goes out to you all. I think it's natural that we are more direct with some family members than with others as every relationship is unique. And yes, that response my mother's doctor gave her still makes me emotional. And it wasn't just her words, but her delivery of them. I will be thinking about you and your dear ones as you go through this new territory. I am honored that my post might help in some small way. Thank you for reading and taking time to comment.