Given that we all must face death some day, the question arises: what is the best way to go? Would you rather go aged 90 after prolonged Alzheimers? A slow cancer? A quick heart attack? How about instantly, at speed on the road or track? Or doing your duty? Perhaps you would rather pass on at a time of your own choosing? Is that sadder or less sad than the other options? Maybe you think you are going to live for ever - or just refuse to think about the subject at all. For what it's worth, I would go for the 'instantly' option; definitely don't want to be 90.
you know, i always saw it as being on my 88 birthday, having climed on my 999R, stuck behind the bubble, 9K in 4th leaned over in a long bend and then the last thing you see is V O L V O F 1 2 but hey, that is not going to happen, now is it...
There's nothing that magic about 90. Some people are still fine at 90, for others, it was all getting a bit much at 70. My mum is 85 and there's nothing much wrong with her - still very active and in possession of all marbles. I don't think about it at all really. I feel that there is still an awful lot I should have done that I still haven't done. Mind you, I'm a bit young for shuffling off the mortal coil just at the moment.
Whatever your fate, make sure that you dont have too many " I wish I had done ------ when I had the chance" thoughts at the end !! So, I have two big ones on my list; sail across the atlantic as crew on a yatch, a few weeks out on the open ocean must give a great sense of perspective, or, in a similar vein, ride from London to Ulan Bator on one of those ( quite expensive ) kudu adventures. Tenting your way across the Rusuian steppes into Kazakstan etc- Wow ! ( only one though - dont want to be greedy)
My mother died 1972, from a form of heart attack (painless and in her sleep) aged 41. My father died 2008, a bit frail and beginning to lose it,from a stroke aged 85. My stepmother has been in a home since 2008. She is 77, completely off her trolley with Alzheimers and various other illnesses, thin, frail and in whatever world she now inhabits (if she is even in a world....who knows). My grandfather died aged 73 in the 60s. Gassed in WW1 aged 17, wounded in WW1 aged 17, smoked Senior Service, played the euphonium, guard on Norwich to London train for years until he retired. Had bronchitis, asthma, emphysema (you can see how I'm going to go), yet lasted all that time. My mate's father has just died aged 85 having been in a home since 2007 with various illnesses (prostrate cancer and other things) creeping up on top of dementia, finally went from a stroke. To say that wasn't a relief would be wrong. Frankly I don't care how I go as long as it doesn't hurt...........and even if I go soon rather than at 90, I'll still come back and haunt all you b*ggers. AL
i operate and develop quit a bit of elderly people homes... there are many ways to go but the one to really avoid is having no one near... they will stop the pain, but loneliness is not something our wonderfull staff can remedy. It has to be next of kin...
I've lived a pretty good life and to honest some of the things I've done mean I'm only here by the grace of God. I've claimed mountains, raced motorcycles, served my Country, jumped out of aeroplanes, and other things that have put me in harm's way. When I die I'd like it to be peacefully in my sleep. But hopefully it'll be a long way off after I've seen my beautiful daughter grow up and be happy.
I'm watching my old man get frailer each week with lung cancer caused by asbestos from his industrial past. And my mum is more and more oblivious to this everyday as her dementia gets worse. Both are 85 and it's not nice watching previously fit and active people slip away like this. Having held the thought, in my youth, that I'd like to go out in a blaze of glory, I think nowadays I'd prefer to be fine and in seemingly good health and in control of my faculties and just slip away in my sleep having lived life to the full.
Similar sentiments to Dodgy Dave (Dave have you seen this Mongol Rally | The Adventurists ). I think 90+ and quick, not a bike crash though, my daughter has already got her eye on the Duc, would like her to have it in one peice with good memories.
As I said after Tomizawa's and Marco's deaths I'd bet they wouldn't want it any other way and me neither. If I make it to 90 I'd have some good memories, if I die on my bike so be it, I died doing what I loved.
A very topical subject for me. My father died at 87 earlier this year from lung cancer, it was several weeks after diagnosis,he knew something was wrong before that point but he was struggling to deal with my mother's slide into Alzheimers. For a death from lung cancer it could have been a whole lot worse than it was, but it wasn't how I would want to go. My mother is 84 and had to go into a care home, she could easily go on till 90 or more with Alzheimers, her mother did. Ideally we would go out like a light at a ripe old age after a good life, but that will be for the minority. I think we have to balance quality of life against the physical cost for life. Beyond a certain age paliative care is the way to go in the event of serious illness, also I would stay out of hospital for as long as possible. My father was admitted to hospital last Christmas Day morning after falling and being unable to get back up. He was in for 3-4 days and came out in a worse condition than he went in. The NHS runs on a skeleton staff over Christmas and the standard of care he received was appalling. You wouldn't let an animal suffer the way we as a society allow people to suffer. We can only choose the time of our death whilst we are still mentally and physically in control of our life. It would take a brave person to rationally make that decision and put it into practice before the point at which you loose the ability to do so. I know that my mother of several years ago would have said she would prefer not to live with Alzheimers. A short death will always be preferable to a long lingering one.
Sounds like you are in a similar situation to where I was this time last year. There are no easy solutions unfortunately.
Is it me or do you not think that this thread was appropiate at this given time when a fellow member has passed away? I think a little sensitivity might go along way given that his girlfriend might be reading these forums?
That is precisely why this thread is appropriate at this time. Why on earth would you think otherwise? What are you talking about?
Indeed. My dad was diagnosed with Mesothelioma back in January this year and was given 12-14 months. I can now see him counting down the days when I visit. So sad to see.
I think it is absolutely appropriate. It is a subject that is all too often ignored until it is too late.
I must agree with peterT given the unfortunate loss of one of our forum members it is inappropriate right now however I do also agree that it's a topic worthwhile discussing however I do think that a little consideration should be given for those that are coming to terms with the loss of a friend aka Steve and therefore I wouldn't imagine this is a thread he would wish to read or participate in at this moment in time.......a worthwhile subject but at a very sensitive time
