Reply #30: NO [View All]

[chefgirl]

When I was a teenager, I was extremely sick for five years (between ages 15 and 20). Without going into it too much, I finally had to have surgery after 5 years of drug after drug, none of which ever had any lasting positive effect.

I almost died a few times during the five years, because of loss of weight, low blood pressure, septicemia, etc... Every time it happened, and I survived, I was more and more petrified of death.

Finally, the surgery was a last ditch attempt. It carried a LOT of risk, so my Doctors gently suggested that if I opted for surgery I should probably also make my peace with the less than 50/50 odds I was given.

It took a lot of soul searching, deep thinking, fear, tears, lashing out, etc..., but I DID make my peace with the concept of my own death. For me, it was a matter of accepting that if it happens, it happens, and it eventually happens to us all.

Thankfully, the surgery was successful and after being forced to come to terms with death, I've never been afraid of it since.

-chef-