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If you knew you had only 4 weeks left to live, what would you do?

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Deja Q Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:06 PM
Original message
If you knew you had only 4 weeks left to live, what would you do?
Just curious...

(No, I'm not contemplating THAT. A higher power might be... depends on the outcome of the surgery. :-) )
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Taverner Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:07 PM
Response to Original message
1. ummmm is there something youre not telling us?
Best of luck in the surgery if thats for real

and as for your question, sky dive
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Deja Q Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:16 PM
Response to Reply #1
16. Oh. It is real. The latest:
It turns out that what the prior neurosurgeon did not tell me to my face, she told in her official report. She is gobsmackingly bright and highly intelligent. Maybe she wanted the replacement scan, though from what she'd written it seemd like it wasn't necessary.

She told me nothing of what she wrote. (essentially that a cervical vertabrae disc is degenerated and pressing against nerves severely. Must be removed...)

My opinion of her was very low until I read the report from Neurosurgeon #2 that she had also sent to my neurologist. I think of her much better now, but why couldn't she just be straightforward and tell me instead of being avoidant? (a personality conflict? Because I seemed confused? :shrug: )

Also note: She discounted the possibility of anxiety BUT said I had very poor concentration and CONFUSION. (of course, I didn't start the B12 supplements until after that, B12 deficiency does cause confusion. She's not to blame for that and I didn't know that at the time either. But since taking B12 supplements I've been feeling a LOT better.)

(oh, semi-off-topic, I'm sending a letter to my quack counselor and his management too. My problem is primarily deficiency or autoimmune-based; with something that isn't anxiety but acts like it being the cause. But that's another problem for another time...)
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skygazer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:22 PM
Response to Reply #16
21. Are you having a cervical fusion?
If so, you should be fine. I had one a year ago and my neck is now in wonderful shape. They took a piece of bone out of my thigh and replaced the rotten disc with it. Then they slapped on a titanium plate to hold it steady, sewed me back up and sent me on my way in a neck brace that made me look like the Bride of Frankenstein.

The worst part was the pain in my thigh but that soon healed. It takes a long time for the bones to fuse and during that time you are in a brace but the pain is manageable and mine healed up beautifully. I'm back at my (very physical) job with NO neck pain whatsoever and only a little less mobility than I had before - small price to pay.

The surgery has a very high success rate and it sounds like you have a good neurosurgeon. If that's the surgery you are having, PM me if you'd like to discuss it. I wish you well. :hi:
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Deja Q Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:26 PM
Response to Reply #21
23. Yup! That's the two scoops of raisins!
Thanks for the info, I'm feeling more optimistic by the day. :D :hi:
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skygazer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:29 PM
Response to Reply #23
25. Piece of cake, Toad
I was only in the hospital overnight and though it was tricky getting around the first week or so, that was mainly because of the thigh incision. It sucked sleeping in a neck brace but I got used to it. And I'm so glad I did it because for the first time in about 12 years, I have NO neck pain at all.

Good luck to ya!
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Deja Q Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:31 PM
Response to Reply #25
27. Wow! They said I didn't need the brace on for sleeping or showering...
But I might wear it one night anyway...

Thanks for the well wishes!

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Commie Pinko Dirtbag Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:08 PM
Original message
I'd keep my mouth shut and buy life insurance.
And leave my family filthy rich. Then I'd get a plane to the USA and go to a DU gathering.
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miss_kitty Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:14 PM
Response to Original message
12. My dad bought a large policy about 8 months before he died
made one payment. Thanks Aetna! Or Prudential or whoever!

And Thanks Dad!
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dhinojosa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:18 PM
Response to Original message
18. Nice...
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arcane1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:08 PM
Response to Original message
2. spend it with my loved-one
loving :)
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candy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:08 PM
Response to Original message
3. I would fly first class to Australia and new Zealand! n/t
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redqueen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:08 PM
Response to Original message
4. What or whom?
:evilgrin:

When's your surgery?

I would quit and travel as much as I could... spend time with friends I haven't seen in a while... spend as much time as I could with my kids... etc.
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Deja Q Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:25 PM
Response to Reply #4
22. Early feb...
Will be out at least 3 weeks.

I'll curtail the morbid jokes; mum got on my case already. :evilgrin: :spank:
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48pan Donating Member (957 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:09 PM
Response to Original message
5. Eat everyting I want! Mocha Cheesecake... Mmmmm... nt
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Rabrrrrrr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:10 PM
Response to Original message
6. I would use all my resources to do what needs to be done
Edited on Tue Jan-11-05 07:10 PM by Rabrrrrrr
to help save the world. Since I'm gonna die anyway.
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Schema Thing Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:12 PM
Response to Reply #6
9. Is that some kinda threat?
Oh I read between the lines alright. I'll be watching you.
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Rabrrrrrr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:13 PM
Response to Reply #9
11. I just have this fear the world might be run over by fresh maine lobsters,
and so I will sacrifice myself by eating them all.
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mcscajun Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:16 PM
Response to Reply #11
15. And we'll build a monument to you...
...out of the shells.

:)
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Schema Thing Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:16 PM
Response to Reply #11
17. Ok. But I'm still keepin an eye on your Dr. visits, dammit.
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Schema Thing Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:11 PM
Response to Original message
7. I would finally have the chance to live like a country music star
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Gothic Sponge Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:12 PM
Response to Original message
8. Kill Myself.
:silly:
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McKenzie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:12 PM
Response to Original message
10. Had to think about that a couple of years ago
cancer...twice in one year.

I spent a lot of time talking to friends, many of whom I'd not seen for ages. People became the most important thing in my life at that point. Anyone who has been there will probably know what I mean.

Hope things go your way if you are facing uncertainty about your health.
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buddhamama Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:22 PM
Response to Reply #10
20. How are you now-
free of cancer? Anyway, I am glad you are still with us. You're a fine addition to our community and, the world needs all the 'good ones'.

I hear you on the importance of People. I think if i were facing such a situation, I'd be content to spend my remaining days with my loved ones- friends and family.

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McKenzie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:28 PM
Response to Reply #20
24. clear so far
luckily it was caught very early. I have always respected the UK health care services; after having received outstanding care my respect has increased even more.

If we spent as much on medical research as we do on bloody armaments cancer would possibly be curable, period.

regards
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ayeshahaqqiqa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:15 PM
Response to Original message
13. Hightail it to NY/New England
for a couple of reasons. I'd make it my "Farewell tour" and request friends and family to donate to Refugees International. I'd go to visit friends in Worcester MA and Cornwall CT, and end up at The Abode of the Message, where I would do zhikar with my husband, my Sufi brothers and sisters, and the Pir of my Sufi order.
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tjdee Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:15 PM
Response to Original message
14. Sky diving I went, Rocky Mountain climbing, I rode 2.7 seconds
on a bull named Fu Manchu...

Wow, I didn't know I knew that much of any country song. But that Tim McGraw is awfully cute.

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Schema Thing Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:20 PM
Response to Reply #14
19. just think what a "redneck faux paux" it would have been...
... if he'd inadvertantly made the line read 'rode 6.9 seconds, on a bull named "Fu Man Chu"'

Whew! That could end a career in country music right there.
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HEAVYHEART Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:30 PM
Response to Original message
26. Hmmm
I think the first thing I would do is give away my 1/4 mil that I inherited recently. Just kidding. hehe.. I'm thinking..
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Schema Thing Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:31 PM
Response to Reply #26
29. How YOU doin'?
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spooked Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:31 PM
Response to Original message
28. visit Europe
n/t
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ignatius 2 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 07:57 PM
Response to Original message
30. Hug my family,tell them how much I love them and what they have
meant to me, eat a huge t Bone with all the fixins',kiss my husband and my baby dogs(Chloe and Benny)and wait for the light.
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rbnyc Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 08:00 PM
Response to Original message
31. Rent a beach house and spend my last days...
...with my son, husband, dad, step-mom, mom, step-dad and best friend.

Also, I'd write out questions that I imagine my son might want to ask me as he gets older, and I'd ask my friends to imagine questions my son might ask, and I write out all my answers in a book that he could keep.

I'd probably start a thread in the Lounge asking people to think of questions.

;-)
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the Princess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-11-05 08:01 PM
Response to Original message
32. I would sell everythinng
And see the world for whatever time I had left. There is one guy I would want to spend one night with (hey I'm human). Then I would go home with hubby and spend every second left awake with him telling him over and over again "I love you more than life".
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