So I have a definite science bent. I am fascinated with the process of dying. Looked it up, what are the typical symptoms, where am I in the process.
Death Is A Process
As most people are massively freaking out and I alone am somewhat objective about it, will just say yes what I am going through matches descriptions of what happens during the dying process.
I will say to my surprise people do not just keel over. You can start the process of dying and live for weeks or even months.
The active death phase can take up to three days!
This timeframe generally applies to death from illness, like what is happening to me. A bullet to the brain or sudden cardiac arrest will take you out rather fast.
I See Dead People
I also noticed that the articles (mostly on hospice sites) talked about visions/hallucinations/delusions. Claims of talking to deceased people and whatnot.
The general advice is pat the dying person on the head and put on their favorite music. Good recommendation on the music. Now have it going all the time.
Above all, these articles say, do not disbelieve the dying person. This will upset them, and it happens to so many it is considered a normal death experience.
But the overall attitude is this is weird, unexplainable phenomena. It isn’t, will talk more about that in a bit.
Hospices Are Kind Places
Hospice care is basically whatever care is needed to ensure calm and comfortable so the patient passes peacefully.
Ironically I volunteered at two hospices, even worked in medical records.
Amusingly, patients didn’t die; they were discharged. In the case they lived or moved to another hospice, that was called a live discharge.
Everyone deals with stuff in their own way. That is why people use euphemisms; it distances them emotionally from hard realities.
Hospices always attracted me; end of life care attracted me. I follow the Confessions of a Funeral Director guy on Facebook. Bought his book too.
Facing My Own Death
I had to go through training to volunteer at the second hospice. (The first one I played piano for so no training required.) An essential part of that training was facing and accepting my own mortality.
I had to write about matters related to my own death, face any feelings about that. Maybe that is part of how ok I am with it now.
Above and beyond any training I have faced and cheated death so many times a little surprised Death will finally win a match.
Playing Mortal Kombat With Death
There have been crucial spiritual battles I consider life-threatening. More than I will recount.
But there were also three suicide attempts, two of which landed me in ICU. Emergency gallbladder surgery that nearly ended in sepsis. Sepsis is basically multiple organ failure due to massive infection.
I also had cellulitis with bacteremia. Praise the Lord the antibiotics worked. The CDC was consulted on that one and they considered amputation!
Oh I guess I did have sepsis, but as they didn’t want me to massively panic they called it bacteremia. Woo, almost died pretty literally.
There are other incidents too I cannot discuss. Not to mention all the hospitalizations over suicidal ideations too numerous to mention.
So Death a familiar sparring partner, spent years training in his dojo. Learned unique and difficult lessons there.
Death Is Primarily Spiritual
Common symptoms of death, according to hospice literature, are:
- Visions/delusions/hallucinations.
- Claims of speaking with deceased people.
- Agitation.
- Anxiety.
Science has gone to a tremendous amount of trouble to deny the existence of the spirit world. So what I attribute all this is to the spiritual component of death.
Hospices acknowledge there is one but speak of it in the most general terms. As they serve all, they have to accommodate all spiritual beliefs or lack thereof. So this is sensible.
I believe completely in Jesus Christ Who literally keeps me alive. So I assert these “symptoms” are the natural consequences of dying and being utterly unprepared for this.
What Is Out There In The Great Beyond?
The spirit world is quite real. All this activity happens to a soul waking up to final realities and oh crap what do I do now???
Dying can be painful. Most people in hospice suffer minimal pain, so something else must be causing all that upset and anxiety.
The visions are quite real. Speaking to an apparently deceased person means the dying person has contacted a spirit. Of course it upsets them if you disbelieve as this is the truth!
Preparation For Death Is Essentially Spiritual
All the meds and treatment given in hospice care are to keep the patient calm and comfortable. The dying soul has tough work to do, and every soul does this work differently.
Hospices say spiritual health at this juncture consists of doing the following:
- Forgiving those who have harmed you.
- Seeking forgiveness from those you have harmed.
- Expressing gratitude for good things.
- Expressing love towards loved ones.
- Tell people goodbye.
I am taking notes from the experts and doing this. But this is spiritual work!
I will accept expert opinion that probably people who do these have easier deaths than those who don’t.
Tug Of War
I utterly believe your soul is in a lifelong tug of war between the Lord Jesus Christ and Satan, Good and the inferior Evil. You will end up in one camp or the other regardless of what you thought in life.
The agitation/visions/etc. are from finding out this is reality you weren’t prepared for, and frantically trying to cope last minute.
I am so happy and at peace people find this remarkable. This is because I am well prepared spiritually.
Jesus Christ Holds The Keys Of Hell And Death
“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” ~ Revelation 1:18, KJV.
I believe in Jesus Christ. He came in the flesh and is my personal Lord and Savior. I love Him beyond life.
He loves me back! He died for me; He is always there for me, and has granted many favors and graces besides.
If you would like a life full of joy and a peaceful happy death, please pray with me:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your gift of salvation. I admit I am a sinner in need of Your salvation. I believe and accept your Son Jesus Christ, Who is fully God and fully human, came in the flesh, died for my sins, was buried and was raised from the dead. I invite Him into my heart to be my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for loving me enough to save me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
I Prayed The Prayer, What Do I Do Now?
These are good churches that will get you started on your new walk with the Lord.
Victory Worship Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
The River Church, Salem, Oregon, USA.
Life.Church (online ministry).
The Lord Jesus Christ abundantly bless you all! ❤❤❤
