While We're Still Here

This is not a repeat episode but a repeat topic with a bonus - more updated information for us to consider as we age and face our end of life. While We're Still Here Episode dated 09/20/2023 "Are You Living Your Last Decade? How Would You Know That?" https://peterattiamd.com/start-here/ https://www.selfauthoring.com/ https://chriskresser.com/  988lifeline.org Send a text Listen and...

Snail mail that is. For years now, email has replaced old-fashioned "snail mail", which itself has been shadowed by the faster communication options such as texting and so on. Nonetheless, sometimes, receiving a written letter brings familiar memories. Listen to how Postal Service for the Dead helps us stay connected to ones we've lost. https://sleepysue.studio/   look up workshops...

I'm learning that I keep learning everyday. I'm sharing some of that learning today and hope to inspire you all to grab learning where you can get it. I learn professionally, of course. In my life and relationships, I appreciate the opportunities to learn because, positive or negative, there are nuggets for me to take into new situations and old ones. https://fivewishes.org Send a text L...

Here are some facts that I consider to be important reminders that we have work to do before we die.  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle Bray specifically for this show. Reach out to me...

Dr. Mandar Kataria thinks so, and many professionals agree. In the grief space, being able to find my laugh again was a big step forward to healing. Recently in a webinar, a doula mentioned laughter yoga. I marked that in my notes. I looked it up and signed up for an online class. How was it? Listen in... https://laughteryoga.org Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com...

Susan is a woman you won't forget. Here's her story.... BUT THERE IS A WARNING: Adult topics like suicide are mentioned. Please call 988 if you or someone you share this with may be struggling and want to speak with someone who can help. This episode has so many nuggets I don't want you to miss any of them. Here is a list of nuggets I hope you can find in this episode: mamma bear, d...

I found this piece and wanted to share it with you all. Many of us are familiar with the stages of grief Dr. Kubler Ross established for terminally ill patients. What you'll hear in this episode may validate some feelings around grief.  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting wi...

Standby for tears today.  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle Bray specifically for this show. Reach out to me if you want the score. The logo artwork was provided by Maddie's Plush...

This won't be a deep dive into tissue and organ donation, more like a comparison to whole body donation. I have also included some facts that I believe are important and crucial to anyone considering this method of body disposition. Important links are included below: Eye donation: https://www.eyedonation.org/ https://donatelife.net/donation/organs/cornea-donation/ https://www.aao.org/eye-hea...

Yes! I hadn't considered this as a green option for body disposition, but it checks the boxes so far as I have learned. https://www.ohsu.edu/body-donation Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided...

There are companies turning our loved ones' bodies into soil. Check it out. https://earthfuneral.com https://recompose.life https://returnhome.com Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still Here Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle...

Many people I speak to have asked me about the idea of a body becoming a tree.  Pretty cool concept since our collective conscience is becoming aware of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants. Maybe this is the answer! Not so fast.... The designers of a body becoming a tree: Capsula Mundi https://www.capsulamundi.it/en/ https://www.thelivingurn.com Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://while...

How many times have we said that? How many times have we said that and still didn't do something? How many times did we miss our chance to reach out - forever?  That can be a heavy thought to have in your brain. The heaviness can lead to action: to not miss out on moments when the image of someone you are missing pops into your head and you think you should call, or text.  Send a text Listen...

Let's start talking green burial. First off, you may want to find a cemetery that follows green practices. The best way to find that is to look at the Green Burial Council website. Their directory lists certified cemeteries by their criteria, by state. https://greenburialcouncil.org/cemeteries.html Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewere...

April 16 is the day! You can complete an Advance Directive and Power of Attorney for Healthcare any day, but why not take advantage of this national day? Look for an event near you. I am planning an event in my area and I am so excited to see how many folks will attend to learn more about this important task. https://prepareforyourcare.org https://fivewishes.org https://theconversationproject.org...

Garrick is a self-described gamer. He owns an escape room in Richland, WA, called PerplEXIT. We met at a Death Cafe and have had some one-on-one discussions as well. What could a gamer add to the death conversation? Plenty, and you have to listen to get the nuance of the relationship. --Listen for two topics: Gear Fear and Acceptance. If you aren't a gamer you may think you won't learn a...

We've covered active listening, starting conversations with those who need to share, and how to keep from shutting down conversation by turning the attention to ourselves. We want to be good listeners and display care for those folks speaking to us, but, when do We get to speak and share?  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere...

Created for people to have a somewhat more comprehensive advance directive, the Five Wishes form includes the elements of the advance directive, the health care power of attorney, a wallet card, and space to fill out special instructions. Take a listen... Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Facebook: While We're Still He...

Now that you've thought about who will speak and advocate for you should you be unable to speak for yourself, what will you include in your Advance Directive? This can be an emotional and difficult process. It's not a one-and-done document. You can and should review your AD when you have a new diagnosis or if you've learned something that has changed how you think about dying.  -Not...

So, you've decided you want to ask someone to be your healthcare proxy, agent, or POA for healthcare. Have you considered them carefully, to make sure they are the best choice? Have you chosen alternates? Listen in to find out what considerations you should make in choosing your healthcare proxy, agent, or POA.  Each state has their own name for this individual or these individuals. Check onl...

Maybe Valentine's Day (or the day after) is as good a day as any to designate your health care proxy, or at least have a conversation with whom you'd want to advocate for you should you become unresponsive, or for whatever reason unable to communicate. Learn about the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare: listen in.  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com...

This is what I would consider to be a foundational question you'll want to ask yourself as you consider your end of life. You have options. You'll want your loved ones to know your choices: Your ideal choice, the adequate choice, and the acceptable choice, based on finances and support system. You can also choose not to choose.  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestill...

Let's dig in and talk about the really tough topics. We've learned about thanatology, conversation, why to have one, and how to be a good listener. But what is it we're supposed to talk about?  Unless we address our own dying and death and how we would like our end of life to be, how can we talk about it with those folks who may be speaking for us some day?  Facing each day knowing...

I've been thinking about this episode for a while now, and my encounter with a stranger was what I needed to record and bring it to you. Four letters: how can four letters make up a word that carries so much power? Sometimes, this word is THE BEST word for the job. I can't deny it.  Send a text Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.c...

It sure can! We bought our son a deck of conversation starters when he was visiting over Christmas and it was fun going through some of the topics, which were light and fun. Since this show is about dying and death and having conversations about end of life, I present you with the End of Life Deck. This comes from the makers of the Death Deck. When a caregiver is building a trust relationship with...