3 Secrets to Increasing Joy for Your Loved Ones at End-of-Life

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3 Secrets to Increasing Joy for Your Loved Ones at End-of-Life
It doesn't seem like death and joy go together, but they can. Here's how.
BY SUSAN DUCHARME HOBEN

freestocks.org
While death is an obvious somber moment, it can also be a spark for joy.

“ Even as Bruce’s health declined we knew this was not a time to ration visits.”

You don’t often see joy used in the same sentence as death. But when my husband Bruce was diagnosed with an aggressive stage 4 cancer, my family had to confront his impending death and in the process we found ways to surround him with friends, children, grandchildren, laughter, memories, love, and yes, joy.

When Bruce decided to stop treatment, he transitioned from being someone who was sick and fighting for time to someone who was dying and fighting for the things that made him happy: family, traveling, chocolate, wine. By accepting he was dying we were all able to focus our energies on achieving the peaceful end-of-life experience that he wanted. On Bruce’s journey I learned many powerful life-affirming lessons about how laughter can be the best medicine, and one that is especially potent at the end of life.

Here are 3 measures that can bring joy to what appears to be the most heart wrenching experience we can ever face.

Invite Friends and Family on the Journey

The first thing Bruce did was reach out to our friends and family. What began as a regular e-mail update that I wrote for family went viral in our extended network of friends. Over time Bruce added his witty post scripts and eventually wrote the updates himself. He wrote a Dear Colleagues e-mail, telling them that he was in the third act of a play called life and that the good news was that he got to say goodbye and experience an outpouring of love and concern and care. He invited them to call, e-mail or visit him. The responses flooded in.

I could count on one hand the days we were not physically surrounded by love and friendship, and on those rare days there were cards and letters waiting in the mailbox, e-mails and calls, CDs, books, inspirational tokens, and deliveries of homemade food, cradling both of us in love and friendship. Even as Bruce’s health declined we knew this was not a time to ration visits. It was exactly the right time for family, friends, and love.

Recreate Treasured Times

Bruce took a walk down memory lane, visiting his hometown where he retold the stories of his childhood standing in the places where they actually happened. We whisked our young granddaughter away for a few days in New York City, continuing an annual tradition that had begun when she was a toddler. We took our children and grandchildren to a beach house for a week, allowing Bruce (and us) to do the things he loved to do. Every afternoon we reflected on joyous moments of the day, recalling memories and emotions from many happy times spent near the ocean. The memories themselves, as well as the sharing of them, brought all of us joy and comfort.

Gather to Celebrate a Life Well-Lived

Bruce was the guest of honor at his own “Irish Wake” where revelers shared laughter and tears as they told stories of their times together. Some remembrances were murky and/or partially disputed, a kernel of truth in all of them but needing to be consumed with a shaker full of salt. His colleagues roasted him with hilarious anecdotes and heartwarming tributes, making clear what he had meant to them personally and professionally. Their expressions of love and respect stayed with him until the end and will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Death is an experience we will all share. Our goal should be more than just muddling through. It should be living fully to the very end. It should be embracing joy and celebration. The value to Bruce of the compassion, comfort, and laughter of friends was obvious, but the value to those of us who loved him was equally profound. Our last months were some of the most celebratory, peaceful, and intimate we had shared during our 46 years together. My transition to being a widow was immeasurably eased by the joy we shared at the end of his life.

Many more of us are dying from disease rather than sudden death. We are also living longer with terminal illnesses. The plus is that we have more time to say goodbye, to live fully and joyously until the end. Carpe Diem!

Susan Ducharme Hoben is an award-winning author of "Dying Well: Our Journey of Love and Loss" and renowned advocate for choosing the path of a peaceful end-of-life. Her insights challenge and inspire us to fundamentally shift our perspective on death. She is a sought-after media expert and has appeared on national media outlets, including NBC and ABC, and Sirius XM/Doctor Radio. Connect with Susan on Facebook. To review additional articles and for more information on her work visit www.susanducharmehoben.com.

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