A friend of ours has recently been diagnosed
with cancer. A growth was discovered in her head
in a position on which they are unable to operate,
and she is currently undergoing radiation
treatment. She was an atheist - but has now seriously
turned to religion. This makes me wonder what would
others do? Would any of you turn to religion if you
felt that you were going to die?

Recently had the chance to experience this deathbed situation, and, nope, suspending disbelief wasn't one of my priorities. I wonder how this friend decided which god(s) were the best ones to start believing in. Perhaps there should be a MyGod site where you can compare after death plans of all the different religions.

I more contemplated the mess I would leave for those left behind and amused myself with the fact that even if I survived, which I did of course, nothing would really change despite my short-term enthusiasm for living life a better way.

As has been proven the case.

Houellie,

Hello!

(...not to mention you still have to write that book that I was nagging you to write)

I hope you've recovered well.

The closest I've come in relatively recent years was during the birth of my son when his heart rate dropped and the delivery room was whipped into a frenzy to prepare for an emergency caesarian.

I remember lying on the trolley outside the operating theatre - about 6 of us, doctors, nurses, whoever - crammed into the narrow doorway waiting for the theatre to be hastily prepared. I tried a few wise cracks to take my mind off the life or death nature of the situation.

And in the end there was nothing I could do but say a silent prayer...

They got my son out by the skin of his teeth (as the surgeon put it)

A situation where everything seemed to go wrong - and everything the hospital did in response seemed to go right.

I just remember being reduced to absolute helplessness - and all that was left was the prayer.

Hi Poirot,

The book will stay on my todo list. As I say things don't really change.

Who did you pray to?

My first born was the same, but I was playing the part of the father. I see us all as playing the part in different scenes, perceived as extras in someone else's life. They dressed me in a weird gown and hat and things to put over my shoes, and wheeled my partner in. I had a view through a small window, then they let me in for some reason a bit later, never did find out why I was excluded or included. They also averted the c-section with a lot of bruising to the poor kids head and the Dr was pretty pleased with himself and was lapping up the praise of all around.

I remember there being so many people assembled so quickly all doing their dedicated job. There seemed to be more than a dozen of them.

It's like you say it all turns so quickly, and you stand around like a doofus with no idea what to do or think about it all.

We are all diagnosed with cancer or the equivalent.
A few decades earlier or later makes no significant difference.

Therefore, take refuge in the Eternal.

Foxy asked: Would any of you turn to religion if you felt that you were going to die?

How can I tell whether anybody else would turn to religion? Feel one is going to die? I know I am going to die but just don't know when unless I decide to do it myself.

However, one's feelings about religion can be an important part of one's being, and some people do turn to religion as they get older or have a terminal disease. My father was one such person. It was annoying to me since he expected me to join him in becoming religious.

I don't always succeed, but I try to be both brave and honest. If I knew I was going to die in the near future my turning to religion would be both cowardly and dishonest.