How to live with dying

Sir, – The article by Bridget Megarry (Health + Family supplement, January 29th) brought this reader through a cascade of emotions…

Sir, – The article by Bridget Megarry (Health + Family supplement, January 29th) brought this reader through a cascade of emotions starting with anger and sadness, moving on to hope and eventually acceptance. Ms Megarry’s account of her experiences in living with dying was honest, truthful and beautiful. I hope the medical treatment she is receiving extends her life as she wishes.

Her request at the end of her piece for some form of written advice to help those in her circumstances and those comforting the terminally ill is perhaps answered in her own article. Her experiences could form the basis of such a book. I offer a proposed title for such a project, one I hope reflects her current reality. The title could be, “The Sun Always Rises: Even When You Are Gone.” I hope/wish/pray that she is granted the time she desires. – Yours, etc,

OWEN DOYLE,

Donadea, Co Kildare.

Sir, – Bridget Megarry (Health+Family Supplement, Janurary 29th) gets my nomination for “woman of the year” for her incisive opening of the discussion on how we might deal with the prospect of death when unfortunately our mortality is imminent.

What a calm, reasoned and beautifully articulated piece of logic, expressing such powerful emotions on an issue that infiltrates all our families and friends. She is to be lauded, treasured but above all else listened to, as hopefully she remains healthy enough to contribute so wisely to this debate in the future. – Yours, etc,

CARMEL LYNCH,

Orwell Park Close,

Templeogue, Dublin 6W.