If you knew you were dying, would you tell your loved ones?

I wouldn't tell my family I was dieing. People change after you give them that kind of information. I would want to spend the last of my days enjoying my family the way my family has always been. I personally would take the time to write each family member a letter telling them how much I love and respect them.

that they will be fine. My job here is done and God wants me home, you will see me again

if i knew that im going to die, of course i would tell my loved ones.

Wow I can't believe I am seeing this post because this topic has come up in my life this week. I had been commenting to friends that I have never heard of more people dying with cancer then I have in the last month or two. It is so sad. I'm separated from my husband and I have two children 18 and 10. I honestly am not sure if I would tell them or not. I don't ever want to make an selfish decisions but I saw my Mom dying when I was 18-19 and it was so hard. I'm not sure if it is something I could hide (depending on what it is) but I just wouldn't want to burden them with worry. It really makes you think though doesn't it?

i dont think i will tell them. Who wud want to see them crying even before I am gone. Plus, I wudnt want that extra sympathy from them. that will make the situation worse. At the same time, I wud like to do as much as i can as long as I am here.

Having lived through losing a parent who knew they were dying, I can tell you that the most important thing you can say to anyone who you love is that you love them. We just don't say it enough anyway, so saying it before it's too late will make all the difference in the world to those who are left behind. That's what I would tell each and every person who made my life complete.

i think you have a point there. in fact, i have given a lot of thoughts to this before. if i knew when i was going to die, i would wanna tell my parents and my family members too. i would wanna make a song (i got this from blink182s idea) about this and kinda hope they would understand what im trying to say or were im going from. who knows though, if i knew or die before then.

If that was to happen to me I would want to tell them as I would not want my parting to be a total shock to them. OK parting is never easy for those that are left behind, but at least they can prepare themselves for the inevitable. We are going through a situation like this with my younger brother whom sadly has a brain tumour, he dont know how long he has, but at least we know about it and can be there for his lovely wife and family when the time comes to be a comfort for them. My brother has stressed that through his illness he wants us all to be strong for each other as that will help him cope too. Lynn-Marie

I would want to tell them in one way cause want to enjoy life with them and go on as long as I can. Like you said you wouldn't want them to pitty you either. It would be a hard decision but I would not want to be alone in my last few months on this earth. Yes I would not them to be sad when I leave this earth but you know that will be hard to stop. That is a tough decision to make unless you were really in that situation but you know when you find something out like that I would not be able to hide it very long.

Hmm.. actually that is a tough question. I do not want to burden them with the problems.. yet i need a shoulder to cry on..someone to talk about my terminal disease.. but i do not want them to treat me differently..and... there is so much issue involve here.

id rather die alone & keep it to myself.....but before that day ill make sure ive done all the things that i must do & make sure that ive accomplished my purpose here on earth

mom dad i am very guilty of leaving u in this world after being with u for so long.i am also very sad to say i was not able to keep u happy through out ur life. friends good bye hope u continue ur life well.

If we are talking about dying from a sickness that will not somehow show any physical manifestations, then I have the opposite opinion. I would spare my family from the pain and suffering of them knowing that I am dying. I will as much as I could hide it from them, unless of course if it is very obvious. It may be unfair to them, but I want them to understand that all flesh will end the same. And I don't want to be a burden to them. Perhaps, it will take a lot of courage to do that.

i would probably not tell them that ill die soon, of course my family will know for sure, ill juz visit all my close frineds and spend some time with them and tell them i love them and how they made my life a whole lot better...

ya know its funny I came across this thread..this is something I've actually been thinking about for the past yr or so...Not that I'm dying or anything but I ahve been sick and we dont knwo what is wrong and the longer we go the more crap happens...plus considering I have ZERO family medical history to go with we are worried about everything and trying to cross things off the list one by one......So ya, I have given this some thought and other than my husband I'm not sure if I would tell ppl right away, especially not my kids....I would tell them eventually but not immediately....they've been through enough in their lives as it is and I wouldnt want them to slip backwards worrying about me ya know...Then again though I think it would depend on HOW MUCH time I had...I mean if I had only 3 months to live then I would have to tell them fairly soon, but if i had 8-9-10 months I would hold off....

i would have been dying in some months i would not tell me loved one because she will then be always sad dejected with my demise and would never move on life.in fact i would try to break up with her so that she doesn't keep any contact with me.since i love her would not like her to be sad all her life and thats why i would break up with her so that she moves on in life.i would then enjoy the most the remaining days in my life.

This is a tough question to answer..I am just unable to decide as i need to be at that situation to feel it , to feel the need of the hour?? But again I think i will disclose the matter very slowly and gradually to my closed ones ..I will tell them by giving hints and not at once..I think by this they will be able to cope with the situation and will be able to bear the pain.

this is a tough question but I think I would not tell unless it's something that I can't hide and will not happen fast, it's hard to just go away to die and pretend being in vacation or something.. if I can still live normally among my people I would not tell anyone, I usually try hide my illnesses and act normal not to bother anyone or makes them worry.

of course our first reaction would be not to tell them, that we don't want to burden them with the knowledge that we're dying soon. But think about this: don't you think they will be at peace with the knowledge that you passed away and that they did not make the most of your remaining days? Don't you think they would feel guilty that they have not made you feel loved, or they may feel like they were robbed of the opportunity or the chance to take care of you. Don't we always here it from people who's loved ones passed so suddenly, "If only I can hug her, or kiss her or tell her I love her one more time..." You don't want them to feel that do you? I think that part of accepting that you're dying is to be selfless. You don't want to leave them with that guilt that will burden them for a long time even after you've already gone.

I wont tell them that I have a few months to live. I want to depart this world in a peaceful way. I know it would cause a lot of pain for them not knowing of my situation, but knowing my family they will surely do whatever it takes to prolong my life. I will still choose to die alone instead of seeing my loved ones having a difficult time because of me.