When facing death in the face

“If there is someone you must see, this is the tie to call them.”

This was something told to someone at a hospice facility in Ilsan, Goyang City in Gyeonggi Province recently.

The place looks like any other hospital but most of the people there are facing imminent death.

For the 56-year-old Kim, the time had come. His blood pressure fell suddenly and was moved to the stabilization ward but soon passed away, said Prof. Kim Young-sung of the center.

The following day, a 51-year-old person suffering from oral cancer died as well. He showed symptoms of fear about his environment, something that happens when a person undergoes major surgery. He too died from a drastic drop in his blood pressure.

His only family was his sister and her husband and they decided not to perform an elaborate funeral.

Prof. Kim said six in 10 patients recognize the fact that they are facing death. “All we can do is to reduce their pain and help them find peace of their minds.” <The Korea Times>