From glimpses of heaven to revealing their secret regrets, nurses describe the heart-wrenching last words of dying patients An unwell couple wanted their beds pushed together so they could hold hands Many complain life is too short and regret spending their retirement unwell Previous research found terminally ill patients are surprisingly optimistic In blog posts, the number of positive words increases as death approaches Nurses think people should discuss death openly and prepare for their passing The BBC published the findings online in 'What do people say before they die?' Nurses who care for the terminally ill have revealed the heart-wrenching last words of patients before they die, including their biggest regrets, fears and witnessing glimpses of heaven. Macmillan palliative care nurses at Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, say patients often wish to see their beloved pet one last time, while others simply request a cup of tea. One nurse described how an unwell couple asked for their beds to be pushed together before dying within 10 days of each other. Many patients' last words include them complaining life is too short and regretting they spent their hard-earned retirement in ill health. Previous research from the University of North Carolina found the terminally ill and those on death row are more positive than might be expected, with many calling on family and religion to ease the anxiety of their passing. In an online BBC clip 'What do people say before they die?', the nurses add it is possible to have a 'good death' and explain why people should not be afraid of passing on. Terminally ill patients often request to have one final cup of tea before they pass away Some patients wish to be visited by their beloved pets one last time as death approaches 'Life is too short, do the things that make you happy' As well as some requesting a cup of tea, nurse Dani Jervis said: 'We do get people that would like their favourite tipple,' the BBC reported. Nurse Angela Beeson described how an unwell couple simply wanted their beds pushed together so they could lay side-by-side, holding hands, singing 'Slow Boat to China' together. In terms of feeling regret, Ms Jervis said: ‘One person said life is too short, do the things that you want, do the things that make you happy.' Ms Beeson added: ‘People will have worked really hard and found their retirement was spent in ill health, not doing the things they’d hoped to.’ Past research from the University of North Carolina reveals the blog posts of terminally ill patients are surprisingly uplifting, with the number of positive words increasing as they approach death. Many also mention family and religion, suggesting these ease their anxiety. Lead author Kurt Gray said: 'When we imagine our emotions as we approach death, we think mostly of sadness and terror. 'But it turns out, dying is less sad and terrifying - and happier - than you think. 'In our imagination, dying is lonely and meaningless, but the final blog posts of terminally ill patients and the last words of death row inmates are filled with love, social connection and meaning.' The nurses urge people not to be afraid of death but instead discuss it openly and plan ahead A semi-conscious patient claimed to see a glimpse of heaven and call it 'wonderful' One nurse said her dying aunt was 'talking' to her deceased grandmother as she lay dying A 'good death' involves communication and the patient being pain-free and with their family Glimpses of heaven The Macmillan nurses urge people not to be afraid of death, with some patients reporting they see glimpses of heaven and describe it as 'wonderful Ms Beeson even said her aunt was 'talking' to her deceased grandmother moments before she died. The team add it is possible to have a 'good death', saying communication is key, as well as being pain-free and surrounded by family. People should openly discuss death and prepare in advance for the end of their lives, they add. Source
