VII and VIII Summary and Analysis

The fifth stage of dying, according to the author, is acceptance. During this stage the patient, after having gone through all of the other stages, now wants to quietly retreat to his fate, much like a child returning to the womb. Some patients fight against this stage to the end and in the case of abrupt and sudden death, do not have the opportunity to reach acceptance. This chapter contains the story of Mrs. W. who was ready and prepared for her death, but whose husband could not let go and interpreted her detachment as rejection. He arranged for an additional surgery to prolong her life, and Mrs. W., normally a dignified woman, responded with a psychotic episode. The author's point, again, is that it is important to listen to a dying patient's wishes and needs, and...