Hospice nurse Julie McFadden, who has witnessed hundreds of deaths, revealed that many dying patients share a common regret: not appreciating their health. With over 2.5 million followers on social media, Nurse Julie has dedicated her career to demystifying death and encouraging people to embrace the natural process of dying. She often hears patients express a wish that they had valued their health more when they were well.
In an episode of the “Disruptors” podcast with Rob Moore, Julie emphasized that many people regret spending too much time on work and not enough time enjoying life and their well-being. To practice what she preaches, Julie maintains a nightly gratitude list, appreciating simple things like breathing, walking, and feeling the sunshine.
Julie, who also authored the book Nothing to Fear, advocates for better education on the dying process, suggesting it could help people and their loved ones cope better. Despite her profound insights, Julie acknowledges that she sometimes takes life for granted too. Her experiences have taught her to appreciate the incredible complexity of the human body and its natural lifecycle.
The nurse also highlighted the unfortunate reality that dying well often requires significant financial resources in the U.S. She pointed out that hospice care is not free, and those without substantial wealth may struggle to access quality end-of-life care. Julie’s message is clear: while money might not buy happiness, it can alleviate the stress of dealing with the dying process.
