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Episode 24: How 9-11, Cancer and a Cruise Finally Made Me Plan for End of Life

9/11 cancer communication conversation end-of-life planning planning september 11 Sep 10, 2024
Honey and Santiago with image of Santiago as speaker

Episode Summary: Santiago reflects on significant life events that drove him and his wife Honey to plan for end-of-life, emphasizing the importance of being prepared.

Essential Question: What is it going to take for you to get started planning?

Episode Highlights:

  • 9/11 Experience: Santiago shares his firsthand experience at the Pentagon during the 9/11 attacks and how his team was unprepared for the events that unfolded.
  • A Personal Loss: The sudden death of Santiago’s father served as a second wake-up call, yet he and his family were left scrambling to organize essential documents and navigate military bureaucracy.
  • Battle with Cancer: Santiago recounts his stage 4 cancer diagnosis and how this experience brought the reality of being unprepared into focus once again.
  • The Moment of Change: It wasn’t until 2023, while preparing for a cruise, that Santiago and Honey finally updated their wills, medical directives, and shared their plans with loved ones.
  • Starting Thoughtful Planning: Santiago and Honey launched their podcast, “Thoughtful Planning,” to help others avoid the mistakes they made and encourage proactive preparation for life’s uncertainties.

Advice for Listeners:

  • Review and update your end-of-life documents, including wills, medical directives, and powers of attorney.
  • Communicate your plans with family members to ensure everyone understands your wishes.
  • Establish a routine for reviewing and updating your documents regularly, especially after major life changes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Life is unpredictable—take proactive steps to prepare for the future before it's too late.
  • End-of-life planning not only benefits you but also eases the burden on your loved ones in times of grief.
  • Even when life is busy, it’s important to prioritize planning to ensure peace of mind.
  • Reflect on your personal situation and consider what event it may take for you to start planning for the end of life.

Conclusion:

Santiago and Honey’s journey reminds us that no matter how many wake-up calls life throws our way, the time to act is now. Their transformation from "overburdened planners" to "thoughtful planners" is a powerful testament to the importance of end-of-life planning. Don’t wait for a life-altering event to force you into action—start preparing today to ensure peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Join the Conversation:

What event will it take for you to start planning for the future? Share your thoughts on social media and tag us using @legacytoolkitwithsantiagoandhoney.

Connect, Subscribe & Follow:

Timestamps:

 

  • 00:45 - Introduction and essential question

 

      • Santiago introduces the podcast "Thoughtful Planning"
      • Poses the question: "What is it going to take for you to get started planning?"

 

  • 01:28 - 9/11 at the Pentagon

 

      • Santiago's experience at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001
      • Lack of preparedness and evacuation plans

 

  • 03:50 - Aftermath of 9/11

 

      • Evacuation and communication challenges
      • Santiago's vow to never be unprepared again

 

  • 06:21 - Father's heart attack and passing

 

      • Call from brother about father's condition
      • Realizing the importance of proper documentation

 

  • 08:22 - Cancer diagnosis

 

      • July 2016: Santiago's stage 4 cancer diagnosis
      • Reflection on outdated personal documents

 

  • 09:50 - Post-cancer reflections

 

      • 2017: Declared cancer-free
      • Another vow to get prepared

 

  • 10:03 - June 2023: Pre-cruise preparation

 

      • Realization of outdated documents from 2014
      • Updating will, trust and medical directives

 

  • 11:13 - Thoughtful Planning podcast

 

      • Decision to start the podcast and share their journey
      • Analogy of building a house for end-of-life planning

 

  • 13:45 - Personal reflections on cancer treatment

 

      • Description of radiation effects
      • Struggle to think about planning during treatment

 

  • 14:50 - Significant dates and milestones

 

      • September events: hospitalizations and last cancer bell
      • Importance of being prepared

 

  • 15:20 - Current state of preparedness

 

      • Feeling better prepared now
      • Creating playlists and organizing documents for loved ones

 

  • 15:53 - Closing thoughts

 

    • Recap of events that pushed Santiago to plan
    • Final call to action for listeners

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