# So what do you worry about killing you, then? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 21, 2015, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745 "2015-07-21T02:00:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/41 "2015-07-21T17:03:56Z")
My father just turned 90, my mother will turn 90 next year, and I’m in pretty good shape, so in all likelihood I’m gonna be around for awhile. I used to worry about strokes and heart attacks, since that’s how three of my grandparents died. Since my parents have gotten to their current ages without any of that, I’m less worried about those things. Now it’s more whether I’m vulnerable to Parkinson’s, which has gradually reduced my father’s ability to function to the point where he has to be lifted from his bed to his wheelchair, and whatever form of dementia has afflicted my mother. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/42 "2015-07-21T17:22:52Z")
Some ridiculous exercise thought up as part of “corporate training” or “employee socializing”. NO, I’m NOT playing baseball with you people! > [@Chimera](#): > > Complication of Type II Diabetes combined with bodily degeneration (seriously; 5 herniated disks, severe arthritis in spine, bad knees, etc), marginally high blood pressure (with bad past reactions to BP meds) and family history of heart problems. > > Since I seemed to have won the family bad genetics lottery on both sides, I’m starting to fear for my own mortality. I’m 53 and really hoping I don’t end up the crazy uncle who dies in his mid-50’s from all his health issues. I understand. My own litany is topped off with longtime chronic asthma. I really hope my death doesn’t involve a bad asthma attack. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/43 "2015-07-21T17:26:14Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Now it’s more whether I’m vulnerable to Parkinson’s, which has gradually reduced my father’s ability to function to the point where he has to be lifted from his bed to his wheelchair, and whatever form of dementia has afflicted my mother. My dad has PD; he’s been told he will die _with_ PD, but not _from_ it. But I think that may be a technicality. PD isn’t generally fatal by itself, but since your muscle control and balance suffer, you’re more likely to experience a fall that may kill you. There’s also a greater tendency for PD sufferers to slurp their food, and they also tend to have swallowing difficulties - both of which can lead to aspiration of food into the lungs, which can result in pneumonia, which in turn can be fatal. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/44 "2015-07-21T17:45:47Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > I accept my mortality and don’t worry about how I’m going to due. I worry about hot in living my life. I’m pretty sure, if I parse that right, it sums up exactly how I feel. If, by chance, I’m parsing it incorrectly then I vehemently disagree and strenuously object. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/45 "2015-07-21T18:20:26Z")
In order of (my assessment of) probability: Car crash Cancer Other health issue I’m not aware of but is silently lurking in my body ready to kill me at any moment Homicide Being trapped somewhere and not being able to get help and subsequently starving to death ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/46 "2015-07-21T19:27:52Z")
> [@Desert\_Nomad](#): > > In no particular order 😉 > > 1. Sea monsters > 2. Losing the engine in my airplane and having to make an off-field landing. I’ve had two engine failures in airplanes and one emergency off field landing, several non-emergency off-field landings. They really aren’t as inherently hazardous as most people seem to think. I do, however, fear that, despite taking precautions to the point of being labeled paranoid, I will one day have a fatal reaction to something I eat. Have had two near misses on that one, would prefer to live to very ripe old age without another. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/47 "2015-07-21T19:35:54Z")
Merging on the freeway because some ass in front of me is doing 15 mph. ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/48 "2015-07-21T20:35:30Z")
I fly a lot so I’m always worried about plane crashes. I **am** afraid of ISIS considering my job and where I do it. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/49 "2015-07-22T00:27:44Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Suicide. Ouch. Yeah, that’s on my list too, although I’m not too awfully worried. I’ve got the temptation mostly under control. Being a Californian, I have some fear of the next BIG earthquake. (At least with heart disease and strokes, I can exercise and eat well. With suicide, I can see a counselor and explore medication. But what the frack can one do to reduce the chances of an earthquake?) ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/50 "2015-07-22T01:03:52Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > But what the frack can one do to reduce the chances of an earthquake?) Move? I think the biggest earthquake here in my lifetime was less than a 4.0 and unusual for them to be above 3. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/51 "2015-07-22T01:18:11Z")
Dinosaurs smoking long and smelly Cohibas while riding huge, runaway asteroids. Yeup, that is my worry. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/52 "2015-07-22T01:21:36Z")
My father died of a brain aneurysm at 42. I’m worried that I’ll die the same way. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/53 "2015-07-22T01:29:26Z")
I’m 71. Probably have more to worry about than most posters. Fortunately have long lived genes in both family sides. Should make it to 90 or so. If cancer doesn’t show up, I should make it. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/54 "2015-07-22T01:45:24Z")
> [@willthekittensurvive](#): > > question is if, not what… > > but, in order of likeliness: > > Cardiovascular diseases > Infectious and parasitic diseases > Ischemic heart disease > Malignant neoplasms (cancers) > Cerebrovascular disease (Stroke) > Respiratory infections > \ > Melanoma and other skin cancers > Hepatitis C > Leishmaniasis > Trypanosomiasis > Benign prostatic hyperplasia I think you forgot Hansen’s Disease, cat scratch fever (da-na-na-na!), and hantavirus. Some new ICD-10 codes have given me new things to worry about. [ul] [li]Injury by duck; [/li][li]Sucked into jet engine, _subsequent encounter_; [/li][li]Burn due to water-skis on fire;[/li][li]Asphyxiation due to being trapped in a (discarded) refrigerator, assault[/li][li]Toxic effect of contact with other jellyfish, assault[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/55 "2015-07-22T02:05:47Z")
I assume it’ll eventually be the cancer coming back, but I don’t _fear_ that, per se. The only thing I fear, other than parenting a teenaged daughter, is Alzheimer’s. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/56 "2015-07-22T02:42:59Z")
I don’t want to die a painful death (i.e., fire) or a prolonged vegetative state death. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/57 "2015-07-22T02:58:56Z")
I can’t say that fear or worry factor into the equation. When it is my time I will go peacefully or kicking, screaming, biting and eye-gouging, whatever is appropriate to the circumstances. Currently my highest risk activity is motorcycling, therefore the most likely. Then any other vehicular misadventure, heart attack, and stroke. And depending on which hobby I’m engaged in, electrocution can be on the wheel of misfortune as well. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/58 "2015-07-22T11:22:09Z")
I was talking to a woman whose hand was heavily wrapped in a thick bandage. I assumed laceration or burn. Nope, it was a _power washer_ injury. Ouch. Not a way to go that I’d choose. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/59 "2015-07-22T12:17:07Z")
I’m not afraid of dying because I don’t plan on doing it at all. It’s a mug’s game, dying, and you lot only do it because you’ve been told to and it’s fashionable. Sheeple. ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745/60 "2015-07-22T12:42:28Z")
Although dying of natural causes isn’t welcome, my fears are more of dying “before my time” due to accident or violence. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-worry-about-killing-you-then/725745.md?page=4)