I am the first to admit that I am petrified of death. While I don't feel like I am "fighting it," in the sense to prolong my life unnaturally, when confronted with the fact that I *might* have something that would cause me to die right now, I freak out. When I said my family had good genes/longevity, I meant that they all (except my mom) lived into their 90's, with a good quality of life for that age. My dad is 85 and still works. He has "stuff," but it doesn't stop him. He smokes and doesn't exercise; just think what his health might be like if he didn't have those risk factors. Three out of my four grandparents lived to about 92. They all looked great, had all of their intellectual faculties, and generally lived life to the fullest up until the day they died. My grandfather worked, selling scrap metal until his death. The younger people in his field were clamoring for him to retire, so they could steal his accounts! He didn't become financially successful until he was well into his sixties, maybe 70. I just want to be like them.
You know, Oakleaf, my mom had a living will. She was extremely adamant about "no extraordinary measures." But, when she was actually in the situation where her liver transplant had failed, her kidneys were failing, and her heart was messed up, she told my dad and brother she wanted to "keep going" with some of the extraordinary measures they were trying in the ICU. Although my dad and brother made the right decision when it was clear nothing more could be done, I think I know how she felt. She had only just turned 67 when she died; that's about ten years older than I am now.
I guess I am in that "generativity" stage of development now. I want to be around to pass the torch and see my grandchildren when they come. Yes, my life has been pretty good, and I have no regrets, so even though I entirely live to enjoy myself right now, I don't like the thought of dying, either. I don't think it's the medical establishment making me feel this way; it's me... based on the role models I have seen in my family.