When Dr. Larry Librach was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer he knew it was bad news; most patients with his type of cancer survive only a few months.  With his cancer slowly robbing him of life, Dr. Librach decided to share his final weeks and days with W5. In a series of interviews with Dr. Marla Shapiro, who Librach once taught, he recalled the first time a patient, abandoned by the medical system, died in front of his eyes as he tried to manage the pain of a man whose last six weeks were pure agony.

Dr. Librach, almost single–handedly, championed palliative care in Canada and worldwide, ensuring those with little chance of survival, and their families, meet what he called "a good death."  "Dying is as important as birthing, and we need to make sure that people are cared for at both ends of life," Librach said, "as well as the life in-between."  A good death means patients are involved in decision-making, are supported by family and friends, and receive the best pain management possible.   

Author of palliative care and pain management textbooks, Larry started writing a book in his final weeks that will be completed posthumously; and he continues teaching, even after his death. Death is inevitable, but we can prepare ourselves and our families for it?