Postby BrownBagger » Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:31 am
Thanks, Ashlee, for bringing this up. It's something I know I've given a lot of thought to, as I'm sure others here have as well.
So far I haven't been tempted to call it quits, but I assume at some point, I will. Hopefully I'll have the means and the courage to do so whenever that time comes. My main concern is doing it in a way that has minimal negative impact on my loved ones. I think that's the biggest obstacle. I think a carefully monitored government-sanctioned process in a medical setting makes sense (for that reason), but I'm not sure I'd even go that route. I knew an old logger--an experienced woodsman--who was in the mid stages of Alzheimer's. One winter day he just wandered off into the woods and died of exposure. Ruled an accident, I guess. Nobody believed that, but he managed to create enough doubt and latitude in people's minds that they were able to cope with his death in ways that made them most comfortable. Pretty considerate way to check out, IMO, and in the final analysis, he died on his own terms, which is what I think everyone would prefer.
Eric, 58
Dx: 3/09, Stage 4 RC
Recurrences: (ongoing, lung, bronchial cavity, ribs)
Major Ops: 6/ RFA: 3 /bronchoscopies: 8
Pelvic radiation: 5 wks. Bronchial radiation—brachytheray: 3 treatments
Chemo Rounds (career):136
Current Chemo Cocktail: Xeloda & Erbitux & Irinotecan biweekly
Current Cocktail; On the Wagon (mostly)
Bicycle miles post-dx 10,477
Motto: Live your life like it's going to be a long one, because it just might, and then you'll be glad you did.