His dismissive portrayal of Americans as "obsessed" with "cheating death," as "manic" and desperately trying to "endlessly extend life." His selection of the age of 75 as "a good time to stop." Anybody who worries about pressure being placed on the elderly and the vulnerable in society must be alarmed
Laurettas wrote:
So, whose right prevails? The one who wants assisted suicide or the one who will be afraid for his life because of it? And this is only cancer patients. If one adds in the disabled and the elderly, I would think that the ones who would fear assisted suicide would much outweigh those wanting it. This would seem to be pretty obvious in Oregon since only two-tenths of one percent of those who die in that state choose assisted suicide. Whose right is more important? Fear of being coerced into dying or even being euthanized can be very terrifying. How can we determine whose fear doesn't matter?
robinkaye wrote:Lisahopes wrote:The posters who judge this poor woman's choices and condemn her right are disgraceful. They claim that it a slippery slope for handicapped folks and then these very same critics say that these options and risks already exist. Makes no sense at all.
Lisa, I just read through all of the posts and can't find anyone judging Brittany. If I missed it please reference. Some are concerned with how we go about sanctioning euthanasia, it was not an attack on Brittany. Some people here say they wouldn't choose euthanasia but don't deny Brittany her right. There is a difference between questioning the implementation of a law and condemning Brittany or her right which no one did. The rights granted by "man" can be changed or taken away.
stephenlamb wrote:Being a caregiver to my wife who was diagnosed at 29. I will half to walk this path no matter how cruel it becomes. I met my her at the age of sixteen at a out of state music festival with 25k people. Out of all of those people we found each other! now this love story is turning into a trategy. In July she wayed just over 70lbs and was starving to death she has a blocked colon and no options for sugery. This becam a topic of discussion. I needed to know what her wishes were knowing her death is going to require much suffering. I say all that to say this f@#$ politics and whoever thinks they have moral authority over our decisions !! #$# it all! Nothing will stand in the way of me getting what my wife wants deserves and needs!
Laurettas wrote:When assisted suicide or euthanasia becomes standard of care, that will be the default point--and then people will fight to have something other than that done. It is already happening. Every so often there are reports of, usually nurses, who are euthanizing people without anyone's permission. Why? Because the overall attitude has changed in the medical profession and the culture and assisted death has become an option in many people's minds. It is one small step from thinking that some assisted death is OK to it becoming standard practice.
Laurettas wrote:jdepp, I don't recall anyone saying that those like Brittany cannot orchestrate their deaths if they so choose.
Laurettas wrote:Canadian daughter, only have a minute because grandkids are coming to spend the night! I have spoken with medical professionals who say that not hydrating someone at the end of life does not help them, and in the case of pain patches and oral meds, makes the pain killers nearly ineffective. As the body dehydrates, from what I understand the blood leaves the extremities and the skin and pools near the organs to keep them functioning, therefore the pain meds have no pathway via the bloodstream to be transported. I know of two cases in which people had nutrition and hydration taken away and it took them 12 and 14 days to die. My husband had an IV for the last 36 or so hours before he died while he was in the hospital. After the IV was inserted and morphine delivered by that means, he was calmer than he had been for the previous two weeks.
People have the choice, I will say it again and again. The means for suicide are readily available without having to involve the medical profession.
My daughter made the comment the other day that it is only during extreme pain could she ever consider dying a good choice. She said that she could never do what Brittany did because she would need the pain to make her aware that dying can be a positive thing. She could not visualize taking something to cause her death while she was feeling OK. I could explain the value in suffering but that requires some religious conversation and I don't know that this is the appropriate place. The suffering in life I have experienced has many times put things in proper perspective for me. I realize what is important and what is not.
Return to “Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum”
Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 149 guests