If I Should Die Before I Wake, I Pray The Lord My Soul To Take

From Sea to Shining Sea ^ | 10/16/05 | Purple Mountains

[PurpleMountains]

The terrible deaths made possible by modern medical advances necessitate a change in thinking about the ethics of assisted suicide. These days, despite my conservative nature and my firm support for him on most matters, I seem to be disagreeing with President Bush on several fronts: the Terry Schiavo case, illegal immigration, the pouring of money down the drain in New Orleans, and now, assisted suicide. Over 15 years ago, as I watched my mother’s health and body deteriorate and the likelihood of a very painful death process looming, I turned to the Hemlock Society and purchased the book, “Final Exit” by Derek Humphry. The book was a waste of time, giving no usable advice, and my conversations with her doctor and with my own doctor led nowhere. I concluded that in Rhode Island I could not even discuss the subject of giving her a way out if she were in excruciating pain and dying.

[DirtyHarryY2K]

I had to come back and find your article.

Here's one you may be interested in..

Patient wants to live, but old 'living will' mandates death

[PurpleMountains]

I agree that this case is very disturbing, but it is not really applicable to the Oregon law which requires 2 doctors to certify death is imminent, and that the person themselves, judged to be of sound mind, administer the drugs. This is mostly an issue also of states rights vs federal interference.

[Eva]

I pulled out this old thread because I was looking for a place to rant.

My mother-in-law is dying of lung cancer and my sister-in-law has brought in a hospice service that is giving her the Terry Schiavo treatment. She has had no food or water for five days. She still wakes up and and opens her eyes and seems to be aware of her surroundings, despite the oxycontin. She was not ready to die. She had lost no weight, and was not in any pain. She simply had fluid in her lungs which was being drained through a catheter.

When they started the oxycontin, she was still eating and getting up to go to the bathroom, but did need some help. Her color was good and her eyes were bright and alert. I think that this is all about money, but I can’t say anything because it is my sister-in-law and her mother. My husband seems to be just going through the motions and not thinking about anything.