Posted on 11/02/2014 5:40:12 PM PST by Steelfish
Very sorry about your father. But, much has changed since the 1960s. This young woman didn’t have to take a suicide pill. She could’ve checked herself into hospice.
I’m not a fan of hospice because, within the last several years, I’ve noticed that hospitals try to push patients (such as my own father) into hospice even when they want to continue fighting.
But, if that was this young woman’s wish, she could’ve arranged hospice care at her home.
I suspect she wanted to go out without being bedridden and having her internal organs shut down one by one. Death by cancer is a miserable process, not only for the patient, but for the family.
As you speak of cancer in the past tense, am I right in surmising yours wasn't terminal?
And there's no evidence anyone in Brittany's family was pushing her to do this.
our constitution and our traditions do not allow us to foist our views on anyone else.
Nonsense. We do it all the time. Law has always worked this way. Even for a libertarian, this is a vary silly thing to say.
I was talking about religious views.
Our religious views look down on suicide.
Others do not.
The doctor who diagnosed my lung cancer, at Deborah Heart & Lung Hospital, told me to get my affairs in order, because I was going to die. I believed his diagnosis and prognosis, but I didn’t share his view that my life wasn’t worth fighting for. I believed I was going to die, but I searched for treatment that would give me the most time. Not once did anyone in my family even hint that I should take the advice of that first doctor and give up the fight. I had a lung removed, then did chemo. I’ll soon be celebrating seven years of being cancer free. I have lasting health issues, but I am alive. There is a good chance the cancer will return, and I’ve read that when lung cancer returns, it usually attacks the brain. That scares me, but what would be scarier is a family that would wish me dead instead of the loving family I have.
You’re painting me as anti-Christian, which couldn’t be further from the truth.
There is no such thing as a Christian who doesn’t believe the Word of God. You call those of us who do believe Him “bible thumpers.” You’re trying to sell yourself as a Christian who knows better than God. I’m not buying.
First off, congratulations on your freedom from cancer.
Second, is there some indication people have that Brittany Maynard's family wants her dead? If so, I'd like to have a link to something that would verify it.
I have...28 years worth as an acute care RN...and I’m not a great fan of what this lady did. Symptoms can be managed and such patients will slip into coma before the end anyway!
Now I’m not a fan of heroic care when the facts are obvious that we will lose some-one but supportive care, certainly!. And I’ve seen some surprises!
You get a feel over time when one should fight and when one should let go or help family members make informed choices without inserting one’s own opinions.
There is nothing more “holier than thou” than those who yell “holier than thou”!
You do 28 years with people dying in your arms with blood spurting everywhere then come back to me and tell me when you really have an informed opinion of death and dying and who has the right to take their own life!
First off, thank you.
Second off, it’s too late to cross exam Brittany Maynard, but she’s the one who said her family supported the decision to kill her. I suppose it’s possible she lied about that, but I haven’t heard from anyone who contradicts her account. I can only comment on what’s actually been presented. If the whole story is one big lie, that changes everything.
The decision was hers; I’m not buying that her family “wanted her dead,” as some have stated.
The Left will now enshrine here as the patron saint of suicide.
And somewhere, Ezekiel Emmanuel cheers.
Yeah, well my “Bible-thumpers” comment was over the top. I was trying to describe those who believe so strongly that they’re fine imposing their beliefs on others.
I lost my dad to ALS...worst disease I ever saw anyone struggle with. There’s a chance I’ll get it too, and if so, I’m out. I’d prefer to end it in a hospital bed instead of in my own home with a rifle. Dad didn’t have that choice.
This is my last post on the topic. I’m sorry if I offended you.
I hope you come to realize that your life is a precious gift from God, as was your Dad’s.
I’m not a fan of hospice because I’ve observed doctors trying to push patients into hospice, even when those patients want to continue fighting. Far too often, hospice care seems to have many similarities with the “right to die” movement.
But, for a terminally ill patient who chooses to stop treatment, hospice care can make that patient comfortable.
Brittany chose lethal pills which are pushed by the “right to die” movement. Sometimes there are complications with those pills:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3214565/posts
So, this idea that, without suicide pills, a cancer patient has no choice but to suffer, and the suicide pills provide a “peaceful” death - that’s just a myth.
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