OT:" You don't know Jack. . ."

Watched this movie on HBO last night. Sure gave me a lot to think about. End of life issues, qualitiy of life, death with dignity. Don't want to open a can of worms here, but as I age I do think about all of these things. This movie is about Jack Kevorkian. (sp?) Regardless of how one thinks about medical intervention in one's death the movie addresses some important things to think about.

Oregon voters voted in the assisted suicide law years ago.  There were lots of appeals.

I know this is a very controversial issue.  And I can see both sides. But if you were diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) or Alzheimers what would YOU want?

It definately makes you think.

Washington state's law went into affect this past year. My feelings are if we can prolong life with modern day medicine why can't we legally assist those who no longer feel any quality of life and who are  ready? To me it would comforting to know that medical assistance was available if I decided I was through with this life. Don't know that I would use it but I believe it should be available. I've always said that if I was a nurse I'd probably be put in jail. . . I just hate unnecessary pain and suffering. I can understand how it could be abused but hopefully safeguards are in place. I know in  Oregon it hasn't been used as much as most people thought it would be.

Hi Karen,

I know this topic will rufle a few hairs.    I do believe in assisted suicide.  If you are brain dead or anything that is not going to make you better and the clock is ticking, why not have the right to make that decision.  We do it for our precious animals so they don't suffer.  Who can stand by and watch that without intervention?

I have thought about my own life and have already told everyone NO LIFE SUPPORT.  It would be such a burden and heart ache to watch one suffer. 

I will have to get the movie.


Peace

Aloha sweet friend.......I do want to see that movie. It is ironic that just yesterday I sent my "kids" a letter telling them what I want to happen when I die. I've had a few friends die recently, sometimes quickly, sometimes very slowly, and it has made me think about those things.

They know that I want my ashes taken out by long canoes to be deposited in Maalaea Bay which I look at every day. I already have several friends out there, and know of several more who have the same plans. We are going to spend eternity playing with the whales, the dolphins and the turtles! Ha!! I have a dear friend, a professor at Davis, who used to come every year and was terribly crippled and used a walker. He used to tell me that one day he would be out in Maalaea bay leaping with the whales and to watch for him....he would be a bright blast of sunlight!

Many think we are playing God if we choose to go before we've had to live through years of pain, suffering and uselessness. I don't have a clear idea about it all, but I would like to have the freedom and availability to end my life if it got terrible for me and for my loved ones.

Thanks for bringing up a very sensitive topic....and I respect each and every one's opinions.

Aloha nui loa,

Karen

This is a sensitive topic.  And one that each of us has to think carefully about. And we need to let our families know EXACTLY what we want.

I am in favor of a person's right to choose.  Many of us have a DNR order with our doctors.  Which is fine if you are in the hospital and on life support.  But what about the ones who are suffering at home or in nursing homes?  And you could be 'living' there for many years.  Not on life support, but with your loved ones having to care for your every need.  Or in a nursing home draining your families bank accounts.  When you get that devastating diagnosis, you should have the right AT THAT MOMENT to set things in motion so you don't have to 'live' that way.

My grandmother was one who would want every effort made to keep her living.  Whether she was in pain, or catatonic.  She didn't want to go no matter what.  She finally died peacefully in her sleep.  But we all knew that we were to take every measure to keep her alive. 

I respect everyone's right to their choice.  I just think we should all have every option available.

How very interesting because we had also discussed this subject lately.  JB is from Holland and they allow people to make their own choices. 

Think of this..I had a large german shepherd some years back...at 15 years of age, he suddenly had several strokes...he couldnt stand up anymore and was blinded..add to that he had developed hip displacia (dislocation and weakening of worn hip joints, common to large dogs).  Rocky was in alot of pain..it was obvious.  We took him to the Vet that Christmas eve, his 15th birthday, and the Vet told us that to put him down would be the kindest thing and the best Christmas present we could gve him..to free him of the pain and fear he was suffering.  Did we agree? ABSOLUTELY!!  We sat with him as he slipped away and heard his last sigh..hopefully as pain retreated.

My Mom is almost 91..right now she suffers from worn knees and hip joints as well as gout in her right leg..at this point, her pain can be monified by meds.  And so Mom can still spend her days doing whatever she wishes to...she can eat and laugh and enjoy her books. 

Should, God forbid, Mom have a debilitating stroke, I know (we have discussed that) that Mom would HATE sitting in the hall in a "stroke chair" with a bib because she would be drooling and robbed of any dignity left.  Mom would NOT want us to hang on to her ..she would prefer to let go and "move on"...for that reason, we have a DNT form signed.

I want the same for myself.  If I "do not know that I am there", then please give me the gift of letting me go.  Love me enough to give me freedom from suffering.  Give me dignity in death...I don't want to drain my family's emotions, money and time by being a burden and not functioning anymore.

I've sat beside my father-in-law while he breathed his last struggling breath as he faded away from acute leukemia...we prayed that he be released from his pain and agony...but his strong heart kept beating for so long.  We know that there was a kindness done by his medical team, thank God for them.

I firmly believe that we should be given the right to choose.  Some may fight to the end...that's their choice....for me, if it's inevitable and irreversible, let me go "silently into the night".

Nancy B

I too believe in human euthanasia.  They shoot horses don't they?