(More) Reality TV

[TheVTCGuy]

Last night, on th PBS show "Frontline" they had a VERY powerful show on.. assisted suicide. I know right now this is a very hotly-debated topic, so I'll withold my opinion on whether it's right or wrong, but will say the show was extremely well done; and it hit home because of my father's illness.

The show was centered on a man in his late 40s, very articulate, intelligent, that was afflicted with a terrible disease. I don't even remember what it was, but he his body had deterorated terribly, to where his wife of 22 years had to do everything for him, inluding brushing his teeth, and other bathroom-requirements. His mind was clear, and he had hired a Swiss team that did assisted suicide with dignity (in Switzerland). The cost was around $4500. The first part of the show was the man dicussing his reasons, why he wanted to die, his wife's and (adult) children's thoughts, it was extremely well done.

The man and his wife flew to Switzerland, and the show was with them the several days before his death. The cameras recorded the man's thoughts, his feelings, he admitted being scared, but never once wavered from his decision. When the time came, he drank poisen with some apple juice, went to sleep, and was gone.

It was very peaceful, and just before he closed his eyes his wife said: "I Love you, have a safe journey and I'll be with you soon"

The show was incredible, maybe because my father was in a similar situation and if there was an oppurtunity, would have chosen this method of dying over the long-painful way in which he passed. It hit me pretty hard, but I will say, that man showed a tremendous amount of courage, and dedication to his family; time and time again he stated he didn't want to put his family through the pain of many years this disease would cause. If (GOD forbid) I am ever put in that situation, I pray I will have the courage and the oppurtunity to commence my journey as this brave man did.

I've really had enough of serious television for a while.. think I'll go watch some cartoons now...

[STEELINOX]

I had a neighbor friend pass away last year. He was retired almost 8 years and loved riding his Harley and hunted every season. It was great cause he always brought a bag of meat over from his catch from hunting or fishing. He was a Marine that served in Vietnam. An avid gun collector. And to the bone a proud American. He was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis a debilitating neuromuscular disease. Weeks after the diagnosis he loaded a cartridge in one of his hand guns and went to his backyard, called the local leo's and told him to come on over. His wife was away shopping, so he had planned this out and was also clear of his mind. I saw him the day before chugging down the street in his Harley, little did I know it was his last ride...

I think he did not want to become a burdon to his family and would not enjoy life with the impending degeneration of the disease; he would no longer be able to get out on the road to ride his Harley, or pull the trigger of his 30-30 trained on some game. I think he did it right. I miss my friend but respect how he chose to conduct his life. Most wouldn't have the guts...

https://health.google.com/health/ref/Myasthenia+gravis

[Taffi Abernathy]

This is a tough one but I think anyone who is suffering and has a poor quality of life should be able to make his or her own determination. After all, no one else knows what it feels like to live in someone else's body, so if that person decides enough is enough, others need to respect that despite possible disagreement with the chosen course of action.

[CoopJr]

Powerful post Randy.

[Welshwatchman]

Here's a happy thought.

We each have a 0.00% survival rate in the long term.

Time for Tom and Jerry, I reckon.

[JUSTROLEXES]

Originally Posted by Taffi Abernathy

This is a tough one but I think anyone who is suffering and has a poor quality of life should be able to make his or her own determination. After all, no one else knows what it feels like to live in someone else's body, so if that person decides enough is enough, others need to respect that despite possible disagreement with the chosen course of action.

X2

[Letsgodiving]

I watched that a couple of days ago and it was a very powerful program. He had ALS aka Lou Gehrig's Disease. The really sad part of it all was the fact that he still got some joy out of life and wasn't ready to go but he was forced to commit suicide early because he was afraid he wouldn't be able swallow the solution and to bite the switch to turn off his breathing machine due to the progressive degenerative effects of the disease. The idiotic laws surrounding euthanasia forced him to end his life possibly weeks and maybe months before he really needed or wanted to.

[Brunotheboxer]

Its pretty sad when dogs die with more dignity than humans in America.

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by Brunotheboxer

Its pretty sad when dogs die with more dignity than humans in America.

So true Bruno !

[diversified]

Sorry guys, but as far as I'm concerned, the term assisted suicide is nothing more than another term for some type of murder charge! Suicide is by 1 person and 1 person only. If the 1 person doesn't have the "hoochers" to kill himself, then doesn't that tell you something about that person's desire to die!
Helping to kill people is opening a whole new can of worms!

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by diversified

Sorry guys, but as far as I'm concerned, the term assisted suicide is nothing more than another term for some type of murder charge! Suicide is by 1 person and 1 person only. If the 1 person doesn't have the "hoochers" to kill himself, then doesn't that tell you something about that person's desire to die!
Helping to kill people is opening a whole new can of worms!

Then me and you will have to agree to disagree.

[jbutler]

Originally Posted by diversified

Sorry guys, but as far as I'm concerned, the term assisted suicide is nothing more than another term for some type of murder charge! Suicide is by 1 person and 1 person only. If the 1 person doesn't have the "hoochers" to kill himself, then doesn't that tell you something about that person's desire to die!
Helping to kill people is opening a whole new can of worms!

Well of course, because everyone in these situations would have the physical abilities to commit suicide themselves....

[Taffi Abernathy]

These types of scenarios typically raise questions pertaining to ethical, legal and moral considerations. But I have a question . . . if a person is receiving hospice services, meaning that they meet the criteria of having a terminal illness resulting in their probable death within a 6-month period, and are in chronic pain, should a health care worker, e.g., R.N., increase their morphine, Roxanol, etc., knowing that this increase in dosage might hasten their death?

[Andad]

IMO that would range from attempted murder to murder depending on whether the Health Care Worker killed them or not.

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by Taffi Abernathy

These types of scenarios typically raise questions pertaining to ethical, legal and moral considerations. But I have a question . . . if a person is receiving hospice services, meaning that they meet the criteria of having a terminal illness resulting in their probable death within a 6-month period, and are in chronic pain, should a health care worker, e.g., R.N., increase their morphine, Roxanol, etc., knowing that this increase in dosage might hasten their death?

As directed by a Doctor, then of course; its "ordered"...

[Andad]

As my mum would say....C'mon Eddie, drink this up, 'doctors orders".

[Taffi Abernathy]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

As directed by a Doctor, then of course; its "ordered"...

I have seen nurses take considerable latitude with prn meds. (Let's hope Nurse Ratched isn't assigned to the patient.)

[Taffi Abernathy]

Originally Posted by directioneng

As my mum would say....C'mon Eddie, drink this up, 'doctors orders".

This puts everything in perspective . . .

[Andad]

Faith, you are now officially a 'friend' of mine.

[Taffi Abernathy]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Faith, you are now officially a 'friend' of mine.

Let's celebrate! Pour yourself a tall, refreshing glass of goat's milk while I impale myself on a meat hook.