On Saturday , Brittany Maynard took her own life. I don't consider it suicide because she only had weeks or months left. She was facing a horrific death from cancer that nobody could offer her hope of recovery. Nobody could offer her any hope except a promise of a horrible death. She chose to end her own suffering with the Death with Dignity Law. She loved life and living life but her life was already over before she took the prescribed medication.
Rest In Peace Brittany.
It is a shame Brittany had to move away from her home state to seek help. The fact is, she doesn't want to die. Had she been able to do a drug trial or the cancer research hospital replied to her request she may have decided to fight this untreatable tumor. Researching her illness was the first thing she did and what she found made her willing to do anything to live longer but the reality of what she faced is a horrible existence at best. Besides excrutiating pain as the swelling causes seizures, she knew her family would see her suffer and die anyways. Had she not made this choice her family would support her as they support her now. This is her choice to make and should be.
Eleven days from now Brittany Maynard is planning to end her life by taking the barbituate that she obtained from her Physician. Brittany's type of brain cancer is not treatable and will lead to a horrible, painful death but many feel she is wrong to take her own life. To Brittany the unknown pain is more frightening than swallowing the barbituate. As the disease progresses the pain will get worse from the swelling and the seizures more frequent. She is already having the seizures. When she has the seizures it takes several moments for her to recognize her loved ones.
After awhile the narcotics will no longer relieve the pain. Even knowing what she is facing some people want her choose life. To me she is brave and fortunate that she can die with dignity, surrounded by a supportive family. This was her choice to make and should be her choice. Her story has touched millions of people and has opened a subject that most consider taboo but people are talking about it and that will be her legacy.
The fact is Brittany Maynard is dying whether by her own hand or allowing herself to experience a painful death. She will die! Regardless of the news articles, blogs and opinions, nobody has the right to make this choice but her. I am sure her choice was difficult to make and for others to accept but considering the alternative I may have chose the same thing.
Doctors contribute to assisted suicides daily but it is done so discreetly most people don't realize it. It is not done openly or even openly discussed because of the laws but Drs do provide the means for those seeking release from devastating terminal illnesses. In Brittany's case she was legally gave the barbituate she will take.
It is so easy for Christians and Pro-Life people to judge Brittany Maynard for the choice she made to end her life. I am a christian, that was raised attending church services 3 times a week. As an adult I attended mass at the Catholic Church. I was raised knowing life is precious and for a long time donated money to the Pro-Life cause. I believed in it and in a way I still do.
I can't imagine being newly married and trying to have a baby, just to find out my dreams will never be realized. Brittany was suffering with debilitating headaches shortly after she got married. One Dr thought her headaches were hormonal and would disappear once she became pregnant. On New years she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She was given 3-5 years and had surgery to reduce the pressure in her head.
Last spring Brittany was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and was given 6 months. Brittany spoke with multiple specialists and was willing to participate in drug trials but nobody could offer her hope. She wanted to live then and wants to live now but the reality of GBM is devastating. As an educator she researched her cancer, GLIOBLASTOMA,it is not treatable. Allowing the Glioblastoma to run its course meant a terrible, painful death. Brittany contacted Compassion and Choices, moved to Oregon and has since received the barbituate that will kill her.
I have read muliple articles about Brittany but some of the people commenting appalled me. Quite a few people called her a coward. Some basically said she is doomed in hell if she follows through with her plans. Perhaps allowing the disease to run its course seems like hell on earth for her? Besides the headaches and pain, she is suffering seizures also. The pain might get so severe that the medications may not relieve it, some think that allowing her to suffer is a better alternative to assisted suicide? Some think it is not okay for her to pass away quietly in her own bed when she takes the barbituate, surrounded by her family? Her husband thinks her quality of life is better than insisting she suffers to the end. I agree quality should come first. Brittany is going to die whether it is by her own hand or allowing the disease to run its course.
Some people said that she can't be that sick if she is able to travel. She is creating lasting memories for the people she will leave behind. Alot of people with terminal diagnosis does the same thing if they are able to do so. I would rather remember happier times then a loved ones suffering.
As a nursing assistant in long term care, I witnessed quite a few patients painful end but nothing could prepare me to seeing a beloved Aunt go through it. Watching day after day my Aunt squirming in a hospital bed from the pain and talking out of her head. Her smile was gone and laughter non-existent. My Aunt had breakthrough pain that the heavier drugs could not touch. We lost her on Thanksgiving although my heart was broke I was THANKFUL her SUFFERING was over. My Aunt was 72 and had lived a good life, Brittany is only 29. My aunt's cancer ran its course but I would have supported her if she made the choice Brittany has.
Instead of condemning her why not pray God takes her home before Nov 1st. Pray that her family finds the strength to support her when she decides it is time to leave this world. Pray that she decides on November 1st that today isn't so bad perhaps she can go tomorrow. The decision to go on her terms is her choice and should be.
As an American and a Christian, euthanasia can be a touchy subject. But the fact is regardless of where you live discussing euthanasia is often regarded as "taboo" . I can honestly say after working in a nursing home some diseases do not have a comfortable and peaceful end. I decided years ago I would end it if I faced certain diseases. Am I suicidal ? No. Could I actually do it? I probably couldn't because of religion and the law but I feel like I should have a choice. As long as the person is in their right mind why can't they decide to end a deplorable illness?
Incidentally Huntington's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's Disease and ALS are a few diseases I'm scared of. Choosing to die in the case of Alzheimer's Disease is touchy because of the cognitive issues and memory loss, I realize that. It would be hard to determine if the person understands what is actually occurring if they choose to move forward with assisted dying. But in the case of illnesses that strip a person of all dignity and ability to function why shouldn't they have a choice?
If you quietly follow my ramblings or your a new reader, you will quickly know my opinion on this matter. I follow some ALS and MND blogs, most mention assisted dying at some point. Most will not follow through because of it's legal standing or religious belief but some want the right to choose or the laws changed to help others.
The statistics of the population who support assisted dying is greater than those who oppose it but the laws don't reflect this. When people go to the polls they might be voting against it even though they publicly support it? Why?
Most coal miners that get trapped underground during a collapse normally die of CO2 poisoning. Their lungs don't have clean air to breathe, CO2 will build up in their blood and they go to sleep. Eventually they will die without proper intervention.
My Mother-In-Law has CO2 build up in her blood and carbon monoxide in her lungs. She is a medical miracle, why she hasn't been less alert we may never know. I guess God will decide when to call her home.
Her respiratory problems started 10 years ago with bronchitis that was reoccurring frequently. She was treated with antibiotics several times a year. Four years ago she was put on oxygen but she didn't need it all the time.
Three years ago she had a heart attack. It was so bad the hospital was surprised she even made it there. The hospital attempted to do a catheterization but found an aneurysm on top of her heart and life flighted her to a larger hospital better equipped to deal with the aneurysm. The larger hospital tried twice before they were successful. She developed pneumonia during this time and during her checkup a dark spot was seen on her lung. We now know that spot is cancer. Her lung function is very limited and only partially does the job it's supposed to thus the CO2.
She made her choice to decline further intervention such as being put on a ventilator. That is her right to do so, I would do the same thing. Know your rights and let your family know what you want. It's your body and life. Put it in writing so there's no confusion when the time comes.
Accepting a close family is terminally ill has been very difficult. She wants to live but in all honesty the odds are stacked against her. Her heart is weak with some blockages but she has an aneurysm that sits on top of her heart that prevents a catheterization or putting in stents. Her lungs are weak and are no longer able to function properly, she has poisonous gases building up in her blood. The CO2 if it continues to build will eventually cause her death. Her lungs are too weak to inflate.
As you can tell by reading the previous paragraph my mother-in-laws prognosis is poor. Her condition is terminal. My M-I-L is alert and orientated most of the time. During this last stay in the hospital she has made two important decisions.
1) She appointed my husband's sisters as her Medical Power of Attorney. If some things can be done that does not go against her living will the POA can say yes or no. They act on her behalf if she can't speak up. This is a signed legal document.
2) She set up a Living Will indicating what she wants and doesn't want. She is DNR (do not resuscitate), if she passes away she doesn't want CPR . She does not want a ventilator keeping her alive. Or any machine keeping her alive.
As her family we will make sure her wishes are honored. That her care is compassionate without causing too much suffering.
I know this particular blog is about Euthanasia discussing the option but wanted to mention alternatives to Euthanasia in places where it isn't available. I'm American and live in the Bible Belt. Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide will never be available in my state. Even if it was my Mother-In-Law would never consider it and that should be her right to make not lawmakers.
Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide is available in very few places but living Wills are everywhere. Check to know your medical rights in the state or country that you live in. Each country has it's own policy regarding medical intervention and what is acceptable. Know your rights and indicate your wishes on legal documents so your not put through un-necessary treated you did not want in the first place.
Living Wills and Power of Attorney can be changed or amended at anytime. Know your rights and speak up while you still can.
