Brittany Maynard's Choice

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.

Right to live..The right to Die

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.

Brittany Maynard

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.