Is there a point in your life where you might choose euthanasia if it is made le

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   Lizam1posted 11 years ago

   Is there a point in your life where you might choose euthanasia if it is made legal where you live?
   
   Given we are now living longer than ever and medical interventions keep many alive with little quality of life.  If your health was going to diminish to a point where you would suffer a lot of pain and lack of quality of life for other reasons, would you choose euthanasia? Please say why or why not?

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   Amber Vynposted 11 years ago

   Yes, I would. Modern medicine is amazing, and I wouldn't be alive without it (I almost died when I was four weeks old). However, I went through this with my mom when she had lymphoma. Fortunately, we found a hospice that would help us.
   
   I would hope that, if I knew that the only thing that was ahead of me was suffering, that I would be able to let go when I chose to do so.

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   SJLAposted 11 years ago

   I think that would all depend on my situation, I believe if I was in the kind of pain that I have seen others in, the answer would be yes. I also see this as a double edged sword because I have been suicidal before so if euthanasia was legalized it would have to be regulated to prevent people from just having doctors off them for no reason.

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   xstaticposted 11 years ago

   I live in Oregon where assisted suicide is legal, and have often thought that it is something I might take advantage of if faced with a condition like you describe. There are rules that must be followed, and it would never be an easy decision, but it is somewhat comforting to know it is possible and legal.

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      Lizam1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I had no idea that it was legal in Oregan.  Wondering if that is just something possible for residents or can others move there to take advantage of this legality as they can in parts if Europe?

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      Billie Kelpinposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Xstatic, thanks for reminding us of that.  I keep forgetting and want that information "in my back pocket. "

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      xstaticposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Not sure if there is a residency requirement.

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      manatita44posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Lors,
      I really feel for you. Hold fast, ask for strength from Above and above all, look for whatever lessons there may be. Nothing is without purpose. Whatever happens in Divine providence is always for the best. My deepest empathy.

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   bizarrett81posted 11 years ago

   Yes.  why make my family suffer and then leave them with piles of bills just to "keep myself comfortable" but bedridden and miserable for months or longer? If I am in pain and death is inevitable, then it should be allowable for me to make my own decision to just go.

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   DJ Andersonposted 11 years ago

   Liz, if I find myself with a terminal disease, or the quality of my life deteriorates
   to the point that I find no joy in living then, without hesitation, I feel sure I would welcome a departure from this life.
   
   We have more compassion for our pets than we do our parents. When our
   pets are old and in pain, we have the common sense to have them euthanize
   and put out of their misery.
   
   When my Mother started having strokes, she could no longer care for herself,
   and eventually had to be put into a nursing home. There were a few patients
   who had lost their minds and screamed every breath. One of these ladies was
   a distant relative of mine. She was elderly and being kept alive by tubes; tubes going in, tubes going out. And, with every breath, more screams.
   
   One evening, as this lady's family gathered, I approached and asked why they
   were allowing her to lie there and scream?  They were puzzled. You can asked
   that her doctor prescribe medications to keep her in a calm state.
   
   Their answer blew me away. They said that she was on so many medications
   that they were afraid it might kill her.
   
   This was a woman who had been reduced to a shell. She had not spoken in
   a year. She had not been capable of eating and she wore a diaper. And, she screamed, ever day. When her voice wore out she would moan and groaned.
   
   The family said they were praying for her.
   I could not keep silent. I was appalled!  I told them that prayer was wonderful
   but they needed to be calling her doctor and explain to him that she screams
   every breath.The patient could not make that call. It was up to the family to
   be an advocate for this woman.
   
   I'm sure the family thought it was none of my business, but the next day, the
   screaming stopped. I walked down to her room. My cousin was by the bedside.
   I said, "she seems to be resting more comfortably". My cousin said, "we took
   your advice and called the doctor".
   
   Your question is a good one and I will be surprised if there are those who do
   not think that euthanasia should be legalized.
   
   I really hope that euthanasia is put into practice when there is no hope of
   continuing to life a happy productive life. Ultimately, it should be the decision
   of the person in question, as no one else knows the pain and discomfort that
   the patient is enduring.
   
   Thank you.
   DJ.

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      bizarrett81posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent, perfectly said and so true.

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   TIMETRAVELER2posted 11 years ago

   My mother had Alzheimer's Disease for 8 1/2 years before it finally killed her.  At the end, she knew nothing, could do nothing, could not speak, etc.  I used to pray for her to die so that she could escape the hell she, and all of us in the family, were living in due to her condition.
   
   So, to answer your question, yes...I am in favor of Euthanasia given horrendous situations like the one I just mentioned.  I would never want to live like my mother was forced to live, and I certainly would not want to have to endure unending pain.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Totally agree, Timetraveler

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      Lizam1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for commenting Time Traveller.  It is a sad irony that the medications that prolong life can create a living hell.  I hope that you have managed to find some peace now she has passed away.  My mother has dementia as a result of parkinsons.

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   Jlbowdenposted 11 years ago

   Yes, I would definitely choose this option when I am driven to a significant madness, caused by my significant other!  (;

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   manatita44posted 11 years ago

   God gave us life and sent us here to be instruments of His Will. To attempt consciously to take our lives, is like trying to opt out of the game. My understanding is that for this the punishment is very severe. A man of God I knew used to say that it is like being fried alive in oil, and that the soul suffers for not one but many incarnations. Unless, of course, it is freed by the Grace of God or one of God's advocates.
   Still, I understand that there are a minority cases where death becomes necessary say like in war where one dies voluntarily as a sacrifice to save others or to protect his country in a much Higher Cause. God sees the heart and motive, and will decide. I do not advice this course of euthanasia for anyone. Very few of us know the Will of the Supreme.

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      connorjposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Well said...

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      Lizam1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I understand that from a religious point of view natural death is preferable. However one of the problems with modern medicine is that we are prolonging life long after natural death would normally have happened.  It is a delicate issue to be sure.

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      Maggie Bennettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      So God wishes you to suffer, your family to suffer, and to also be financially ruined by prolonging a life that will end eventually anyway.  That doesn't make sense to me if you believe in a loving or just God.

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    cabmgmntposted 11 years ago

    Tough Question. Despite any pain I might encounter from a terminal illness that would make me consider ending my life, due to my religious beliefs, I could never opt to end my life purposely.

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       Lor's Storiesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       But if you are living in pain all the time???
       Would you change your mind?

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    JThomp42posted 11 years ago

    Yes, if I am living in excruciating pain, I would choose to do so.

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    Lor's Storiesposted 11 years ago

    I know it's a sin to think of this but just last night I was in the ER.
    I have had so much surgery in my life scar tissue is all over.
    Now it's on my chest and breast bone.
    The pain is so severe and they tell me no one can help me any more
    I'd be afraid to say yes I believe in euthanasia but when your pain is 24/7 , if i had spiritual guidance I would choose not to live with all this pain.
    I'm in bed half the time and no one has answers.
    I'm more afraid of the pain than dying.

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       manatita44posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Tricky. I am full of empathy. God loves us all, and life has purpose. Mother Theresa and PopeJohn Paul saw out their service in the face of great pain.  . All I know is that my Spiritual Teacher did not recommend suicide. I Pray for you.

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       Lor's Storiesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       No I'm not going to do any thing. I just said it's very hard when your life is reduced to pain and you miss out on so much.

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       Lizam1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       So sorry to read about your pain.  I hope there is someone close to you who can bring you some comfort.  In my personal opinion euthansia is not suicide and sometimes the drugs and medical interventions that people undergo prolong illness not life.

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       Lor's Storiesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       A feeding tube, and constant pain, and one test after another is not living.
       if anyone wishes I was in hell. I am.

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