[BarryRX]

Originally Posted by KeepingItReal

The decision has not been taken away as it cannot be but, it could be made a lot more humane.

Your screen name is well chosen. You are absolutely right. Although, there are those who, because of their illness or accident, cannot act for themselves.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Schaumburger

During the last year of my mom's life, one of the people at the dialysis center told my dad that if he stopped my mom's dialysis, that would be an alternative. I was rather taken aback that a dialysis center staff member would suggest that. My father didn't take that route as he could not have lived with himself. I agree that this is a very complex and emotional issue.

I believe that information by the staff member was wrong. It would never be the decision of a spouse. The decision would be with the person receiving the dialysis. There was an article about this in The Wall Street Journal several years ago. It said that it's not uncommon for elderly people to eventually stop their dialysis.

My aunt stopped her dialysis after she was told that her brain cancer came back and was inoperable.

[asianthree]

making your wishes known and in writing...does not mean the family will be happy with your wishes

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

Reading material.... Euthanasia suicide mercy-killing right-to-die physician assisted suicide living wills research

I visited my father in a full care nursing/hospas home where he hung on for seven years. He had a massive stroke leaving him in a vegetative state. The SYSTEM slowly drained away all the income saved over 50 years. Our mother refused to allow us kids to help finanualy and due to taxes and upkeep cost lost her home. After years, she ended up in public housing, broke and alone. I ask that I be allowed to have control of my destiny. What I do not want is:

1. Suffer after any decent quality of life is gone.
2. Have all I have worked my life for be taken from me for care I do not want.
3. YOU, THEY, THEM taking control of my end of life decision.

Some will say if I wish to end my life, I am depressed. BS. I could type pages of justification why assisted death would be the right thing for me.

We all get on our soap box for freedom of speech, right to bear arms, religion and so many other issues. Yet freedom for end of life decision, that for me is the most personal decision of all, is taken away from us. How sad is that.

I will let God decide when I die. Life is short, eternity is forever!

[Duvalboomer]

Originally Posted by Cantwaittoarrive

I will let God decide when I die. Life is short, eternity is forever!

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

Reading material.... Euthanasia suicide mercy-killing right-to-die physician assisted suicide living wills research

I visited my father in a full care nursing/hospas home where he hung on for seven years. He had a massive stroke leaving him in a vegetative state. The SYSTEM slowly drained away all the income saved over 50 years. Our mother refused to allow us kids to help finanualy and due to taxes and upkeep cost lost her home. After years, she ended up in public housing, broke and alone. I ask that I be allowed to have control of my destiny. What I do not want is:

1. Suffer after any decent quality of life is gone.
2. Have all I have worked my life for be taken from me for care I do not want.
3. YOU, THEY, THEM taking control of my end of life decision.

Some will say if I wish to end my life, I am depressed. BS. I could type pages of justification why assisted death would be the right thing for me.

We all get on our soap box for freedom of speech, right to bear arms, religion and so many other issues. Yet freedom for end of life decision, that for me is the most personal decision of all, is taken away from us. How sad is that.

In another thread, I may have given the impression that I'm against it. Well, I'm not. I think there can be a place for it under the right circumstances.