tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post2969957778098215882..comments2023-07-25T02:39:44.615-07:00Comments on Bill Tieleman: A Plea to Legalize 'Death with Dignity' - Based on My Parents' Own ExperienceBill Tielemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03304971610140279157noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-88986419612573034322014-01-30T12:39:20.934-08:002014-01-30T12:39:20.934-08:00it is about time we get to decide how and when we ...it is about time we get to decide how and when we end our lives. Laying in a bed, hooked to tubes and having Your diaper changed is not how most of us want to go. <br /><br />Holland has been doing it for years and it has worked. Our Uncle decided he wanted to die at a specific time and date. Was given the shots and viola, he had what he wanted. we spoke on the phone several times. He explained his decision and we said our good byes. He saw no need to deal with the terminal stomach cancer. <br /><br />It is nice to be able to die, while still looking like yourself and being able to made decisions. Some argue dying is a process which is part of life, The pain is part of it. well, for me not so much. Saying that is like saying, getting shot is part of life. <br /><br />We are born with free will and we ought to be able to die with it. <br /><br />e.a.f.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-33508620865809430702014-01-24T19:19:43.573-08:002014-01-24T19:19:43.573-08:00As we get older we start hoping the end will be qu...As we get older we start hoping the end will be quick, least amount of pain and as dignified as possible. But for many it won't be.<br />The idea that after making decisions that affect us through life, seems to have been taken from us as we become someone in a bed with assorted tubes stuck into us as we wait for something to happen. As we see loved ones failing we must think about us being not that far behind themDPLnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-69795628948693484732014-01-23T14:58:59.576-08:002014-01-23T14:58:59.576-08:00Thanks Bill, You are absolutely correct that many ...Thanks Bill, You are absolutely correct that many die in needless pain. It is all so warm and fuzzy to say that hospitals, doctors etc. provide a painless journey but it is quite simply NOT TRUE! I watched my father basically explode from kidney failure in a hospital before his body gave up...not a warm and fuzzy experience.Rob Edgettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35935973.post-74277188757517536332014-01-23T11:56:43.734-08:002014-01-23T11:56:43.734-08:00What a great column, Bill. Thank you for writing i...What a great column, Bill. Thank you for writing it.<br /><br />Nearly 3 decades ago both parents died of cancer, 2 years apart. They went from fishing and gardening to burial in 7 weeks. Though it was swift in the grand scheme of things, it was brutal and agonizing in both cases. Brutal for each of them and brutal for those of us who helplessly watched. Neither of them wanted to check out in that manner. Their personal wishes were long standing and very clear yet we could not help fulfill them. <br /><br />In my father’s case he was misdiagnosed in small town BC and by the time he was placed in the care of a specialist, it was far, far too late. His final 7 weeks were spent in a teaching hospital where heroics beyond belief were used to keep him from surrendering. His suffering was grotesque and unnecessary. <br /><br />Getting up there myself, I have had the end of life discussion with my family and my doctor. We are all on the same page. However…the laws have recently changed, to the point that I (we) now need legal representation to complete a tome of documents spelling out my wishes. Even then, there is no clarity that my wishes can or will be carried out. It is now so difficult for all involved that, if my mind is sound while my body rots in some facility, I may just need a plastic bag and some duct tape at the ready. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com