To Die or Not to Die

I would almost be too afraid it would not be 'okay' with God for me to do this....... P


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8064559.stm


US state's first assisted suicide

A 66-year-old US woman with advanced cancer has become the first person to die under a new assisted suicide law in Washington State.

The woman, Linda Fleming, died on Thursday night after taking drugs prescribed by her doctor.

The "Death with Dignity" law was approved by 60% of Washington State voters in a referendum last year.

It is based on a law in neighbouring Oregon, where 400 people have chosen to die over the last 12 years.


It was very important to me to be conscious, clear-minded and alert at the time of my death

Linda Fleming
The advocacy group, Compassion and Choices of Washington, said Ms Fleming died with her family, her dog and her physician at her side.

In a statement, Ms Fleming, who lived in the town of Sequim, said: "I had only recently learned to live in the world as I had always wanted to, and now I will no longer be here.

"The pain became unbearable, and it was only going to get worse. I am a very spiritual person, and it was very important to me to be conscious, clear-minded and alert at the time of my death."

She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month.

Under the "Death with Dignity" law, any patient seeking to die must be at least 18, terminally ill, and live in Washington State. In addition, the patient must be declared competent, make two spoken statements 15 days apart, and produce a written request witnessed by two people.

In my opinion, it's playing God. God is the only one who has the right to decide who lives or dies.

I understand too.. I don't believe in suicide, but I don't want to see anyone suffer either, including myself. I'm a chicken when it comes to pain!! Just knock me out, but don't kill me. Does that sound awful? That's how I feel!

Does it make a difference if one is being kept alive by artificial means? What if someone refuses heart surgery or dialysis.... what of Living Wills? If you don't do everything to stay alive is it "suicide"? I'm not an advocate of assisted suicide, but I do struggle with end of live decisions. When do you say "no"? When does pain medication kill you? There are times in pain medicating that the pain medication hastens death. So do we live with the pain rather than risking death by choice? Sometimes it's not so cut and dried.

In the old days, people were just let alone to die! Of course they were made comfortable but they weren't forced to live beyond the time God meant for them to live!

My dear and wonderful Grandpa refused dialysis near the end, he had lived a good life and worked hard, he was deserving of the rest that God had planned for him!

You can all argue that God also gave us "Modern Medicine", but when you know it is your time or near your time and you know he is calling you HOME well then I feel it is your right to go to your maker no matter what means you choose to get there.

Emmy

I want to be like Emmy said, just leave me along to die. I don't want to be kept alive by artificial means, but I don't want to be starved to death like some have, either. Take me off machines, but if I'm alive and have to be fed with a feeding tube, then please, feed me. I like food!!