They called him Dr. Death, from the late night comedians to mainstream media. And now he too has passed away.
But was he some medical heretic or a pioneering hero of the new world?
I remember seeing a statue of Death fighting Medicine, it was on a wall at some medical school. I wish I could remember where so I could show it to you, but the point is that medicine and society in general seem to think that death is something that is to be avoided at all costs.
Lots of ways to look at it, from a financial point of view, as our health care system bankrupts itself, to the moral or politically correct point of view.
Strange how we have freedom of religion in our country and yet the right to take your own life is considered wrong. Wrong from a religious point of view, but isn’t that forcing one’s religious point of view on someone?
In this day and age, we can help people live to new records, and when a person is sick and in pain, we can keep them going for what must seem to them, endless time. Before the mid 20th century, this was not an issue. People lived, people got sick, people aged and people died. But today, we act as if it is a crime to let go of life.
And now there is Dr. Kevorkian and his legacy. The world is changing and one day, I believe we will recognize Dr. Kevorkian as a pioneer in the world of compassionate health care. What do you think?
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Sadly, Dr. K. wasn’t a vet. His compassion and empathy would have been celebrated.
Isn’t that the truth. We won’t let animals suffer, in fact it is illegal, cruelty to animals and all that.
I have had long discussions with my mom who insists that quality of life is important to her, and she wants to have the choice to die with dignity. I agree with her. In her living will, she has included a “Do Not Resuscitate” clause.
I like the fact that Dr. Kevorkian brought forth the hot topic of euthanasia for humans. Philosophers like to bring up the argument of the “slippery slope” theory, but this argument does not address the issue of human suffering or the values that many of us hold relating to our autonomy and ability to make choices. Certainly, there needs to be a set of strict guidelines to prevent abuse. So, we need to have open discussions in order to create humane policies, as opposed to maintaining the status quo, or worse, criminalizing behaviour that is done for compassionate reasons.
Mom’s discussions with me have made me realize that she won’t live forever, so I make sure that every year I take a vacation with her to explore places we want to visit. This way, I can ensure that we have fun together before our mortality brings an end to our lives on this Earth.
I wish more people thought this way. No one lives forever and to fear death like most people do results in our present conundrum.
A new article from Time about Alzheimer’s and the right to die.
http://tinyurl.com/646w5kl
Hi Tony,
Thanks for the link to the article on Alzheimer’s. I was interested in one response to that article which stated how even when a person has provided an advance directive not to use extraordinary measures to prolong their life, that families have the right and regularly do change what the individual has requested.
In her living will, my mom thought about that scenario and gave her lawyer the right to “pull the plug” in the event that I couldn’t do it. She said due to my emotional attachment to her, she was worried that I would not be able to do it, and she did not want me to feel any guilt over it. This statment of hers clearly indicates to me how much my mom wants to have a say in how she dies.
My father also said he wanted a DNR order, but when faced with a serious illness he changed his mind. He asked us to give him a fighting chance. This left the family very conflicted when it came to final decisions and I always wonder if we gave up on him too soon. It’s a terrible decision to halve to make on behalf of a loved one and you spend the rest of your life second guessing yourself.
I don’t know what Francoise means when she says the lawyer the right to “pull the plug”. I assume it is the decision to withhold any extreme measures that would prolong her life. My Mother had pretty advanced Alzheimer’s. She was in a long term care facility but still had good quality of life until she fell and broke her pelvis. This was be beginning of the end for her but we still had to stay by her for the 10 days it took her to die, and there were may decisions related to comfort vs prolonging life which had to be made for her. We had to fight tooth and nail just to get her palliative care. Being able to “pull the plug” sounds so neat and appealing. Unfortunately it’s more a matter of waiting for the body to slowly shut down and it will do this at it’s own pace. Would I have ended it sooner if given the chance? For my Dad… absolutely because he was suffering terrible. Not so for my Mom because, although she was dying she didn’t appear to be in a lot of pain. Looking back I think it was more a matter of her inability to communicate. All this made me question my own motives for considering euthanasia. Would I have done it prevent suffering in a loved one or to stop my own suffering at watching my love one dying in so much pain. Distancing ourselves from the decision does not protect us from all the question we must answer to our self’s after our loved one has died.
It is a tough decision and fear unfortunately seems to come in as we approach the end of our life. Easier to make the decision when we are young and healthy. Different story as we get older.
Absolutley!
My 12-year struggle with depression has resulted in my loosing friends, family and, as I once described it, my “quality of life” (owning my house, a new car, designer clothes, a good income and a stable relationship).
In April I called the vet’s to make an appointment to have our dog, Angel, euthanized because I am no longer able to provide her the quality of life she once enjoyed and deserves. She’s 12 but is still healthy. An hour before the appointment, I cancelled it. I’ve continued to struggle with the question: “Am I being selfish?” until today. I brought Angel to her favourite drivethrough for a fresh plain Tim bit – not a free stale one; a twenty-four cent one. We arrived at the vet hospital and in between tears and tissues explained that I am the one who is ill, not Angel and that I can no longer provide her with TLC. I had called agencies who take senior dogs and try to find homes for them. I checked kijiji to see how many senior dogs were waiting for new homes – there are too many and it broke my heart. For my son and I that is not quality of life for our big girl.
At this stage of my life I can honestly say that when I can no longer recognize my son – and before I’m tied to a chair with a diaper to poop in, not unlike an old dog locked up in a cage with a poop matt on the floor – set me free from this shell of a rotting body and mind.
I hope though that I won’t have to give anyone that burden; to ask someone to ‘pull the plug’ if I can’t reach it myself. Rather, I pray that our health care will allow for as humane a health care provider as the veterinarian Angel (and I) had today. Support, compassion and hugs in a quiet room where everyone was treated with dignity. They even let Angel kiss them all over the face – yuk – and the vet and I shared a heart-felt hug after. That’s quality at end-of-life.
Thanks for sharing Lise. For anyone who has had to put a loved pet to sleep, it makes this question all the more relevant. So sorry about your dog Angel.
Hi Lise,
In your third paragraph, I feel as though I’m listening to my mom. She has told me that once she loses the cognitive functions of her mind, she does not want to live in a diaper, unaware of her surroundings.
I can see the love you have for Angel by not risking the possibility of poor treatment in the hands of others given that no home could be found for her at such a senior age, and also the possibility of separation anxiety she may have experienced by no longer being with “her special person”. I am very sorry for your loss.
Over the years, Tony has helped me out on many occasions with my grieving of my beloved cats. The first time I met him, I had been grieving for one of my cats for two years. It is tough to lose a beloved pet.
I wish you well.
Thank-you Francoise. The “power” of making such a decision – between the life or death of another living being – is frightening. On the one hand – regardless the condition of another – we have no right to think for them and just let nature/science take its course. On the other hand, we believe with our heart that we act in the other’s best interest.
Cranial vs emotional? If in 50 years my senior son was ailing and no longer able to care for his 100+-yr-old mother, what would happen I wonder? What if his emotions don’t match mine?
Tony, this subject has made me think of all angles; it’s not as simple as yes and no. Thanks for bringing it up.
Yes, it is food for thought and that train is coming down the track, whether we like it or not.