I am surprised that there is talk of taking pills -- or whatever -- so that one can die with dignity and avoid pain, etc. Perhaps that's because where I live there are several excellent hospice centers. I've been with people when they've died in hospital, and I've been with others when they've died in one of the hospices, and there is no comparison. In the past 90 days I've said goodbye to two dear cancer stricken friends in hospices. They both died comfortable, no pain, with great dignity, and until their final 60/90 minutes were alert
, aware, and communicating with friends and family.
Hospice allowed time for goodbyes. I know that sounds formulamatic (if there is such a word) and "perhaps for someone else, but that's not for me!" Well, these two, several months before they died, before they got into the hospice program, felt similar. Once in the program they realized the medical staff were experts in dying! And that they were there not just to help them, but to help the family as well. And, as the end neared and they were pain free, yet lucid, they found indeed there were things to say, and things to hear. Their deaths, while not joyous occasions, were love filled events as their lives came to proper, natural, and to all, acceptable conclusions.
The Kevorkian solution may be fine if you have no friends or family, and no access to hospice. But I am convinced the whole Oregon, Kevorkian approach only has validity when a modern hospice approach is not available. In part that's because the hospice approach is a Kevorkian one --- your end is hastened by the drugs given to keep you pain free --- but it's a far more sophisticated, class way to go. You depart when it really is your time to go. You are not whipping off, or rushing to get it done, "while you still can." Those that can are there to do it for you with drugs that would fetch a fortune on the street and they know how to handle them. And they're doing it every day, day after day.
End days, hours, in a modern hospice are a gift to yourself, yes. Equally they are a final gifit to those who love you and for me that's the best part.
Someday in the next 50 years, chances are 99% of people reading this are going to die. I beg of you now, now while you can, find out about
the hospice situation in your community. The ones here are nothing short of fabulous.
Sheldon AKA Sleepless
Post Edited (Sleepless09) : 7/2/2011 7:24:55 PM (GMT-6)