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Post by Anne on Jul 18, 2014 10:16:59 GMT
As most of you will know, there is a bill at present going through the House of Lords, which will allow people who are within six months of death to choose to end their lives.
I have been following the pros and cons of this vexing question very carefully, and can see that there are merits on both sides, but overall I am firmly on the side of people being able to choose for themselves.
I have read many harrowing stories from relatives of the pain and suffering endured at the end of life, when the available pain relief is insufficient. Indeed, one story related how one man, suffering from terminal cancer, was issued with morphine which gave him three hours free from pain, the further hour before his 'caring' Macmillan nurse was allowed to issue the next dose had him screaming in agony. Believe me, I would rather not rely on professional help, but prefer to choose my own way.
We are all getting on a bit now, and I would be interested in any other views you may have
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Post by Ratae on Jul 18, 2014 10:35:39 GMT
I agree with you Anne, and have long ago made my feelings known to my sons. On the other hand, I wouldn't at all mind living to a ripe old age, then one sunny day, be found dead with my rifle in my hand slumped over my gun bag, surrounded by dead wabbits, at the old quarry!  BTW.....I have made my own arrangements for Smudger's demise, so don't bother asking him!!!!  |
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Post by nob on Jul 18, 2014 11:14:47 GMT
Long time ago when I lived in a different village there was an old couple a few houses from me and he had Cancer. He would scream in agony, his wife said it was unbearable. If I could ask him which way he would vote I know the answer.
My mum was dying from Heart failure and its not pretty she was at home just wanting to die banging the bed screaming I want to die, I know which way she would vote.
But I know the hospices wind you down and sort of assist now anyway. So legalize it and as adults who have no choice to live have their wish.
For anyone who missed Mr Smedley (Of the food company)at dignitas have a look at how peaceful it is.
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Post by jal on Jul 18, 2014 14:07:53 GMT
Well I think he was very brave to do that, and had a lot of courage.
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Post by pierre on Jul 18, 2014 14:55:59 GMT
As far as other people are concerned I would support the proposal.As for myself,I just don't know.I have told my wife that I would want to donate my body to medical science,and idea she is not very happy with.
I just don't want to think about it now--if you know what I mean ! Depressing.
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Post by banjo on Jul 18, 2014 17:55:18 GMT
Grappling with Cryptogenic Fibrosing Alveolitis, I reckon that my Dad sorted it for himself. He asked the consultant directly and was given 24 hours. About 12 hours later he was gone. I feel for the medics in these circumstances.
Drinkers will concur with his last blast... he arranged for half a dozen trolleys to be arranged radially around his hospital bed and the whole family were there- all raising a glass of their preferred poison!
Despite surviving on delivered oxygen, he was forced to buy his own stairlift. So much for the recent reigning in of benefits- this was 12 years ago. Near the end he stated that his twin brother (who had the same complaint and shuffled off within a year) could buy the stairlift if he wanted it. Sibling rivalry right to the end!
'jo
e&oe
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2014 18:40:06 GMT
As far as other people are concerned I would support the proposal.As for myself,I just don't know.I have told my wife that I would want to donate my body to medical science,and idea she is not very happy with. I just don't want to think about it now--if you know what I mean ! Depressing. Peter, I think if I told my wife that I wanted to donate my body to medical science, she would just laugh at me !  I appreciate it is a difficult thing to think about, but maybe at some time it is something that has to be faced. My own feelings are that I totally support the idea and would, if the circumstances dictated, prefer to have that choice and choose to end my life with dignity. The other thing that probably needs to be thought about is what comes next ? I don't mean 'life after death', because I firmly believe there ain't no such thing. The moment of death is like switching a light off, it's gone, over, finished. No, what I am referring to is burial or cremation. Personally, I have this entirely irrational fear of being stuck in a hole in the ground, even if 'the switch has been turned off'. So for me it will be a cremation and my family know that. I have also told my wife that I would prefer a non-religious funeral, but I will leave it up to her. My wife and I have very, very different views on religion, but we also respect each others views and it causes no conflict. I am totally atheistic in my outlook, whereas my wife, being a Church of Scotland Elder, has firm Christian views. so that's it then . . . . the big needle, a bonfire and no hymns . . . . sorted. |
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Post by Anne on Jul 18, 2014 18:59:08 GMT
The plain fact is that they cannot stop people killing themselves. According to the Samaritans, an average of 5 people a week throw themselves under trains, with the resulting terrible trauma to the train drivers. If someone is determined to die, surely it must be better to help them do so?
It is unlikely this bill will become law anytime soon, even if there was a majority in favour. It will not even be debated further until after their exceedingly long holiday. Funny how they can bring in a law raising taxes practically overnight, and something the majority of the country want (75% in YouGov poll) gets put on the back burner
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Post by Ratae on Jul 18, 2014 22:46:26 GMT
Bejazus.....what a bundle of laffs this thread is.  I do believe I'll have another drink.....a large one!  |
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Post by banjo on Jul 19, 2014 8:06:14 GMT
You should have been at my dad's "early" wake then! ;<D
e&oe
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Post by petersmyth1 on Jul 19, 2014 23:13:08 GMT
It is unlikely this bill will become law anytime soon, even if there was a majority in favour. Anne I wrote here about a fortnight ago that I was waiting for my brother to die which happened as expected due to the circumstances. Days later I and my other brothers and his family realised God was an understanding diety and rather than his family seeking an assisted escape from pain and suffering in the latter stages of lung cancer, which he was just starting to experience, god saw fit for him to have a stroke and less than 24 hours later all his suffering was over. Anybody who is against mercy killing, given it's legal safe guards, has never had experience of a painful death of a relative or close friend. |
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Post by nob on Jul 19, 2014 23:17:51 GMT
It is unlikely this bill will become law anytime soon, even if there was a majority in favour. Anne I wrote here about a fortnight ago that I was waiting for my brother to die which happened as expected due to the circumstances. Days later I and my other brothers and his family realised God was an understanding diety and rather than his family seeking an assisted escape from pain and suffering in the latter stages of lung cancer, which he was just starting to experience, god saw fit for him to have a stroke and less than 24 hours later all his suffering was over. Anybody who is against mercy killing, given it's legal safe guards, has never had experience of a painful death of a relative or close friend. Yep that's what I posted above yours Peter. Let them stand in our shoes and make the judgement. |
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