Should assisted dying be made legal.

[margaret*e]

I was given a leaflet with an address to send a protest to, but with some restrictions, I'm not totally against the idea.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28274531

[upthecreekyetagain]

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@cee-dee wrote:

Up to a point, there's already assisted dying under the guise of end-of-life treatment.

The use of syringe drivers for the administration of diamorphine eases pain but also helps you on your way!

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I would surmise that most patients suffering from a painful terminal illness do die from the pain killers rather than the disease itself but that doesn't answer the question as to whether or not they should be assisted if they wish to die before this point is reached.

My mother died in her mid forties ostensibly from breast cancer that spread into her lymphatic system.  Ultimately it was the amount of pain killers required to dull the pain that killed her.

That doesn't mean that for the weeks leading up to that point she wasn't in almost constant agony because the level of pain killers the doctor was willing to give her only assisted with reducing the pain to what he considered bearable - the level required to stop the pain would have been fatal.

So despite her asking for larger doses she had to suffer those last few weeks until the pain grew to a level that the drugs required just to reduce this was a fatal dose. 

How it can be suggested that someone in such a situation could just refuse further 'treatment' in order to speed up the end is unbelievable!

[saasher2012]

I meant surgery not pain relief!

[margaret*e]

No offence, Creeky, but I think you're letting your personal experience  colour your judgement.

I can see Sasher didn't mean anything offensive .

Before you say thats easy for me to say, I too lost my Mother early in traumatic circumstances that I won't go into on here.

[margaret*e]

Sam, you sneaked in while I was typing.

[upthecreekyetagain]

Well I'm out of this thread, simply reiterating what Bank said in an earlier post to those who are against the idea of assisted 'suicide', "When you have someone you deeply care about, asking you how much longer will they have to suffer, you might think differently."

[al**bear]

Yes it should

Another case of  'Religions and the Religious' imposing their beliefs on everyone else

[tommy.irene]

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@al**bear wrote:

Yes it should

Another case of  'Religions and the Religious' imposing their beliefs on everyone else

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Why is religion coming into this? It has no relevance in today's world.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2690459/I-wouldn-t-mind-having-right-die-says-Desmond-Tutu-C... 

[*.*..lola..*.*]

I understand all this but with respect if his life is so bad & he wants to go, why can he not do it himself why expect someone else to do what you cannot .

Sam I totally understand what you are saying but I don't believe assisted dying has got anything to do with a person wanting to commit suicide because their life has become so bad - it's the opposite actually.

When someone is diagnosed with a terminal illness, I can imagine that every single second of the time they have left becomes precious to them.

The urge to live would be so strong that they would want to cling on to life for as long as they are still able to think and see and hear and be aware of what is going on around them.

To me, assisted dying is about making arrangements in advance for when they are no longer able to do any of those things, when they are no longer mentally competent or physically able to control what is happening to them. When they no longer have any quality of life whatsoever.

It's not about wanting to end their own life, it's about being able to choose how and when the inevitable is going to happen and  to try and spare everyone involved from any unnecessary and inhumane suffering.

This is such a senstive subject and I hope I've manage to explain my thoughts without causing anyone offence or upset x

[saasher2012]

I'm sorry you feel that way, my comments were made to a particular case not in general all cases are different, this poor guy had had surgery before knowing it was to prolong life even though in his case it appears to be terminal, the will to live is strong especially in times of pain free moments, my point is this, you are asking a Dr to go against everything he has been taught, the giving of drugs ,especially powerful pain relieve is strictly adhered too, not only for the patient but also for the Drs safety. In this day of litigation for mistakes & the real threat of being struck off not apart from knowing you have actually killed someone is not to be taken lightly.
I have said I am not against ending of life in certain cases. But it must be done so that both parties are safe!.
I also have seen people close to me in terrible pain & wished it could end sooner rather than later, so have many others . & I still say I couldn't do it so why should I expect someone else to do it for me!.you may not agree but these are my genuine thoughts on this debate.

[**caution**opinion_ahead]

Saasher, assisted dying happens already.  As has been said already on this thread, morphine depresses breathing and probably the majority of people with a terminal illness die due to morphine overdose.  The medical staff know they are giving a dose that will kill.

So, by changing the law to allow assisted dying, you would be protecting these medical staff from subsequent claims of malpractice.  And, furthermore, you would be allowing the patient, and their relatives, a say in what was happening. 

The right to assisted dying would protect everyone. 

Any system can be abused and that is what regulation is for.  To say assisted dying should not be introduced in case it is abused by some would be like saying cars should not be allowed because when driven dangerously there can be fatalities. 

[saasher2012]

I agree with all you say but because it is such an emotive issue, that is why it will take so long to become legal if at all, unfortunately !.
Even though palliative drugs can allow the patient to be more lucid & to be allowed to make decisions for themselves & make plans with their family, it doesn't always work for some, the process of being able to make that final decision legally would take so long as has been proved by a few who have gone to court to try & have their wishes carried out, the process of the final act should be made so that it is speeded up for the good of those involved.
I know the administration of Morphine is used to speed up the process, I would like it to be legal to do it more quickly so as to end anyone's continued suffering, but in the knowledge that all are in agreement & no repercussions are forthcoming for that act of compassion!.

[bankhaunter]

The medical staff know they are giving a dose that will kill.

Unfortunately there are countless examples of nurses refusing to give enough morphine to relieve the person's pain in case they are accused of doing just that.

[evoman3957]

The truth of the matter is, that although we may differ in how to resolve the issue; NONE of us want the people we care for, to suffer, to be in pain, or to be frightened of what's to come. My view is that, in an advanced and civilized society, we should not even have this problem. Both my Parents and My in-laws died of strokes, they took a long time to go and it was not easy. In all cases the medical profession withdrew food and water ( which was supposed to help them go quicker ), but in fact seemed, to me, to make it very hard. My mother in law ( a good woman who had never hurt a fly in her life ) took 3 days to die and we had to hear her death rattle for 24 hours. THAT will stay with me to MY grave and I can't believe there couldn't have been a better way. Although I'm a bit of a roughy, toughfy and my tollerance levels have dwindled, over the years, to practically zero...............the truth of the matter is, that I cannot walk past a dying bird; without picking it up, if only to make sure it is warm and doesn't die alone.

[captainbovine]

people were being assisted to die when I was a nurse in the 70's, long before LCP was invented.

I shall certainly consider ending my own life should I become ill enough to have to depend on others. I could assist my OH too if he was suffering, unconditional love isn't just about happy things, it's about knowing your other half and I certainly wouldn't want him to suffer, if he asked me to help I would. He, on the other hand could not assist me, therefore I will have to make arrangements for myself should I need to do it.

[Anonymous]

To answer the o/p's question, you would have to realise just how you would feel if in a terminal illness. All these good doers, havent a clue untill one day..........................BAMB, its their turn to put the question to others.

[Anonymous]

Sooooooooooo glad I'm Dutch.

My dad chose for euthanasia and I'm to this day grateful that he did.

I mixed and gave him the cocktail of drugs to put him in a deep coma. The doctor did the rest 2 hours later.

I have no regrets. He died clear of mind, not drugged up to his eyeballs with morphine, with his family around him.

It was all done within the Dutch law and it was very dignified.

Other family members died of cancer as well, and didn't take the same option as my dad............and it was horrible to witness.

[saasher2012]

I think that is what we are hoping for here but as per usual it's slow in being put into motion!.

[**forum-decorum**]

Not one of us has the right to judge anyone else about the decisions they make with their suffering loved ones. I am so glad that due to the laws at present I have a duty to follow those laws so the awful choice of whether or not to do it is taken out of my hands.

All I know is on a personal level is that, to assist in finishing a life goes against my conscience due to my being taught from the bible, So I personally believe it does have everything to do with religion.

What I also will say is, as my own father is right at this moment on his death bed, we, my family and I have had to make some very sad and difficult decisions.  We all have the right to a dignified, peaceful, painfree and stress free death as much as is possible, the sufferer and the family of the one who is dying. I have found that the law of this land and the palliative care programme goes a long way in assisting the family and the sufferer so their is no need for the law to be changed.

What I will say though is, should the law change and people do use it to help themselves and their loved ones I would not condemn or judge them I would have every sympathy for them, but I would still feel that assisted suicide should not be legalised.

My heart goes out to every single person and their families,that are going through this time. I understand how these decisions are certainly not taken lightly and are taken because of the great love there is amongst the family. It is such a very hard decision to have to make and the  ones making those decisions are suffering very much during it too, only those going through it knows what it is like.

Compassion is the key word here, such a very sad subject to have to contemplate.

Every single persons feelings should be considered with sympathy,/empathy and compassion.

[mr-expresso]

Hi all...

What if your Mum, Dad, Brother, Sister or any other relative wanted assisted death because they thought they were a 'burbon' on the family?

[saasher2012]

I believe that would not be a valid reason for euthanasia !& I honestly think & hope the relatives would feel the same way. This is I'm afraid where it gets complicated & you can see why it will take time if it ever is passed in law!.