Comments on: Assisted Suicide

By: Weekly Meanderings « The Way of a Pilgrim

Weekly Meanderings « The Way of a Pilgrim — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:08:08 +0000

[...] A Reformed Look at Creation, Design, and Evolution” a Sunday school resource 13. Thoughts on Washington’s assisted suicide vote 14. Dumb police ticket 15. Deer hunts man in Missouri 16. Where have all the acorns gone? 17. [...]

By: Rahab

Rahab — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:57:44 +0000

Dear Rose,
Thank you for responding back to me; but, through the experience of my grandfathers death it was the case of the lethal/over dose of the narcotic morphine that took my Grandfather~ peacefully–this particular drug has more of an affect that people realize. It is “sort of” like a “letting die process arise, but rather not—it calmingly shutsdown the muscles and nerological process, breathing, and alike..I think other doctors would agree with this medical process of keeping comfortable, but to a level if weak enough—death overtakes.
As for my beliefs on taking the life of others–I do not believe in this pratice; but, again with the use of narcotic drugs, we offer for substanctial medical conditions. This is quite similar to lethally putting someone down. This is my opinion…and what I have experienced, and….
As for using an example of a pet: My former hybrid timber/wolf named “Lilly” 128 pounds she stood; lovely; I put her down by lethal injection (which was one of the most difficult emotions that I have ever experienced in my life) But, rather witnessing a animal grieve in violent pain, her back crippled from spinal degnerative disorder due to her age (13 yrs almost) , bladder / and other failures, seizures, and hemoriging from her nsoe–I felt God gave us the wisdom to live superior over the animal–therefore, I took her life by Dr. S hand in putting her down, and cremating her–ashes in a marble Vase–lovely she remains; A Memory lingers greatly of her……Isaiah 65:25

By: Rose

Rose — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:17:27 +0000

Rahab,
I think what your describing is part of the “letting die” process. Many people actually die from the effect of the pain management care they receive. To me, it may be semantics but it is not the same as having an intentional lethal injection that kills. I could change my mind about that, because as I said in my post, these are very complex issues. I could not bring myself to vote for assisted suicide. Thanks for your comments, I appreciate them.

By: Rahab

Rahab — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 03:29:32 +0000

A small comment I’ll make in regards to the ethical approach ; as well as a truthful stance on its practice. Although not being a nurse, but a woman formerly married to a cancer treating specialist. If we are honest…. when it comes closely to a humans death, and the severity of their suffering it is the medical occupations responsibities to give the greatest of comfort to these individuals towards the ending of their lives…..saying that than….one shot of morphine-can greatly deaden the pain-let alone offer a slip-away of a life—quickly. This fact we do not hear of extensively; but , it happens quite often to say the least. In my opinion for the gravely un-humane suffering…this would highly be considered a blessing. Some…suffering so badly—not even having the capabilty to ask for someone to take their lives for them…but, none the less…The suffering subided by the narcotics we offer is already considered a euthenasia process-if we are at all honest.
A very dear elderly man ( my grandfather) passed on this way…..comfortalbe…and at peace this process put him to sleep in the ER. We live in a fallen world….”circumstances…are in the eyes of each man or woman…” Rahab

By: Christians & Assisted Suicide « Amphibologia

Christians & Assisted Suicide « Amphibologia — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 06:27:30 +0000

[...] It’s a short post, but I think she makes some good points. You can check out the whole thing here, but here’s a short quote: When we talk about assisted suicide or euthanasia, I believe we [...]

By: Keith Seckel

Keith Seckel — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:27:15 +0000

Hi Rose,

I happen to agree with your well-articulated position, and I’d like to add my $0.02 as a Home Hospice RN.

I’ve been an RN for over 10 years, but have been working in Hospice only for a little over a year. The agency I work for views Hospice philosophy in these terms: it is not our role to hasten death nor to prolong life; but to care while we may, and help in what manner we are able, allowing each person the best possible chance for a comfortable and peaceful death.

The agency’s stance on Death with Dignity (also known as Physician Assisted Suicide or “PAS” although proponents understandably prefer not to use this term) is that if a patient chooses to follow through, our staff will not be directly involved in the act, but will continue to offer comfort care through the time of death, as with any other patient.

If a patient asks their RN (or other staff member) to be present at the time they ingest the lethal dose we are not required to honor that request; however we are given permission to do so if we so choose. While I have not yet faced this situation, I have decided I am willing to be present, to offer care and comfort even as the person takes their own life.

I have been present with a handful of my patients at their death and all have been peaceful and comfortable. It is not always this way, but it is what we all hope for, I think.

In my limited experience, I have also come to understand that those who pursue PAS (whether it is simply obtaining information or obtaining the Rx itself) usually do not follow through. But apparently just knowing they have that option affords them a great measure of comfort. It seems Adam and Eve’s first foray into self-rule still entices us from somewhere within our fallen nature.

With many Hospice patients, it is as if simply having the option of being in some measure of control in the final act of dying allows the person living with a life-ending illness to somehow relinquish that control and find in its place a measure of peace.

This, I suppose, is just another facet of the upside-down, inside-out nature of the Kingdom, and perhaps the same could be said for all of us: God’s original plan for us having free will is that it allows the opportunity to find peace in surrendering what we dearly wish to hold.

May I be found thus surrendered when He calls my name,

~ Keith