What are your opinions about euthanasia?

Rickie The Grey wrote: it would have to be a very very unique situation but I don't think I could do it. Having wintnesed three hospice end of life events there was no suffering I could tell of, just a slow wind down over time and then a quiet transition.

That is never an easy thing for anyone to do. As a military combatant, I have held my fellow military member's hands as they passed. I think just having someone there with them at the end helps to ease the suffering and give them the love and caring that allows them to have that quiet peaceful transition.

Maybe it is just my hope and eases my peace of mind.

Brenna wrote: It is murder? Or compassion?

I guess it depends on which side of the lethal injection youre on.

Actually, it wouldnt be up to what side you stand, as opposed to the other person.

Murder if it is without consent, compassion if it with consent.

What you think is irrelevant.

I find this hard, as in my profession, people die alot.

Family members have broken down wishing that there suffering family member would die. I have had a girl literallly beg me to save her grandmother who had signed a DNR,and really, giving the situation, we couldnt have revived her anyway.

I remember a wife asking me to shave her dying husband, who was gasping out his life and thinking letting this go on was not right.

I recently had a patient die of well, being really, really, old, and I remember thinking that "natural causes", which is waiting for a person to die out, is much more cruel than euthanasia. It can take days, and there in obvious distress just to get another breath, there limbs mottle,etc.

Last night, there was a lady who, going into work today, will most likely have past.

She just doesnt want to be alone, screams for someone when I cant sit with her(I have other patients) terrified, and holds onto my hand in a death grip like doing so will keep her alive.

Given her condition, she is suffering greatly, and the process is slow,painful, and uncomfortable.

These are just a few examples of what my year shapes out to be.

Its offset is only that, we do save/revive/ heal many as well.

However, by some cosmic joke, I usually get the dying as patients, and am requested to help...processing after.

Cleaning the deceased, letting the family view, after, tag on toe, place in bag, tag on zipper, and then on a special gurney and down to the morgue.

I am told I deal with death and dying well.

Moreso, I am able to keep my head, keep the jokes out( people tend to joke as a defense mechanism, as death, and its proximity, over, and over, can be, well, stressful)

I dont cry, get anxiety attacks,etc.

More and more though, its only reinforced my being for euthanasia.

My opinion is that, no ones opinion matters, but the person who wishes to pass. For whatever reason they give, only they have the right to their life...or death. I, for me, would only ask for death if the pain was to great and the end was inevitable anyway. With no cure and only pain, I would ask for relief from my suffering. If my family has the power of attorney for my healthcare, they would know the parameters of which I would request death when I cannot speak for myself.

No one has the right to infringe or interfere on/in your life, or death, without your consent.

sorry, forgot to add...

If I ask for it, there should be no law that would prohibit it, if of course, I asked for it in "sound mind". "Sound mind" also includes being reasonably able to answer the question as to why and under what circumstances.

For me, the right to decide.

As we (as far as we know) had no choice coming into this world, where possible (and to balance the scales) we should have the right to decide when we leave it.

That being said I don't know what I'll choose to do. I may just let nature take its course...

That being said I don't know what I'll choose to do. I may just let nature take its course...

As if there was another alternative.

Khaos wrote:

That being said I don't know what I'll choose to do. I may just let nature take its course...

As if there was another alternative.

The alternative being choosing to end it before nature does its thing.

There are people who, because of not having the option for early termination, choose to end their own life by starving themselves to death. One can choose to stay off of medication to allow their body a natural death, though painful, regardless of what is advised by caretakers, yet one is not allowed to ask for a lethal, humane shot to end their life as peacefully and painlessly as possible. Honestly, I think it would be just fine to use the same technique used in a spinal block. It just seems more humane, especially if the patient is in pain and they'd be on life support for the remainder of their life. We humans behave as if we have dominion over the lives of other animals, but not our own. We somehow just can't handle ourselves? I would personally choose death over life support.

My thoughts are it should be only allowed to people who have a terminal disease which is progressing, and has evident associated symptoms impacting quality of life. I know living is terminal too, but living is not a diseased state of living lol, hmmm. I don't think anyone should be forced to experience a painful terminal collapse of the body if that is what is happening to them.

If someone does not fit my classification, and really wants to die, then they will find a way. Unfortunately for them, a solution to their manic depression, chronic pain etc might be around the corner, so if its not progressed and terminal, then all efforts IMO should be on survival at any cost.

I have stuff in my medicine cabinet which can blow my flame out, so its not like it's impossible to do it. The issue isn't who should be allowed to end their own life, its about at what point can the medical establishment end someones life for them.

It needs to also make sure it cannot be abused from within the medical establishment by staff working in grey areas of ethics or the shadows around the law.

These are just my thoughts though, its a personal thing for the family who usually know the person best. Perhaps it needs to include close friends if possible who aren't beneficiary's to any monies or property to avoid manipulation, or long term care... so staff can make determinations about that persons character and falling quality of life - as oppossed to moods, mental state or psychological conditions.

The dangerzone for this topic is the psychological side - when is a person 'capable' of making such a decision. Here there is a high profile story at the moment which has seen;

"On 23 July 2014 the Australian Medical Board voted to use emergency powers to suspend his practitioner's license immediately, on the grounds that he presents "a serious risk to public health and safety". Dr Nitschke said he would appeal the suspension, which he claimed was "politically motivated"."

because;

"Perth man Nigel Brayley, 45, died in May this year after taking the euthanasia drug Nembutal, which he illegally imported.
In emails obtained by the ABC, Mr Brayley admitted to Dr Nitschke he was not "supporting a terminal medical illness", but said he was "suffering".
Now Dr Nitschke is being accused of moving into uncharted territory by agreeing to assist Mr Brayley despite knowing he was not terminally ill."

source

Adder wrote: The issue isn't who should be allowed to end their own life, its about at what point can the medical establishment end someones life for them.

It's obviously situational, like you pointed out. I've told my wife and family that if I were in a vegetated state, I don't want them to keep me hooked up to machines to extend my life. I would want them to euthanize me. At the point of no return, as I say in regards to this, is when I would say is the right time. Considering the amount of time estimated left to live, it would seem fitting to allow the family to say their goodbyes and then end it. Now, I see what you're talking about, as far as grey areas go, because someone with an agenda can set up the parameters to legally kill someone, which would be murder, as I see it. I would have to take more time to consider more about this topic, before continuing. Great stuff to think about.

Phortis Nespin wrote: My opinion is that, no ones opinion matters, but the person who wishes to pass. For whatever reason they give, only they have the right to their life...or death. I, for me, would only ask for death if the pain was to great and the end was inevitable anyway. With no cure and only pain, I would ask for relief from my suffering. If my family has the power of attorney for my healthcare, they would know the parameters of which I would request death when I cannot speak for myself.

No one has the right to infringe or interfere on/in your life, or death, without your consent.

sorry, forgot to add...

If I ask for it, there should be no law that would prohibit it, if of course, I asked for it in "sound mind". "Sound mind" also includes being reasonably able to answer the question as to why and under what circumstances.

This sums up my thoughts pretty well. I do believe, though, the putting down of animals is sometimes not always completely justified. Under the circumstances in which it is an act of compassion and mercy rather than that of interference, I do believe it is the correct thing to do.