Comments on: Assisted Suicide Legal in Washington

By: lauriecastillo@att.net

lauriecastillo@att.net — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:56:44 +0000

While a think you make an eloquent speaker for your profession, you must come in to the real world of medicine and politics. I have just moved to North Carolina from Virginia and USED to be a healthcare Consultant, active speaker traveling around this great country helping physicians, hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers with documentation and CORRECT coding (I’m sure you know what I mean) to ensure patient’s are billed correctly. Since I moved, the doctors here took me off all but one of the medicines that I was on for my chronic pain and then when I recently had my gallbladder removed, only told me to increase that same medication every 4 hours instead of 6. Needless to say I was in severe pain for three days. I felt like I was back in the day when my previous husband used to beat me! Now I can’t work, can’t think, can’t move. When I looked at all of the bills I noticed that the anesthesiology supplies are paid MORE than the operating room supplies and the nurse anesthesitist was paid MORE than the surgeon. When I asked my surgeon why he couldn’t prescribe a postsurgical pain medication he stated that in North Carolina when a patient has a Pain physician there is a contract between all physicians that only the pain doctor can prescribe a medication. However, when I asked the pain doctors this they denied it. By the way, they all had electronic medical records and yet I had to go between my primary doctor, the surgeon and the pain physician.

By: chris b

chris b — Sun, 31 May 2009 08:37:25 +0000

5/31 I have been a hospital based RN x 29 yrs this month. I can say with no hesitation that assited suicide is not only merciful but it is common sense !!! Its easy to sit in front of a computer and debate the pros & cons , just try watching these people in agony, their doctors more afraid of the DEA than any GOD or man. This very night I have a patient who tried to commit suicide because her doctor was too afraid to increase her medication to effective doses. I see pts sufferring , begging for “comfort measures” which are legal!! This country is about to nationalize health care {hugh mistake} that means conditions for the suffering will only become more bueracratic . There is no law of man or God that entitles people to live to old age , the medical field & govenments need to remmember FIRST DO NO HARM!

By: M Hyman

M Hyman — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:06:57 +0000

Feeding tubes are removed in every major hospital in the USA on the comatose, the brain dead, and others like them–ending their lives. Technically this is doctor assisted suicide but rarely does the issue come to light. The last time it did, the matter concerned a young woman–who by all appearances was brain dead. Her husband wanted the feeding tube removed. Her parents did not. The matter went to court. The tube was removed and the woman died.

My biggest concern is when the state becomes involved. A patient’s own decision in the matter is one thing. When the government becomes involved, it becomes a whole other issue.

True, this is not Germany in the late 1930s. We are not performing euthanasia on Ballastexistenzen; nor are we legally murdering “the other.” Nonetheless, one must be vigilant to ensure that it never happens again, especially when the possibility exists that the state may be given in the not too distant future the authority to decide who gets medical care–and who does not.

“We are not dealing with machines, horses and cows whose only function is to serve mankind. . . . No, we are dealing with human beings . . . . sick people, if you like unproductive people. But have they for that reason forfeited their right to life?” From a sermon by Cardinal August Count von Galen, Bishop of Munster, Germany, August 3, 1941

By: M Hyman

M Hyman — Sat, 30 May 2009 03:29:12 +0000

My biggest concern is when the state becomes involved. A patient’s own decision in the matter is one thing. When the government becomes involved, it becomes a whole other issue.

True, this is Germany in the late 1930s. We are not performing euthanasia on Ballastexistenzen; nor are we legally murdering “the other.” Nonetheless, one must be vigilant to ensure that it never happens again, especially when the possibilty exists that the state may be given in the not too distant future the authority to decide who gets medical care–and who does not.

By: M Hyman

M Hyman — Sat, 30 May 2009 03:25:44 +0000

We alll know that feeding tubes are removed in every major hospital in the USA on the comatose, the brain dead, and others like them–ending their lives. Technically this is doctor assisted suicide but rarely does the issue come to light. The last time it did, the matter concerned a young woman–who by all appearances was brain dead. Her husband wanted the feeding tube removed. Her parents did not. The matter went to court. The tube was removed and the woman died.

My biggest concern is when the state becomes involved. A patient’s own decision in the matter is one thing. When the government becomes involved, it becomes a whole other issue.

By: Janine King

Janine King — Sat, 30 May 2009 00:02:48 +0000

Ablow has written a powerful piece. It goes to the “guts” of the issue. Yes, assisted suicide speaks to human empathy; but indeed it is “perilous” to the human spirit to consider assisted suicide as sanctioned option; and to have physicians — the healers — blur those lines. Entering dangerous territory in my opinion.

By: EK

EK — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:21:32 +0000

Good analysis of the law. Also, good description and amendment suggestion.

By: Mac

Mac — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:40:48 +0000

This topic has tremendous personal relevance for me.

Although I’ve always been a proponent of death-with-dignity for those whose circumstances in life pretty much amout to “cruel and unusual punishment” (be they physical or psychological), I must admit that Dr. Ablow’s words are compelling and inspirational.

My own long-held and vehement endorsement of “assisted suicide” is tempered by the realization that such an option has many potential downfalls. What if the person who has 6 months to live (in pain) really wants to stick it out, but feels guilty because of the expense, and prolonged sadness of his/her loved ones? What if the person has been manipulated by certain “loved ones” to end his/her life pronto (for the “loved ones” benefit)? What if…?

Seems to me that in addition to having physicians, family members, and/or witnesses there for the final decision, it would be really helpful to have an experienced therapist there, as well, to help sort out any issues and confusion about this most important matter.

I can’t help but admire (and be moved by) Dr. Ablow’s unflappable optimism and belief in people’s “magnificent will to live”.

May you never lose that beautiful love for people and life, Dr. Ablow!