| Mar 21, 2006 @ 12:35 PM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against?
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SylvanDreams
Posts: 2,133
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Thanks, Holding.
And just look at those two Menendez boys in California who killed their perfectly healthy parents so they could get their money. How many more would be so totally willing to euthanize an elderly or sick relative for personal gain, if it were legal?
As far as suicide goes, my father shot himself in the head when I was 20. He was an alcoholic, and just could not deal with it anymore. He had health problems (largely related to his alcoholism), but would probably have lived many more years. I learned from that experience that I would NEVER do that to my children.
When I am old and in pain, we shall see if I can stick to that resolve....or if they would want me to.
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| Mar 21, 2006 @ 12:51 PM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against? |
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CynCity
Posts: 556
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Sylvan, that's exactly what I was talking about. I was 15 when my dad killed himself, and it leaves a he77 of a lot of scars, doesn't it?
When I go, my kids will have no say in the matter or ever feel a moments guilt about it. I'd take the pain to spare them from that.
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| Mar 21, 2006 @ 1:29 PM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against?
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Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 15,333
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Look what Hitler did to the Jews.
Agreed, but somehow I don't think (or at least I certainly hope not) that there's a huge risk of that here. I suppose in the grand scheme of things a month or two of agony is no big deal, but I can't help but think it's wrong to be so very conscious of the value of live that you can't even allow the pain to be alleviated because according to law that would be tantamount to assisting suicide. I can only hope that those who perpetuate this kind of law never have to see or experience this kind of pain themselves.
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| Mar 21, 2006 @ 1:43 PM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against? |
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kattsmeow
Posts: 21,272
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I agree Heaven. The part about not giving more pain killers to them?? Because it might hurt them? Yep, heard that one before.
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| Mar 21, 2006 @ 2:24 PM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against?
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giftylight
Posts: 87
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i work in the medical field,most of my patients have terminal illnesses. My own father died a long slow death from cancer. And yes i still stand by what i originally said ,it is selfish to ask another person assist in taking their own life.
We live in a day of modern medical approaches, Drs discuss expected phases of their given disease proceses with them, most of the time way in advance . Now with this knowledge of ones own physical illness is this not still on the person themselves that they have not made preperations, to ignore medical information given then when the situation does indeed reach the point they were denying, then expect someone else to assist them into an easy out, to "help" them end the suffering?
it is not my call to assist ending another life,reguardless of the suffering, thats Gods business.
and a question,, IF they are unable to accomplish this themselves,,which would mean they are most likely bed riden, most of the time their mental status is not up to par. then HOW does anyone know this IS truly what they want?
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| Mar 21, 2006 @ 3:51 PM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against? |
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hope67
Posts: 535
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if there is no hope of getting better and to stay around would only bring pain , then i would be for it . do not know if i could be the one to do it , but still , would like to think i could understand the other person's point of view .
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| Mar 21, 2006 @ 4:44 PM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against?
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exiled131
Posts: 1,808
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assisted suicide? hell, i am not only for it, i want to help as many as possible do it. call me a giver and an old softie.
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| Mar 21, 2006 @ 10:15 PM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against? |
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WickedWench
Posts: 1,613
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IF they are unable to accomplish this themselves,,which would mean they are most likely bed riden, most of the time their mental status is not up to par. then HOW does anyone know this IS truly what they want?
By the time the patient's condition has deteriorated this badly there is often prior discussion on how to proceed when this stage occurs. That's the first part of it and often involves family and palliative care nurses and Dr's.
(Sadly this isn't always the case because of strongly opposing views, unacceptance of the inevitable, stages of dying, lack of information etc. Multiple reasons).
The other component to ensuring that this is in fact the patient's wish and NOT that of any medical staff or self-serving relatives is a document called a "Living Will". Depending on what country, state province etc will determine whether it's accepted or even recognized.
So mental competency aside, this can be determined ahead of time.
And in more and more cases it is. Because of more progressive thinking society is finally developing regarding euthanasia, the decision is removed from the hands of people who inflict their religous beliefs and refuse terminally ill patients the right to die with dignity.
Please don't misunderstand that religion isn't a very important component. I've witnessed some incredibly inspiring faith that eased spiritual/emotional suffering.
But there is a limit to that and it stops where the patient clearly expresses a desire for it to stop.
No one should have the right to over ride their wishes.
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| Mar 21, 2006 @ 11:00 PM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against?
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pitbullgurl
Posts: 740
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I've seen so much death, some of it so senseless, I don't know if I could take part in any more. But I wouldn't be angry if someone had to take their own life because of their pain
You're one heck of a strong woman Cyn. Many would crumble with only half of what you have gone through...my hats off to you!!  
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| Mar 21, 2006 @ 11:06 PM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against? |
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giftylight
Posts: 87
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all true,but the question was not concerning palative care and living wills,those ONLY prevent certain medical treatments limits the measures taken by the medical staff and Drs to prolong life
assisted suicide is another issue altogether,,,,,
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| Mar 21, 2006 @ 11:29 PM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against?
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WickedWench
Posts: 1,613
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assisted suicide is another issue altogether
You're quite obviously very wisened to palliative Gifty and I respect that. 
However, there is little, if any difference, in euthanasia and assisted suicide.In fact they are one in the same but just known as different names, mostly I suspect out of a need to protect the public from a truth they are unable to either accept or handle. This has been going on for numerous years.
Both involve allowing the patient to pass peacefully without dramatic intervention. Both could and mostly likely do involve analgesics, high doses narcotics for pain relief/control.. Both acknowledge there is no intervention that will cause the cessation of the terminal disease process.
Semantics I think at best.
Respectfully
Wench
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| Apr 2, 2006 @ 10:27 AM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against? |
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tezra
Posts: 195
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So what is your view on just stepping back and letting them die? I would like everyone to stop coddling all the junkies in rehab, and just let them go ahead and OD. It IS self inflicted, and the natural consequence is death, so they are basically attempting suicide. They are not asking you to assist. As a matter of fact, most get fairly combatant if you try to come between them and their drugs.
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| Apr 2, 2006 @ 11:04 AM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against?
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t_h_e_b_r_a_t
Posts: 386
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I would love to see an end to any kind of tax dollars, or any other kind of goverment enforced method of paying for these "rehabs". They want to do this to themselves, let them. If they all die, what will we really be losing? If they have friends and families that care so much for them, let them do the rehabilitation themselves.
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| Apr 5, 2006 @ 12:41 AM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against? |
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Lovely1368
Posts: 112
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It would be a lot more fair if it were handled that way. I don't appreciate having to foot the bill for any of this. Once had a supervisor who was always going on and on about how much she believed and supported the concept. Claimed that it saved the country all this money. Tried to show me her data that supported this belief. Went over it with her and showed her how the data had been manipulated.
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| Apr 5, 2006 @ 3:32 AM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against?
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simplegal873
Posts: 141
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As a medical professional and particularly a respiratory therapist, I have been called to terminate life support for patients whom the family has undertaken the horribly difficult decision to withdraw care. My personal choice, which my employer is aware of, is that I refuse to terminate life support on anyone, thereby assisting in their demise. There was one instance last year, where I bent my personal rule, when the physician who was terminating the ventilator did not know how to properly shut the machine down and it kept alarming like crazy. There were many family members in that room and the look of horror on their faces and that of the doctor's as well was too much, so on that instance, I did go into the room and finish what the doctor had been unable to accomplish because of his unfamiliarity with that particular brand of ventilator. The doctor later thanked me, as choosing to terminate a life or life support, even though it may have been requested by the patient, their family, or a living will or advance directive, as they are known in the medical profession is very traumatic, emotionally, for anyone involved and moreso when the withdrawal of care does not go smoothly. I intervened only to spare the highly increased emotional trauma that the doctor and family members were experiencing at that time due to a screw up.
I have had cancer patients literally beg me to help them end their life but on the other hand, I've also had families insist that we save "Dear Mom" because they "just have to keep getting those checks every month" and yes, that is EXACTLY how it was put! I got an education as a healthcare professional to save lives, not to help end them.
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| Apr 6, 2006 @ 12:33 PM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against? |
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Lovely1368
Posts: 112
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Have known, been (hey I was drafted with no way out, was a lady I knew and cared for, and no one else would do it, not even her own kids) and have been related to nurses. Seems they go into this career with good intentions, but the actual ugliness they see burns them out pretty fast if they don't have the stomach for it. Problem is, that is their income so they usually just keep working in the field, and the patients suffer for it.
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| Apr 6, 2006 @ 6:12 PM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against?
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Say_Yes
Posts: 1,786
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I am for it. If an animal is suffering, we put it out of its misery, saying that it is the humane thing to do. We do not know if the animal concurs, but make the decision in good conscience. If another human being, decides that the pain of their continued life is too painful to bear, who are we to tell them otherwise?
Yes, there should be safeguards in place, such that it is not abused, but I certainly hope that if I am ever in that situation that a loved one of mine will pull the plug and let me go.
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| Apr 7, 2006 @ 12:53 PM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against? |
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tezra
Posts: 195
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I made sure to sit down anyone who might be involved in this decision, or even those who would have to deal with the decision, that if I had no brain activity, or no hope of meaningful recovery, pull the frickin plug. They already know my wishes point blank, so no confusion as to what I would want.
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| Apr 15, 2006 @ 10:32 AM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against?
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tezra
Posts: 195
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Just came across this...
http://www.dogs-r-it.com/dog-attacks/2005/12/face-transplant-dog-attack-or-rescue.php
The story about the first face transplant left out a few things. If this woman was injured due to her own suicide attempt, why did they even bother with this surgery? Seems like they should have done it with a more deserving candidate. I also thought it was ironic that the donor of the face was also a suicide attempt.
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| Apr 15, 2006 @ 1:15 PM |
Assisted Suicide....For or Against? |
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grumblebear
Posts: 10,491
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well, I just filled out a living will this week... I didn't go for a D.N.R., (Do Not Resucitate), but I did say if I am brain dead, or unable to make decisions, I put the power for decisions into my two sisters hands... and out of the doctor's... and I sat down with them, and their husbands and discussed what my wishes are...
it only makes sense these days to make sure your wishes are known.... and designating someone that power should we become incapacitated...
Suicide isn't my option, in fact I figure I'm a fighter... but do I want to linger on machines? no...
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