Canada to allow doctor-assisted suicide

oftenreading

PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

oftenreading said:

It may be about freedom, but it can't just be about freedom; it needs to be done with proper safeguards and procedures. You need to be clear on who is potentially eligible and who is not, and how the individuals make their wishes known. Some jurisdictions seem to have gotten it right while there are significant concerns about others. The potential for "something getting botched" then goes up, not down.

Your concerns and points are all exactly the red tape that people want to avoid if they ever where in a position to make the choice of doctor-assisted suicide.

Private medical clinics catering to these people are going to be more visible now that it is legal. There will be financing O.A.C, cash, debit, Visa or MC.
Rest assured though as soon as the business end is taken care of so will you.

Private, for-profit death clinics. Sure, sounds very Canadian.

Will there be drive-through?

PJfanwillneverleave1

oftenreading said:

PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

oftenreading said:

It may be about freedom, but it can't just be about freedom; it needs to be done with proper safeguards and procedures. You need to be clear on who is potentially eligible and who is not, and how the individuals make their wishes known. Some jurisdictions seem to have gotten it right while there are significant concerns about others. The potential for "something getting botched" then goes up, not down.

Your concerns and points are all exactly the red tape that people want to avoid if they ever where in a position to make the choice of doctor-assisted suicide.

Private medical clinics catering to these people are going to be more visible now that it is legal. There will be financing O.A.C, cash, debit, Visa or MC.
Rest assured though as soon as the business end is taken care of so will you.

Private, for-profit death clinics. Sure, sounds very Canadian.

Will there be drive-through?

Drive-through with double lanes.

It's not for-profit death clinics that will pop up, it will be simply first come first served clinics.

HughFreakingDillon

will a doctor be obligated to perform the procedure even if he is anti-assisted suicide?

hedonist

TalonTedd said:

Is there a waiting list or do i need to answer a skill testing question?

Huh. I read that as kill testing question.

My mind goes to gambo's comment about the choices we make for our pets. It's not playing god, it's being humane, and kind...knowing that future days lack quality of life, dignity or comfort. We read the signs from these animals and stomach/heart-turning as it is for us, we must, for them. I'm convinced they know, they get it.

Us as people, with the ability to make known without doubt our will, surely we can choose that for ourselves, and then designate someone to facilitate it?

oftenreading

paulonious said:

will a doctor be obligated to perform the procedure even if he is anti-assisted suicide?

That's a big question right now. Currently, the ethics code of Canadian physicians obligates them to either perform duties within their scope of practice, even if they personally disagree with it ethically, or refer the patient to someone who can (such as for contraception, abortion, etc.). For assisted suicide the decision is still up in the air, like all aspects of this. A recent survey of Canadian physicians suggested about 75% would not be interested in performing physician assisted suicide, leaving about 25% who presumably would, which is actually a fairly big number given the likely small pool of ..patients? applicants? (whatever one would call them).

brianlux

Just heard from a prof friend who tells me she is working on CA Senate Bill 128 which would allow doctor assisted suicide for terminally ill in California. I'll post developments as I get them. Here's an article that talks about the bill:

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article7898076.html

backseatLover12

I'm a hospice volunteer and I just came from seeing a cancer patient, whom just 2 weeks ago, when he was lucid and intelligent just 2 weeks ago telling me the cancer spread to his bloodstream, to almost actively dying when I saw him today, inaudible, barely able to move and on liquid morphine. This poor man is dying in front of me. And all I can think is how he must suffer. I can actually understand "Help me" at one point of him attempting to speak. I talk to his nurses as to how much time he has and they say about 2 days at most. I hope he doesn't suffer long and all I can do is ensure he's comfortable.

You know what else comes to mind? That 2 weeks ago when I saw him, he told me that when he called a "friend" and asked him to come visit him, he replied that he's too busy; has a lot going on in his life. My heart bleeds for him.

hedonist

backseatLover12 said:

I'm a hospice volunteer and I just came from seeing a cancer patient, whom just 2 weeks ago, when he was lucid and intelligent just 2 weeks ago telling me the cancer spread to his bloodstream, to almost actively dying when I saw him today, inaudible, barely able to move and on liquid morphine. This poor man is dying in front of me. And all I can think is how he must suffer. I can actually understand "Help me" at one point of him attempting to speak. I talk to his nurses as to how much time he has and they say about 2 days at most. I hope he doesn't suffer long and all I can do is ensure he's comfortable.

You know what else comes to mind? That 2 weeks ago when I saw him, he told me that when he called a "friend" and asked him to come visit him, he replied that he's too busy; has a lot going on in his life. My heart bleeds for him.

But...that "help me", it sounds terrible for him. Why should he have to suffer two more days? It must be an eternity for him.

That said, my father was in hospice for a short while before he died, and the genuineness of those who cared - CARED - for him are still with me. So, as someone who appreciates what you and others like you do...thank you. Seems like you have a good heart.

HughFreakingDillon

backseatLover12 said:

I'm a hospice volunteer and I just came from seeing a cancer patient, whom just 2 weeks ago, when he was lucid and intelligent just 2 weeks ago telling me the cancer spread to his bloodstream, to almost actively dying when I saw him today, inaudible, barely able to move and on liquid morphine. This poor man is dying in front of me. And all I can think is how he must suffer. I can actually understand "Help me" at one point of him attempting to speak. I talk to his nurses as to how much time he has and they say about 2 days at most. I hope he doesn't suffer long and all I can do is ensure he's comfortable.

You know what else comes to mind? That 2 weeks ago when I saw him, he told me that when he called a "friend" and asked him to come visit him, he replied that he's too busy; has a lot going on in his life. My heart bleeds for him.

What a shit friend.

oftenreading

paulonious said:

backseatLover12 said:

I'm a hospice volunteer and I just came from seeing a cancer patient, whom just 2 weeks ago, when he was lucid and intelligent just 2 weeks ago telling me the cancer spread to his bloodstream, to almost actively dying when I saw him today, inaudible, barely able to move and on liquid morphine. This poor man is dying in front of me. And all I can think is how he must suffer. I can actually understand "Help me" at one point of him attempting to speak. I talk to his nurses as to how much time he has and they say about 2 days at most. I hope he doesn't suffer long and all I can do is ensure he's comfortable.

You know what else comes to mind? That 2 weeks ago when I saw him, he told me that when he called a "friend" and asked him to come visit him, he replied that he's too busy; has a lot going on in his life. My heart bleeds for him.

What a shit friend.

Yeah, doesn't really qualify as "friend".

Facebook friend, maybe.

PJfanwillneverleave1

oftenreading said:

paulonious said:

backseatLover12 said:

I'm a hospice volunteer and I just came from seeing a cancer patient, whom just 2 weeks ago, when he was lucid and intelligent just 2 weeks ago telling me the cancer spread to his bloodstream, to almost actively dying when I saw him today, inaudible, barely able to move and on liquid morphine. This poor man is dying in front of me. And all I can think is how he must suffer. I can actually understand "Help me" at one point of him attempting to speak. I talk to his nurses as to how much time he has and they say about 2 days at most. I hope he doesn't suffer long and all I can do is ensure he's comfortable.

You know what else comes to mind? That 2 weeks ago when I saw him, he told me that when he called a "friend" and asked him to come visit him, he replied that he's too busy; has a lot going on in his life. My heart bleeds for him.

What a shit friend.

Yeah, doesn't really qualify as "friend".

Facebook friend, maybe.

Any news station/paper would have a field day with this.
Headline - "Dying Cancer Patient Not Liked Enough By Friend On Facebook"

PJ_Soul

rgambs said:

Great point Hedo! I tell me family if I get terminal take me fishing and I'll go for one last swim lol

Lol.
My mom kept telling me that if she was too fucked up to do it herself, all I had to do was drag her to her car, put her in the driver's seat, hook up the hose, and stick it in the cracked window - the rest she could do herself.

Of course I would if I had to (and she'd say the same if it were me).

I am glad that neither if us will ever have to even think about doing such a thing now (and that i don't have to consider what prison might be like if I did).

I really can't express how relieved I am about this. I have been a fairly passionate supporter for euthanasia since I was old enough to be, and i am so glad I can let go of that sense of frustration that came from its illegality.... No thanks to Harper et al, btw.

backseatLover12

oftenreading said:

paulonious said:

backseatLover12 said:

I'm a hospice volunteer and I just came from seeing a cancer patient, whom just 2 weeks ago, when he was lucid and intelligent just 2 weeks ago telling me the cancer spread to his bloodstream, to almost actively dying when I saw him today, inaudible, barely able to move and on liquid morphine. This poor man is dying in front of me. And all I can think is how he must suffer. I can actually understand "Help me" at one point of him attempting to speak. I talk to his nurses as to how much time he has and they say about 2 days at most. I hope he doesn't suffer long and all I can do is ensure he's comfortable.

You know what else comes to mind? That 2 weeks ago when I saw him, he told me that when he called a "friend" and asked him to come visit him, he replied that he's too busy; has a lot going on in his life. My heart bleeds for him.

What a shit friend.

Yeah, doesn't really qualify as "friend".

Facebook friend, maybe.

Nice wishful thinking. This is his best friend. Let's face it. Many people don't deal well with sickness, mortality, nursing homes and hospitals. These people lose their friends in front of their eyes, then live to regret their actions for the rest of their lives. Don't become that person. Show your love often, because you never know when your last day will be… or your best friend's.

HughFreakingDillon

backseatLover12 said:

oftenreading said:

paulonious said:

backseatLover12 said:

I'm a hospice volunteer and I just came from seeing a cancer patient, whom just 2 weeks ago, when he was lucid and intelligent just 2 weeks ago telling me the cancer spread to his bloodstream, to almost actively dying when I saw him today, inaudible, barely able to move and on liquid morphine. This poor man is dying in front of me. And all I can think is how he must suffer. I can actually understand "Help me" at one point of him attempting to speak. I talk to his nurses as to how much time he has and they say about 2 days at most. I hope he doesn't suffer long and all I can do is ensure he's comfortable.

You know what else comes to mind? That 2 weeks ago when I saw him, he told me that when he called a "friend" and asked him to come visit him, he replied that he's too busy; has a lot going on in his life. My heart bleeds for him.

What a shit friend.

Yeah, doesn't really qualify as "friend".

Facebook friend, maybe.

Nice wishful thinking. This is his best friend. Let's face it. Many people don't deal well with sickness, mortality, nursing homes and hospitals. These people lose their friends in front of their eyes, then live to regret their actions for the rest of their lives. Don't become that person. Show your love often, because you never know when your last day will be… or your best friend's.

My mom's dad was in the hospital dying of lung cancer. I was about 14. I have trouble with hospitals and death. It was xmas day. We were going to stop by to visit him. I told my parents i couldn't handle it, so i stayed in the car. I never saw him again. That was more than 20 years ago, and i will always regret that.

backseatLover12

I was in a near-fatal car accident Paulonious, and almost bled to death during my initial surgery of fixing several fractures and inserting hardware in both femurs and an ulna bone. It was like living through my own funeral (except that I lived), because few showed up for me and I was in really rough shape. I am one in a family of 7, and only my sister showed up immediately, a brother showed up the next day. My own parents couldn't deal with my situation and didn't show up for a week, several friends did not show up over the course of 4 months living in the hospital because "they couldn't deal with it". Take a guess if these people are still in my life today. Yes, I have forgiven my parents, and other siblings, but it's impossible to forget. How someone can say that they can't deal with a difficult health situation, of someone else, while the real person hurting is stuck alone in a hospital or nursing home, is beyond me. I'll never understand, nor want to.

But I do forgive those who are young. My nephews came to visit me and they wouldn't leave the door, they wouldn't come over and talk to me. They were scared. That's natural. But as adults (fear cripples them too), to avoid difficult situations because of their own fears or merely just being focused on how they're feeling rather than empathizing with the patient… well...

backseatLover12

hedonist said:

backseatLover12 said:

I'm a hospice volunteer and I just came from seeing a cancer patient, whom just 2 weeks ago, when he was lucid and intelligent just 2 weeks ago telling me the cancer spread to his bloodstream, to almost actively dying when I saw him today, inaudible, barely able to move and on liquid morphine. This poor man is dying in front of me. And all I can think is how he must suffer. I can actually understand "Help me" at one point of him attempting to speak. I talk to his nurses as to how much time he has and they say about 2 days at most. I hope he doesn't suffer long and all I can do is ensure he's comfortable.

You know what else comes to mind? That 2 weeks ago when I saw him, he told me that when he called a "friend" and asked him to come visit him, he replied that he's too busy; has a lot going on in his life. My heart bleeds for him.

But...that "help me", it sounds terrible for him. Why should he have to suffer two more days? It must be an eternity for him.

That said, my father was in hospice for a short while before he died, and the genuineness of those who cared - CARED - for him are still with me. So, as someone who appreciates what you and others like you do...thank you. Seems like you have a good heart.

Thank you. The hospice patient is still alive btw.

HughFreakingDillon

backseatLover12 said:

I was in a near-fatal car accident Paulonious, and almost bled to death during my initial surgery of fixing several fractures and inserting hardware in both femurs and an ulna bone. It was like living through my own funeral (except that I lived), because few showed up for me and I was in really rough shape. I am one in a family of 7, and only my sister showed up immediately, a brother showed up the next day. My own parents couldn't deal with my situation and didn't show up for a week, several friends did not show up over the course of 4 months living in the hospital because "they couldn't deal with it". Take a guess if these people are still in my life today. Yes, I have forgiven my parents, and other siblings, but it's impossible to forget. How someone can say that they can't deal with a difficult health situation, of someone else, while the real person hurting is stuck alone in a hospital or nursing home, is beyond me. I'll never understand, nor want to.

But I do forgive those who are young. My nephews came to visit me and they wouldn't leave the door, they wouldn't come over and talk to me. They were scared. That's natural. But as adults (fear cripples them too), to avoid difficult situations because of their own fears or merely just being focused on how they're feeling rather than empathizing with the patient… well...

Yeah, i have never nor will ever do that again. I had actually realized it as soon as the rest of my family was in the elevator and gone, but it was too late, they were gone and i didnt know where in the hospital he was.

backseatLover12

You learned from your experience, and that's what we're here on Earth to do, right? Learn from our experiences and evolve.

1ThoughtKnown

About time! My Inlaws were going to travel to Europe if they ever wanted the drip.
When your standard of life has deteriorated to a point that you no longer want to live due to pain or lack of mobility or mental capacity, you should be allowed to leave this world in a humane way.
A living will is the way to ensure your wishes are recorded with sound mind and body. How is this different than the abortion issue? It is your body, and if you are unfortunate enough to get an affliction which makes life physically painful with no cure, or mentally impossible, the. You should be able to. It's humane to put the dog to sleep isn't it?

1ThoughtKnown

brianlux said:

Finally, some good news here.



Other than their insane practice of scraping the landscape for that dirty tar sand, Canada sure has it's shit together. Legal hemp crops and legalized doctor assisted suicide. Good show, Canada! " alt="" />

We do a lot of other stuff you wouldn't like: open pit coal mining, pulp mills, saw mills, natural gas drilling, building hydroelectric dams, fracking for condensate, open pit copper mining, digging for gypsum, salt mining, iron/ore mining, nuclear power plants, manufacturing industry of Ontario and Quebec, fish the ocean, fish the lakes, bury our garbage in landfills, use plastic bags at Safeway and Walmart, and on and on. All the same stuff the U.S. does.