Dying with dignity
By foxyfire33
@foxyfire33 (10005)
United States
February 11, 2007 9:42am CST
Do you think people with terminal illnesses should have the right to decide how and when the die? My grandmother was diagnosed with cancer after several years of suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia. The cancer itself was technically treatable however at her age and because of her other health issues, treatment was not an option. Her body wasn't strong enough to handle surgery or any chemo/radiation treatments and it was felt that they would kill her anyway. She lived for almost 16 weeks after the initial diagnosis instead of the "maybe a month at the most" her doctors originally expected. Despite round the clock hospice care and morphine, she died in great pain two days before her 90th birthday. It seems to me there is a point when people should be able to decide in favor of death over suffering. When we have a sick pet, we are allowed to "put them to sleep" because it's more humane than allowing them to suffer. Wouldn't it be even more human to have that same courtesy for our loved ones? Now obviously I don't mean killing someone because they're old and the family doesn't want to be bothered with them. I'm talking about people that are terminally ill and suffering in pain. Should it be allowed then? And in the cases where the person is suffering from severe dementia as well as the illness, who should be able to make the decision for them?
1 person likes this
1 response
@mayenskie (1307)
• Philippines
11 Feb 07
It feels so sad to hear about that. In my opinion, since your grandmother is not in a perfect state of mind and is unable to decide for herself, the family member is next in line in deciding about her welfare. There are protocols to follow in different hospitals but I think, the patient and his significant others have the right to his/her own care. The health team should allow the patient to die with dignity as it is stated as one of their functions and responsibilities. It may sound confusing at times because health care providers are supposed to keep their patient alive the best that they can do. Issues like this is still a dilemma in the part of the health care providers. It has something to do in the issue on bioethics and somewhat unresolved.


