I'll be visiting there often. And not one mention of the orange headed one! BONUS!!

I know of a couple,married over 50 years,had much success thruout their lives that chose the medically assisted way to pass on together....this was just a month ago,and surprisingly enough,in the little town in the county that I live in.

They were both in substantially failing health, saw the end approaching not too far off, and, being deeply in love, chose to make their departure together. The family was all there with them and were very pleased, despite their sadness, with the way that the event went.

They lay side by side, held hands and smiled at each other as the drugs took effect.

The lady with the disability had had a spine that didn't work from birth or early childhood, so had been in a wheelchair almost all of her life.

She, who had carried on a continuing effort for better understanding and support for people coping with disability, had worked at the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) and was a colleague of the presenter for a time. She felt it not appropriate to artificially end one's life.

I have a measure of regard for and understanding of each side of the issue.

ole joyful

In January, I had my first-of-the-year visits with my primary provider. He wanted me to complete a form about DNR. I said yes - Do Not Resuscitate. He was aghast. But he completed the form. I saw him again last month and he asked if I had changed my mind. Nope! And he raised his eyebrows. Evidently, there are not that many people in their early 70s who want to have things that way. My health is good (not great) and I don't anticipate any problems - however, one never knows.

There's been a big story in the news here about a 104 yo man who has just flown to Switzerland for a medically assisted death. He had been in OK health up to the last year but had become rather feeble in the past year, not being able to do the activities he had enjoyed. He said he was not enjoying life at all and felt he had lived too long. I thought it terribly sad that he was not enjoying the love of his family enough to want to keep going.

DH and I laughlingly tell people that our plan is to go on a long sightseeing tour of our favorite places and then drive off the Grand Canyon. No, this isn't a laughing matter, but we would need a Greyhound bus to accommodate all that say they would like to join us. I do believe there should be an option to end life for those that are done with living. My sister is one of those. I do understand her wishes. Her daily struggles are heartbreaking to me and I know that in a few years I will be in the same place she is.

If I'm ever in a bad way, I'll be moving to Oregon or some other state with legal assisted suicide. Hopefully there will be more soon.

I fully support legally assisted suicide.

Vaccines, along with greater and more in-depth knowledge of a multitude of healthcare issues, have enabled great numbers to survive who might have succumbed at an earlier age, in earlier generations, not only in developed societies, but to an extent in less developed ones, as well.

The advances in medical knowledge and capability in just the most recent generation have been so huge that medical practitioners of just a generation ago would be flabbergasted were they able to come back and review them.

While a much larger percentage of the population is living to an advanced age than in earlier times, decrepitude comes to inhabit many of our lives eventually, and often grows until it causes such restriction in our physical, medical or emotional capability that life becomes almost unbearable.

Many feel that, having been so generously endowed with advantages earlier in life, now when we become almost totally incapable, or facing imminent certain death, whether with major pain or lacking it, that we should have an option available of being able to choose an earlier than normal departure from this life.

With the long-term training with which many medical people have been imbued has been to do no harm, and to make every effort to prolong life and advance it, they feel that to assist people in their desire to end their lives is impossible.

Others feel that, taking all of the issues with which their patient has to deal into account, they can respect that patient's right to choose such an accelerated time of death, rather than undergo such restrictions, challenges and, often, major pain that would be inevitable prior to a normal, often imminent and certain, natural death. And their self-discussion has given them permission to assist in bringing that patient's desires to fruition, in parts of the world where such action has become legally permissible.

If/when my quality of life becomes reduced to almost zero, and I can see no possibility of improvement, with very probable death in the usual fashion not far down life's path ahead, I hope that I can find such a medical practitioner ... medically assisted individual choice of death being legal in my area.

ole joyfuelled ... still

I don't know at what age I would sign a DNR. Maybe if I were very very ill and over 90. Yes, to err on the side of being helpful by being an organ donor seems to be very kind. But who wants to do it? Scientific American (I believe, anyway a reputable journal it was) featured the topic several years ago and the scientists' frank discussions about what constitutes death and how eager some were to grab those valuable organs, brought out my skepticism. Any DNR that I might sign would describe the acceptable situation in very specific terms -- and at that moment noone is thinking about details, just DNR, "yes" or "no"?

If your state supports the Five Wishes Directive, I think it is a thoughtful way to express your desires as opposed to an undifferentiated DNR. Even if your state does not support it, you might find it a nice template for creating a living will or health care directive and as a framework for discussing your wishes with whomever might be making health care decisions for you if you cannot make them for yourself.

https://www.agingwithdignity.org/five-wishes

This isn't a substitute for the proper estate planning documents many people should have. Medical directives, powers of attorney, etc., are included under the umbrella of what's normally done when Living Trusts and/or Wills are prepared.

When you read in the news about a crazy woman who has built an ejecto wheelchair and driven it to the edge of Gunnisonon black canyon and pushed the button you’ll know I’m gone. Grand Canyon is closer but no sheer 2000 foot sheer cliffs. My doc and I had a good laugh yesterday about my plan but my point was made.

Where assisted suicide is permitted, many more people obtain the medications than use them. IMO it's because they want to be the person in control of this very personal decision.

You better not be 'in care' anywhere if you expect to be accomplish this. You better still be physically capable of the movement required and know the timing.

At least once or twice a month I see a death notice for a retired MD who has died "suddenly" (journalism code for suicide).

I signed a DNR, after I divorced. My ex, wouldn't agree prior...

You remind me, I changed primary care physician and I need to give the new one a copy. Both my daughters and my best friend have a copy.

Moni

Does the person wear a medical alert with DNR engraved on it, and carry a card in their wallet, so an EMT will know they are not supposed to attempt to resuscitate them?

I guess that's a choice. For most, treatment by emergency personnel shouldn't be considered a problem and only an interim measure. Family members when notified can provide whatever specific instructions have been documented.

I have thought about the implications for the personnel who are expected to "assist" the suicide. There are some who have no problem with it, some who even make it their life's work, but I would not want to be asked to play a role. I've encountered some folks who want it, but don't want to take the action themselves. I'm not comfortable with asking another, MD or not, to take on that emotional burden, even if they express no qualms about it. If the time comes for me, I will find a way that doesn't involve someone else in any way.

I have a detailed addendum to my medical POA and living will explaining when or when not to resuscitate/use life support, and institute comfort care only....when I run races I write on my bib to limit CPR.

I believe you need to stipulate *no hydration* in that comfort care. A body can live a long time as long as it is hydrated.

Thank you for all of your comments: I am reading them with interest.

ole joyful - still