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Death, a question of dignity

 

            
             Being given the right to choose to die with dignity, without suffering and pain, and with our family around us, has been a heated controversy; one that makes us rethink our morals, our religious beliefs, and to some, gives them a piece of mind. .
             In my own experience, I watched as my Grandmother suffered from throat cancer. Terminal, with a few months left. She couldn't eat or swallow, she had lost so much weight that she had to safety pin her pants together so that they wouldn't fall off. She survived only because of the feeding tube that hung out of her belly, and the pain medication that was administered through another tube that was inserted in her chest. Surviving, but not living, this was no life to her. She was too weak to do much of anything, and right before she died, she had developed a high fever and it took away what was left of her mind. She didn't know anybody, or where she was. And she talked to people that we couldn't see. When she found out that she was terminal, 4 months prior, she wished that she could have found Dr. Kavorkian so that she could end her life with some sort of dignity. Watching her go through so much pain and agony was the most heartbreaking thing I have ever experienced. I too, wished for Dr. Kavorkian. And that very same year, a few months later, Oregon put up for vote to the people, the "Physician Suicide Act". And being an Oregonian, I voted for it.
             Cancer, Aids, Lou Gehregs Disease. These are just a few of several terminally ill diseases where someone who has been diagnosed might seek out "Physician Assisted Suicide". It started with Dr. Kavorkian, a Pathologist in the state of Michigan. He built a machine to help those who asked for help in ending their lives. It wasn't for just anyone, but for those who were suffering from a terminal illness and wanted to leave this world with some dignity left. He helped many suffering people find peace in their death before he was put on trial as a criminal and charged with murder in the 2nd degree.


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