Death with Dignity

This morning, I came across an article that sparked some interest. Cancer is a huge part of the death statistics in this world. It's a scary illness that I'm sure everyone hopes and prays to not have to experience through a family member, or even themselves. Your life can completely change in the few seconds it takes your physician to lay out the news to you. It's never a pleasant time to hear those devastating words that your beautiful life will come to an end. We all know that it will come to an end, eventually, one day. Maybe of old age. But no one ever wants their life to be cut short abruptly.
 
That must be how Brittany Maynard felt when she got the news last spring when her doctor told her that she had about 6 months to live after being diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma. Glioblastoma are tumors in the brain that arise from astrocytes which act as the "glue" and create the supportive tissue of the brain. These types of tumors are found to be most malignant, aggressive, and can spread to other areas of the brain rather quickly. Due to it's rapid growth,  the illness will make its face known causing an increase pressure in the brain which will then, in turn, cause increased headaches, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, single sided weakness, memory/speech difficulties, and visual changes. From what I've read, death can occur anywhere from 14 months to an occassional 5 years of life. It's no wonder that Brittany Maynard may have decided to decline measures of treatment and decided she didn't want to fight the "beat the cancer" fight! Her life became well known and controversial due to her views on the right- to -die movement. If anyone read up on this story, you will know that she ended her own life this past Saturday at her home. She was 29.

" Goodbye to all my dear friends and family that I love. Today is the day I have chosen to pass away with dignity in the face of my terminal illness, this terrible brain cancer that has taken so much from me-- but would have taken so much more, The world is a beautiful place, travel has been my greates teacher, my close friends and folks are the greatest givers. I even have a ring of support around my bed as I type-- Goodbye world. Spread good energy. Pay it forward!"

This is her last post she wrote on facebook before she took barbituates her doctor gave her to end her life. She and her husband had recently moved to Oregon under the Death with Dignity Act to be able  to end her own life when she felt it was the right time to end all suffering before it got to be too much to bear.

This story intruged my interest since the month of November so happens to be Cancer Awareness (typically for lung and stomach cancers), and the fact that it is such a touching story that has anyone scratching their heads and thinking, what would I have done in Brittany Maynards shoes? Her path was on the way to an agonizing death. A completely horrific thought to say the least. In her mind, gaining control over the situation and deciding to end her life would have been a way to calm all terrifying thoughts of the way she'd die. She was able to live her ending days to enjoy her life with her loved ones by doing everything she wanted to do before her death. In her last weeks of life, her health began deteriorating to where she experienced 2 very violent seizures. When you read about her thoughts and moments leading up to her death, you can't help but hold back the tears when you picture someone suffering so much.

Many will say that ending your own life, with or without the Death with Dignity Act is still considered suicide. But what do you think? If someone was doomed to die a horrible agonizing death, would you make them suffer through it just because you feel suicide is wrong? Or do you rid them free of the pain and suffering to let them escape beforehand? Is dying by illness considered undignified? If you believe in God, would HE approve of someone making this decision on their own?

I for one, would have no clue what I would or would not do in this situation regardless of my beliefs, opinions, and feelings on it. So many people think they know what they would do, but just as Brittany Maynard stated, unless you are suffering of a terminal illness, you really don't know how a person with one must feel both physically and emotionally.  Her views, her story, and her life was shared to us because she wanted to have a voice for all those people out there in her same position. She wanted to get the word out on the choice of being able to choose when and how she wanted to exit this life. Its a strong legacy to leave behind. It's a story that has penetrated my heart, the heart of her loved ones,  and everyone who may have listened to her story.