I'm sure we all have terribly sad tales to tell, but I dont believe that anyone thinks its right to hang on to folk who are elderly and terminal, just to keep a pulse. Those who do need to explain to why, without the "life is precious and must be preserved" mantra!

It angers me

Jo xxx

Could not agree more. While I am only 54 and healthy, I have already discussed this with my son. Never too soon to have an understanding.

I can sort of understand a Doctor - preservation of life is what they do - it must be difficult to let go sometimes. But for religious reasons... don't impose your weird beliefs on the rest of us.

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Harold Shipman, although when I checked it was 2000 when he was convicted of murdering 15 of his patients.
Until that happened I believe it was not so unusual for patients to be given 'extra' morphine in their last hours. Now Drs are so scared of families suing them they just daren't do it.

I agree with Jo, I just hope when my turn comes society will have come up with something more humane. Judging by surveys carried out its what most people want, but the god botherers are a (too) powerful lobby.

Some places allow assisted suicide. Such as where I live.

He was a lone wolf doing it on his own and in secret. Didn't he also benefit from one of his victims? Big difference between what he did and doing it in consultation with families or, if no family, presumably in consultation with colleagues.

I'm not imposing "my weird beliefs" on anyone. I'm simply saying it should be a personal choice and that I personally dont understand the churches side of the argument....... and my beliefs arent weird, they're how me, myself and I feel!

Jo xxx

I didn't mean you!!

I would also say that when my father in law, who had heart disease, breathing problems, dementia, double incontinence, liver failure.... finally had to go into a home because I could no longer look after him at our home (which I did for a year or so after his wife died), my niece refused to go and visit him - she said she wanted to remember her grandpa as the big strong hero in her life and not some crumpled up, dribbling old man who didnt know who she was. His doctor used to be triumphant when he managed to chase away his latest chest infection and tell us "isnt it wonderful, he's going to have a few more weeks...." Sadly, FIL didnt know and the family didnt want this. I know my father in law did not want some teenage care assistant doing a weekend job wiping his butt, emptying his cathetar bag, bathing him, feeding him, changing his clothing and then wacking the TV on keep him amused - he survived the St Nazaire landings FFS!. I doubt there are many of us who look forward to the day when we have to undergo this routine



Jo xxx

sorry, you quoted me

Jo xxx

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...-patients.html

jo xxx

Mea culpa. Confusion reigns

lol - I'm so used to you disagreeing with me ........

Jo xxxx

In Andalucia the Law of Dignified Death was passed in 2010, but didn't get passed in the rest of the country because the party now in power doesn't support it.

It means that, when there is absolutely no possibility of recovery, it is no longer illegal to withdraw treatment which is keeping someone alive artificially, if that is what the patient and/or family want.

Not quite the same as euthanasia, and there are lots of safeguards built in.

As for the church's role, most of the hospice care in Spain is provided by nuns, who do their best to alleviate suffering on a practical level. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't keep someone alive at all costs.

Mum was put on an auto morphine injector which immediately put her in a coma. The doctor said death is usually within 24 to 48 hrs...she lasted 7 days.