I have been siting on a draft of this for some time, reluctant to post it. I have been worried that some of my readers might find it offensive, and that others might respond and take the blog in a direction that is not my intent. But upon reflection, I realize that we are all mature readers (some literally, some figuratively, some both), and that as we eld there are awkward subjects that we do need to talk about.
One of our commenters touched on a subject that we have not yet addressed - "end of life" planning, or rather, "
ending of life" planning. We have not yet gotten to the subject of managing hospice care and palliative care at the end of life when there is ostensibly no one to do the managing for us. I am still not sure how to approach that subject. How do we make sure our wishes are carried out at the end? We will need some help figuring that one out. Any ideas would be appreciated.
But what if we get to the point, or anticipate at some time getting to the point, or want to plan on what to do if and when we are at the point of knowing, that to go on is pointless. That pain, isolation, hardship and embarrassment for ourselves and our loved ones are are all that is left for as long as we continue to breathe, and that it is time to call it quits?
Assisted-suicide is legal in several jurisdictions, including Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland and three American states (Oregon, Washington, and Montana). There are a number of links to Hemlock Societies (you remember hemlock, the poison of choice for Socrates) and other sites on the internet that may or may not be useful if one wants to plan on taking advantage of assistance, or not being able to take advantage of assistance, when the time has come.
But the thought of this poses a number of dilemas: was Hemingway being a Man by ending it when he knew there was nothing left for him, or was he being incredibly rude and selfish by making a dramatic mess at the front door. Does anyone have a right to make what seems such a personal decision when it affects so many others. What happens when we are diagnosed with early stage ALS and are facing a rapid, steep and discomforting decline? If we find the thought abhorrent now, will we think differently then?
I am young enough and healthy enough that I have not felt compelled to give it much thought. Thus I do not plan to do much research on this subject for this blog at this time - my focus is on LIVING with dignity, and not DYING with dignity. But it would be interesting to hear what others think. Should we discuss it here? Is dying a right over which we should be able to exercise control, or is it a privilege granted us by Nature at its/her/his convenience?
Michael
