Teske had Huntington’s, an incurable genetic disease that combines aspects of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia. She feared that, if she did not act now, she will end her days in an institution with strangers pushing mush into her mouth and hosing her down after she defecates.
So, Teske stopped eating and drinking. Around noon on day 12 of her fast, Teske died peacefully, with none of the delirium or agitation that some watchers had anticipated.
People are so misinformed about appetite and thirst at end of life. Dehydration is very peaceful, and people stop eating because they aren't hungry.
ReplyDeleteCertainly, VSED is the solution to a truly autonomous decision to shorten one's life.
ReplyDeleteWhy, then, do these well funded groups PUSH legalized Assisted Suicide with a physician's LETHAL prescription to the Legislatures?
Actually, the majority of those who die on hospice stop eating and drinking toward the end because they aren't hungry. This, of course, contributes to their death as their systems close down.
Certainly, VSED is the solution to a truly autonomous decision to shorten one's life.
ReplyDeleteWhy, then, do these well funded groups PUSH legalized Assisted Suicide with a physician's LETHAL prescription to the Legislatures?
Actually, the majority of those who die on hospice stop eating and drinking toward the end because they aren't hungry. This, of course, contributes to their death as their systems close down.
Certainly, VSED is the solution to a truly autonomous decision to shorten one's life.
ReplyDeleteWhy, then, do these well funded groups PUSH legalized Assisted Suicide with a physician's LETHAL prescription to the Legislatures?
Actually, the majority of those who die on hospice stop eating and drinking toward the end because they aren't hungry. This, of course, contributes to their death as their systems close down.
Carol, if one has a dementing/wasting/painful illness, particularly something like ALS or Huntingtons, there can be great comfort in knowing that one can end it before all cognition and ability are lost.
ReplyDeleteIf I am diagnosed with dementia I'm going to Switzerland.
I must admit I don't understand going to a faraway place to die in unfamiliar circumstances when there are peaceful and painless alternatives right here at home.
ReplyDelete