A Little Respect

The right to assisted death.

Death

A Yin

To Life's

Yang.

And yet

For too many people

Its a stage of life

Which they fear.

As if

To die

Is a horrible ordeal

To be avoided

At all possible cost.

When

In reality

Death is

The ultimate healer

Ending the pain

Modern medicine

Only masks.

Why should you

Deny my right

To end my suffering

In a dignified manner?

Or does my suffering

Means nothing

To you?

Except

To delay

The inedible

From happening

My death. 

Author's Note

For almost 14 years, I watched my dad struggle with severe angina pain, which the doctors could only masked, with a morphine drip, when admitted to a hospital. Myself, if I was to find myself, facing a similar situation, I want the right to choice my moment of death, not someone, sitting behind a desk, pushing paper, who knows nothing of my experiences.

Reviews

[Rene Salinas]

Great way to express thoughts Therisa. A cycle as you have mentioned which admitedly we don't know what it stands for, it could be a threshold for something new, it could be the door to something different yet as you have so clearly pointed, why does ignorance reign at makes it seem as if:

" We must save your life by all means possible even if it reduces dignity, and freedom, we must because...."

Of course there is a legal side to this undoubtedly, but if death was to come why can't it be met with respect rather than with reactionary panic, which is the way it seems when medicine goes out fo its way to perform the most incredibily difficult procedures just to prolong the agony.

Great topic, very fluid writing.

Thank You.

[therisa]

Thank you, Rene. We will have to wait and see, what solution, the legal and medical communities can reach on this matter.

[Lydia Shutter]

I agree with you. I have watched too many loved ones suffer as they wish for death. They cry out for it....yet it is not possible to give them this last wish. Allowing people to die with dignity is permitted in some countries. Perhaps someday it will be in the U.S.A. as well. You have expressed your views clearly, Therisa. Lydi**

[therisa]

Thank you, Lydia. Last year, the province of Quebec passed a right to assisted death legislation, which allow Quebec doctors to help end a life. It will be interesting to see, how the federal government reacts to this, as it become law, this year.

[ANTO]

A heart wrenching tale and a fine way to begin the debate - even if its only with ourselves - about the choice that alludes so many - I too would like to choose,
thanks for posting Therisa
:)

[therisa]

Your welcome, Anto. One day, this debate will become moot, as our decisions will have paramount authority over the medical treatment, we receive.

[ANTO]

Well the current gene therapy research will further advance the average age of demise but it looks increasingly like the brain is refusing - pehaps the brain may well say - STOP 80-100 years is enough 150 years is TOO MUCH

[therisa]

Myself, I don't to live, a long life, if it means, I live it, in a vegetative stage. Rather, have a short but full live, instead of, a long and dull one.

[ANTO]

A dull life though is a million miles away from a vegetative state Therisa but I definitely know where you are coming from. Its still our right to choose anyway - its our body - the Catholic church downgraded suicide from a mortal sin banning entry to heaven (by incurring excommunication) because it became widespread but under the auspices of modern canon.
If I can get a buzz from talking to someone then if thats all I am able to do it will be enough for me to delay such action - like mr Hawking I spose

[therisa]

Personally, death is a very intimate stage of our lives, needs to be treated with dignity and respect, which is denied to us, by religion and other outside inputs. Something, which we have lost, over the centuries. Whom am I, to deny a stage 4 cancer suffer, the right to a peaceful end to their life. Guess, I have seen too much suffering in my life, to alone someone, to be left lingering, in that stage.

[ANTO]

I had to make the choice to end the life of a canine friend whom I loved like a child/friend/companion. It was the hardest thing Ive ever done in my life to hand him to a vet for that injection. And yet I couldnt do the same for my grandparents - who died lingering horrible deaths - it isnt right
God Bless you Therisa

[therisa]

Anto, on November 14, 1998, I helped to make the decision, to end my dad's life, by removing all life-support equipment from him. He was diagnosed as brain dead, couldn't see his body left to linger, in this stage. He survived for 36 hours, before his last breath was taken, and pronounced dead, November 15, 1998. It's not an easy decision to make, but one, I would do again, if needed be. Myself, I would have a hard time, to give an injection to myself, or my three little ones, should the need arise. Have a huge fear of needles.

[ANTO]

Tears here - Im there with you Therisa - it was for the best and Im sure he's proud of you.
read moreTears here - Im there with you Therisa - it was for the best and Im sure he's proud of you.

but you dont have to share that out here Therisa - but Im honoured that you chose to share it with me - thank you - Im humbled
Bless

[ANTO]

now the WC widget choose to play up !

I said Im honoured you shared that with me

[therisa]

Anto, there is one, you will learn reading my posts, I try to keep things honest and true, about my life and what I choose to share.

[ANTO]

As I said - I feel honoured and humbled and lucky to have met you. thank you T
:)

[therisa]

Your welcome, Anto.

[Lizardo]

We really suffer to much sometimes and wonder when in the world is the madness going to stop
As if everything is crumbling down to pieces...
An excellent poem

[therisa]

Thank you, Lizardo.

[Matching Socks]

Indeed therisa, I can't argue with you. Sometimes the suffering is too much. Why live out your final days like this. It's such a sensitive topic but I admire your courage to never shy away from the controversial. You bring some good arguments.

[therisa]

Thank you, Ana. I was once told, a poet/bard's role, is to challenge, the status quo, in forcing people, to look at subject matters, they deemed too taboo, to think about.

[ANTO]

I am being enlightened - :)))