Kevorkian documentary on HBO

[apretty]

Originally Posted by Butterbean

He's such an odd man. Originally, I supported his imprisonment and believed he should spend the rest of his life in prison. His behavior struck me as vulgar.

...
I think I agree with him on his philosophical standings...but how he goes about it is just awful.

.

i'm curious as to why you (originally) supported his imprisonment? how was his behavior vulgar? what behavior? his work?

what about 'how he goes about' ending someone's life is awful?

_

i have seen the documentary, i never thought that his helping someone end their pain should be up to anyone except that individual (and if the patient isn't in a position to decide--that's when i would think others need to be involved.)

i really don't get how much (all?) of health care, for the individual, is the concern of government agencies and insurance companies: a person's wishes often come last.

last, i happen to think that good doctors are a little 'odd' --they're certainly not charming and maybe not even mannerly, but that doesn't take away from them being good at 'doctoring'.

[Corkey]

My mother had cancer, metastasized. Before she lost consciousness she asked my father to take his glock and kill her. I think that doctor supervised end of life decisions should be left to the patient. My father was faced with a horrible situation, he should never have been put in. My mother sadly passed less than a week later as she was DNR. He cried for days afterward, they had been married 45 years, just. Dr. Kavorkjan is a Doctor I wish my mother could have seen. I believe he is doing his best to uphold his Hippocratic oath.

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by popcorninthesofa

The deal with this guy being in prison is that relatives of people were complaining that he was also "putting to sleep' folks who were mentally ill, suicidal, and depressed, and not only those who were physically ill.

So, only those who are physically ill should be allowed to determine how they do or do not live their lives?

[Butterbean]

Apretty, I've sat with and held the hand of 3 immediate family member as they have died. And, then there's a few I hardly knew...

"Dying with dignity" for any of my family members would not include a "death machine" while being filmed and aired on 60 minutes. Then, there's that part about the organ removal I've only heard of and prefer not to see.

So..I get the aspect of people having control over their own lives and bodies and not expecting them to endure untold suffering, and agree with that.

I believe he could have handled it with more dignity, more compassion and far less politically and "out there."

Should he have been imprisoned for that? I don't think so anymore. Not after some of the things I've witnessed since my original opinion.

Originally Posted by apretty

i'm curious as to why you (originally) supported his imprisonment? how was his behavior vulgar? what behavior? his work?

what about 'how he goes about' ending someone's life is awful?

_

i have seen the documentary, i never thought that his helping someone end their pain should be up to anyone except that individual (and if the patient isn't in a position to decide--that's when i would think others need to be involved.)

i really don't get how much (all?) of health care, for the individual, is the concern of government agencies and insurance companies: a person's wishes often come last.

last, i happen to think that good doctors are a little 'odd' --they're certainly not charming and maybe not even mannerly, but that doesn't take away from them being good at 'doctoring'.

[DamonK]

So far, in the last 11 months, I've watched at least 10 people die horrible, lingering deaths.

I've had still others ask me for death.

Just last week, I was told "X" had an hour. "X" lingered for almost 20 hours later, slowly bleeding out.

If the situation is severe enough, such as "X"'s situation, assisted suicide should be an option. I think there should be documentation supporting this decision, and at least one trusted guardian to ensure the decision is carried out.

Like others, I can't help them with death. I'm simply a CNA. But at the end, they don't know that. They know I'm the guy that comes in fairly often and does all I can to make them comfortable.

What they don't know is I usually end up leaving feeling sick, knowing their level of suffering, and knowing no one can do anything to speed up the process.

I know I wouldn't want to live 30 years as a vegetable.

I've someone who is one of my emergency contacts. I don't doubt that if he could find a way to carry out my wishes, if need be, he'd do it.

[Scota_Parisi]

Having been there for the passing of several family members, I can say that suffering shouldn't even be necessary in our world today. But there are still those out there that feel they have the right to dictate to others every small detail of living. How many of us here on BFP have heard that we are going to hell just because we have embraced our sexuality? My Mom loves me but I'm going to hell she says.

With that in mind, you have the same group mindset that throws up a wall when this issue comes up. They want to toss up every religious, biblical and ethical wall to stop what they deem as a very evil thing.

I haven't seen the documentary. Sometimes, societal views and changes come about because of those people that are willing to share their stories no matter how sad or bitter. I have no doubt in my heart and soul that a human being should not suffer until the sad and often very extremely painful bitter end.

[SuperFemme]

i am terminally ill.
people that love me will do what i've requested ahead of time.
because the doctors won't, and the vet won't take me.

[Rook]

My relatives have a sense of hypervigilance towards me, if I make an appointment with a Lawyer they wanna be present, for any changes I make.
I've already told them, if I really wanted to do any life related changes, they wouldn't even know I had an appointment, because I know for a fact they will All try to throw a monkey wrench into any Plans made...

All of 'em have said if I loved them, I wouldn't allow DNR or euthanasia...
My response is usually 'it's precisely because I love u I'd do it, what about my suffering, my dignity? Endless days and night with u holding vigil, cleaning me, feeding me...and me unable to do or say anything about it?"
What I get back is "I'll do it all with Love"..

I honestly believe Jack Kevorkian is doing a wonderful deed in Bringing peace of Mind to the relatives and those who specifically request "Aid"...
However, I always stipulate..If I am to allow Euthanasia, if I am in such great Pain & Misery, there will be No cameras, no reporter, no nothing, just those who won't interfere & do Care/Love, in addition to the Doctor making sure everything goes smooth and right.

In some states there's a Lot of hoops to jump before euthanasia is Legit, but it's there.
I cherish my Life, true..
But, when my belov'd pets were suffering Greatly beyond the capacity of money for "cures", I let them go with a whisper of "You're very lucky, I do this with Love..."
It hurts for awhile, but I know they're at peace.
Why can't Humans be allowed the same choice?

[AtLast]

This is a very complex issue. I aplaud Kervorkian for setting the stage, yet, I want humane, sane and respectfull legislation for personal end of life decisions. Kervorkian's did not have some choices here that I bet he would have taken. However, some of his actions do bother me. But NOT a person's right to their own control over end of life decisions.

I have watched and been involved with my father, mother, one sister, my brother, a partner and more than a few friends die very difficult deaths. Most of these did not have to be as horrible as they were. Most of these did, indeed have straight forward legal directives. Yet, their wishes became a nightmare within the healthcare legal systems. When you are losing someone you love, dealing with this is just not OK. I now know that for my wishes to actually be carried out, it will have to be outside of these systems. This just isn't right! And pulling a plug is nothing like making decisions like with holding fluids or nourishment or antibiotics or medications that are in fact keeping the heart beating... not even close. And these are the types of things that go on far more often than taking someone off of life support. That is just not how it is. Doing some of these does indeed make dying more difficult at times (there is pain with dehydration at that level for example as there can be with starvation). A plug pull gives peace within moments and usually the person has no awareness.

It is time we deal with this in a manner that allows people control in death & dying when faced with terminal illness. I have deep spiritual feelings, yet believe that it is one's spirit or soul that gives them direction with their wishes and decision here. And a diety hasn't a thing to do with this even if the person believes in such things. These wishes need to be honored.

[fiercegrrl]

i am currently working on my advanced directive, DNR orders and i am not telling my family about it until all of the things i want are legally in place. it is my body and my life- i don't want their input on how i want the end to be.

i have a friend who has told me that if i reach a point where i want it all to be done that she will help. that she will tuck me into bed and kiss me goodnight and help me however i may ask of her. i think that it is amazing the capacity of love she is showing me.

but i have not seen the kevorkian documentary. i'm not sure i can. i watched the episode recently of grey's anatomy where a patient for assisted suicide and i just couldn't stop crying.