Jack Kervorkian

Paula · Post by **Paula** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:03 pm

Where is Jack Kervorkian? Is he alive? Some people want to be "put to sleep". How do you feel about assisted suicide?

koan · Post by **koan** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 7:57 pm

My grandfather lived in pain for most of his adult life. He had numerous hip replacement and, due to poor circulation, in his seventies watched his legs slowly disappear from amputations. We had a dog that was aging and close to the end of its years. Yes this is related. The day we took the dog to be put down my grandfather looked at the dog with such envy that I have been swayed to the side of assisted suicide. Why are we so kind to our pets and so cruel to our fellow humans?

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 8:11 pm

kevorkian is alive, in prison. we have problems with euthanasia because of myriad legal - sociological -religious - 'moral' factors. but as a former nurse, i will tell you it IS done. discreetly. without the publicity kevorkian invited. i took care of my very dear uncle for a long time, lived by his hospital bedside. he was the sweetest kindest gentlest of men. one day it was beyond unbearable. i went out to nurses station, spoke briefly to his physician, in carefully worded phrases...and 5 minutes later a dose of morphine sufficient to cease his respirations was administered. it was unspoken and understood by the dr. and myself as we looked in each others' eyes. and it was merciful. but it was only when there was no other hope left.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 8:52 pm

I worked in a hospital for 22 years.. I have a physician for a brother in law. Many of my friend are physicians. I work with Alzheimer's patients and families that suffer greatly..

This is as LADYCOP stated done discretely, with compassion, and with in the law.. Doctors are human beings, they are very concerned at watching their patients suffer.. We must alway keep our loved ones DIGNITY the focus. They have the right to a peaceful death..

i took care of my very dear uncle for a long time, lived by his hospital bedside. he was the sweetest kindest gentlest of men. one day it was beyond unbearable. i went out to nurses station, spoke briefly to his physician, in carefully worded phrases...and 5 minutes later a dose of morphine sufficient to cease his respirations was administered. it was unspoken and understood by the dr. and myself as we looked in each others' eyes. and it was merciful. but it was only when there was no other hope left.

A Karenina · Post by **A Karenina** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 8:10 am

Oregon is the only state that has an Assisted Suicide law. The federal government has been attacking it since we first voted on it. But so far, it stands.

In a nutshell, it allows the patient the choice to end things when they are ready, performed by a doctor who does not have a moral objection, and approved by a court of law TWICE (in order to prove there is no hope).

I'm all for it.

minks · Post by **minks** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 9:28 am

I am all for legitimate Assistied Suicide. I had to watch my ex-father in law suffer horrifically through 4 hellish months of cancer and i don't wish that on any living soul.

Paula · Post by **Paula** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 10:10 am

Karenia you are right in Oregon it is acceptable. Having a friend in Oregon her brother lives near me, he plans to go to Oregon if illness is an issue for him. Oregon will help you to end your life. Its good to know that....