Oregon doctor has means, but not desire to die yet

American Medical News ^ | Oct. 13, 2003. | Andis Robeznieks

[RJCogburn]

A terminally ill retired physician now has the needed prescription for physician-assisted suicide.

A decision from the U.S. Appellate Court on U.S. Attorney General's John Ashcroft's efforts to block Oregon's physician-assisted suicide law is expected soon, and observers check the 9th Circuit Court's Web site every day to see if there's any news.

One man in particular, Allison B. Willeford, MD, was especially interested, but he's not as concerned anymore. That's because the retired family physician and surgeon with terminal cancer recently obtained his lethal prescription of Nembutal.

"It was $320 for a $5 prescription, but I have it now, and they can't take it back," said Dr. Willeford, who resides at an assisted-living center in rural Molalla, Ore. "If the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals says it's illegal, it's illegal, but this one has been beat -- if you know what I'm saying."

Since Oregon became the only state to allow physician-assisted suicide in 1997, 129 people have used the law to hasten their deaths. George Eighmey, executive director of Compassion in Dying, said at least five of those were physicians, but Dr. Willeford is the first to go public.

"I would like to give this as much publicity as I can before I die," Dr. Willeford said. "It's a good law, and Oregon hasn't abused it. So I just wish we could get Washington off our backs."

Dr. Willeford has also joined the state's lawsuit against Ashcroft. Compassion in Dying Director of Communications Claire Simons said all of the suit's original nine patient plaintiffs have died.

Dr. Willeford celebrated his 79th birthday July 1, and despite having to undergo dialysis three times a week, he has put on a few pounds. "I still have a fairly good appetite, and that's my judge," he said. "When that goes away, I'm going down."

Still, it hasn't been easy. Dr. Willeford said he gets shooting pains in his chest and up his right flank. "It really bowls me over," he said, adding that he's doubled his pain medication intake. He also said that two of his brothers died of similar cancers, so he knows what lies ahead.

"I keep fearful of what I know can happen," Dr. Willeford said.

Despite his fears and his support of the law, Dr. Willeford said he may never take the Nembutal. "There are two reasons," he said. "One, I'm such a chicken; and two, it's so bitter I don't think I'd ever get it down. But I want to have it just in case."

[sarasota]

Suicide is suicide, whether it's assisted or not. One still has to suffer the afterlife consequences.

[The Electrician]

"It was $320 for a $5 prescription, but I have it now, and they can't take it back,"

Hmmm... Wonder whether it's so expensive because there will be no "refills"... (with apologies for the 'gallows humor')

[Support Free Republic]

Let's keep the Dem's on the run!
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[RJCogburn]

Suicide is suicide, whether it's assisted or not. One still has to suffer the afterlife consequences.

Quite true...it is between one and one's God. Not bewteen one and John Ashcroft.

[sunryse]

>Suicide is suicide, whether it's assisted or not. One >still has to suffer the afterlife consequences.

In your opinion anyway.

My mother died an ugly, horrible death from cancer and I said at the end, "Dr. Kovorkian doesn't seem like such a bad fella". Broke my heart to watch her, but she wanted to go naturally. I respected that decision, but I also would have respected her decision if she had chosen the other route. It was hell, that got worse, untill she died. Noone deserves that kind of death and I feel God would understand. Especially since the end result was the same.

[GrandMoM]

It was $320 for a $5 prescription

....what a shame, there are plenty of free plants that would do the same thing!

[GovernmentShrinker]

Often the end result is not the same. A few years ago, there was a story in USA Today, by someone whose elderly relative had been kept alive in a nursing home far past the point where she'd wanted to be let go. Her dying wish was that her sizeable savings would go to her grandchildren to put them through college, but that was taken away from her. She was kept alive long enough to see all her savings spent on medical care she didn't want (plus a lot of taxpayer funds after that), and to see her dream die.

[BlazingArizona]

Suicide is suicide, whether it's assisted or not. One still has to suffer the afterlife consequences.

So why does God need the assistance of John Ashcroft in this matter? Isn't He omnipotent enough for you?

[gcruse]

Suicide is suicide, whether it's assisted or not.
One still has to suffer the afterlife consequences.

Maybe so.  But confusing the Tenth Amendment with some Commandment or other isn't in the interests of anybody.

[sarasota]

God didn't direct Ashcroft. Ashcroft directed Ashcroft. God set this play in motion. Man sets up the rules and regs.

[sarasota]

Bottom line: each person has the right to choose to take his own life or not. That's all I meant to say but put a little spiritual spin on it in spite of myself.

[desertcry]

I see no difference between a man who has terminal cancer and a man nailed to the cross. They are both under extreme pain and suffering. Should the State command that the man be not allowed to end his suffering and force him to endure his pain for a few more days or months? Who benifits from all the suffering, certainly not the patient. I don't believe that God wants to torture the man before he takes him into his arms. I think the Almighty is compassionate.
Abortion on the other hand is evil, because the unborn victim had no say, or choice about his/her fate. The victim had no choice for his/her conception or termination.

[sarasota]

Didn't God allow Jesus to hang on the cross until he died?

[desertcry]

I thought it was a spear that shortened christ's agony on the cross was it not? I'm sure Jesus forgave, if not grateful to the roman soldier that did the compassionate act. Jesus died in a matter of a few hours instead of days on the cross.

[sarasota]

Still, it was man's act, not God's. One of the infidels, not a compassionate soul.