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To: sinkspur
What medication did your father have to keep him comfortable? I am sure that he had some sort of opiate to lessen his discomfort.

In 1993, my father died of dehydration as a result of laryngeal cancer. He so badly wanted a feeding tube to be put in but his doctor said the risks to his life were too great for him to undergo the procedure. As his illness progressed, I watched him try to drink water only to have it spew out of his nose as the tumor was too large for anything to pass through to his stomach. I watched him cry unable to produce tears and unable to make a sound due to his laryngectomy. His skin literally peeled from his body. His lips cracked. His tongue swelled to the point that he could barely open his mouth. Using sublingual morphine tablets became impossible for him and he was assaulted with pain from his cancer and his lack of nutriton and hydration. The last two weeks of my father's life were hell on earth for him. Dehydration is not a pleasant way to die. I have video and photo evidence of each physical symptom I have described.

Was my father going to die regardless? Most likely, yes. But it sure would have been a better, more dignified death had he been able to receive the comfort of nutrition and hydration.

150 posted on 03/26/2005 6:05:48 AM PST by PleaseNoMore
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To: PleaseNoMore
What medication did your father have to keep him comfortable? I am sure that he had some sort of opiate to lessen his discomfort.

Nothing. He refused everything.

153 posted on 03/26/2005 6:07:01 AM PST by sinkspur ("Preach the gospel. If necessary, use words.")
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To: PleaseNoMore

I am so sorry that your father had to endure that at the end of his life. It broke my heart to read your story. I am so sorry.


202 posted on 03/26/2005 6:33:50 AM PST by arizonarachel
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