They sure made it sound beautiful that is for sure. It sure made it easy on the family because they were able to say goodbye and not have any regrets (last fight, etc). What I find strange is that if she has six months left to live, why so early??? Couldn’t she wait until after Christmas at least. I mean I don’t agree with this, but if people are going to do it than at least plan better. lol.
It doesn’t sound beautiful, it sounds gruesome. Having lost my mother in June after she battled a terminal illness for nearly two years I find this disgusting.
I’d like to address your question of why she didn’t wait longer, before taking her own life.
The article said that she was already having painful swallowing, and she was afraid that if she waited any longer, she would not be able to swallow the meds. I guess they don’t allow the drug to be given by IV.
I think the problem is the last part of that 6 months is not much living. She knew she was getting close to the point where she had no control and couldn’t do anything. Nature would have to take its course in a few more weeks.
My mother was diagnosed with inoperable and terminal cancer last December. And it hasn’t been easy on the family.
There was never a time when we brought up old business to sort through, we haven’t gone back over each other’s failings. Without even saying it aloud, each of us determined from the very beginning that there wouldn’t be any “last fights”.
There is no regret, because each of us has had to accept the truth from the very first day.
When my mother told me she wouldn’t go through further chemo or radiation, part of her reasoning was because the radiation had permanently damaged her esophagus and to continue would only cause more damage. She worried that she wouldn’t be able to swallow saliva, let alone food.
She also knew that continued treatment would only prolong her suffering for three months. She is a frail and weak woman, and her body cannot withstand more treaments. Her doctors said they would do the treatments if she wanted, but they accepted her decision not to. They know that nothing can stop the cancer and she will die a cancer patient.
So, when my mother told me that she was ready to stop treatments, I said the only thing I knew to say. I told her that I hoped she knew how much I love her.
In the end stages of cancer, there is little to do or say. You can be there to care for the patient and you can talk of love and peace. But time is running out.
Ask me how quickly the past ten months have gone. Too fast. And I wish there was more time. But, there is nothing I can do to change it.
I will honor my mother’s wishes. And I will let her die on her own terms, surrounded by those who love her.
My life will never be the same when she’s gone. It doesn’t matter what happens today. The door is closing rapidly.