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To: Torie
Do you have a problem with the legislature passing a law that the husband's instructions for public policy reasons sufficient to them give the circumstances should not be followed?

This is a really good question and is in fact the reason I have spent so much time tonight responding to these posts.

Let me say it clearly, YES, I do have a problem with that. Because of my personal experience.

As I mentioned above, 18 months and 7 days ago, my wife passed away from cancer. At the end, I made the decision to end chemotherapy and pursue hospice care only. Thankfully, my wife's physicians fully concurred.

Would I have had a problem if some loonies in "... the legislature pass[ed] a law that the husband's instructions for public policy reasons sufficient to them give the circumstances should not be followed ...." You bet your bippy.

While that was the worst decision I have ever had to make, there simply was no one in the world better positioned to make that decision than me. No judge, no panel, no doctor, and surely -- surely -- no legislature.

I hate to think what I might have done if someone had tried to interfere and make my wife continue to suffer. I might not be a free man today.

My wife's illness and ultimate death was most assuredly not "public policy" -- it was a private decision of hers and, when she could no longer make it, of mine for her.

585 posted on 03/16/2005 7:11:17 PM PST by winstonchurchill
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To: winstonchurchill
Those are good reasons under your facts for such a law not to be passed pertaining to your facts, which are far different in any event from the case at hand. They are not good reasons for barring the legislature to reflect the public will. Sometimes, what we favor as policy is disfavored by others, and it is up the public square to determine, not the courts.
592 posted on 03/16/2005 7:22:37 PM PST by Torie
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To: winstonchurchill

By the way, was your wife sentient, or did she have a living Will? If so, that moots everything.


595 posted on 03/16/2005 7:24:31 PM PST by Torie
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To: winstonchurchill
As I mentioned above, 18 months and 7 days ago, my wife passed away from cancer. At the end, I made the decision to end chemotherapy and pursue hospice care only. Thankfully, my wife's physicians fully concurred.

Would I have had a problem if some loonies in "... the legislature pass[ed] a law that the husband's instructions for public policy reasons sufficient to them give the circumstances should not be followed ...." You bet your bippy.

While that was the worst decision I have ever had to make, there simply was no one in the world better positioned to make that decision than me. No judge, no panel, no doctor, and surely -- surely -- no legislature.

I hate to think what I might have done if someone had tried to interfere and make my wife continue to suffer. I might not be a free man today.

I don't see how ending chemotherapy compares to starvation?

You stated that you "made the decision to end chemotherapy and pursue hospice care only" -how did this end your wife's suffering?

600 posted on 03/16/2005 7:33:48 PM PST by DBeers
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