Oppinion on a current issue

"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
10/14/2014 at 22:06 • Filed to: None

So there's been a story circulating about a young woman who has terminal brain cancer, and is ending her life by medical means on November 1st. Mine and my wife's opinion is that she has the right to die how she wants to, but it seems that most of the "Christians" in my wife's family are adamently, belligerently against it. Thoughts?

DISCUSSION (30)

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/14/2014 at 22:10

Well, she could allowed to die in a safe environment relatively pain free. Or she could slice her throat.

They have the same result. But one of these significantly more humane then the other. Hint: Its not the throat slicing option.

Leadbull > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/14/2014 at 22:10

I'm a Christian.

I think she's within her rights.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/14/2014 at 22:10

My very Catholic parents say that she has the right to do whatever her heart desires. I agree. They say that she shouldn't have to suffer.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
10/14/2014 at 22:14

That was one of my points. No one can stop you from killing yourself. They can, however, make sure your family is traumatized in the process...

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
10/14/2014 at 22:14

Your folks sound like good people :)

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/14/2014 at 22:14

I second what Dwhite says, I'll also say it's her life, and her call alone to decide what to do with that; even if wants it to end. :(

On a side note, is her family basically saying she should live with the cancer? Because if that's the case, wow.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Leadbull
10/14/2014 at 22:15

Same here. I'm one of those Christians that really wishes everyone would worry about themselves and their family instead of everyone else.

Big Bubba Ray > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/14/2014 at 22:16

She should have the right to choose when/how she goes, in my opinion.

There was an elderly gentleman in my grandma's neighborhood who was diagnosed with terminal cancer a few months ago. His health was rapidly declining and he was becoming more and more dependent upon his family to take care of him. He mentioned to many people over the past couple months that he wished he could just end his life peacefully, much like the woman with brain cancer wants to do. That wasn't an option for him though.

Just three days ago his kids found him dead in his garage with his wrists slit.

He obviously didn't want to slowly wither away in front of his family and have the cancer take its toll on his body, but he couldn't end his life on his terms through medical means. It's a horrible, horrible to think about.

Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/14/2014 at 22:17

I was raised Catholic. And the reason I now identify myself as agnostic = free will. Ask the wife's family where the common sense is in waiting to fade out painfully? It's really that simple to me.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/14/2014 at 22:18

Yes, thank you. My mother lost her mother to cancer in 2011 and my father lost his mother to cancer in 2007. My mom's mom suffered from her cancer. She gets really emotional when people bring up such a topic. I miss her. I miss them both.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Big Bubba Ray
10/14/2014 at 22:21

And think, it all could be avoided if someone has given the option of a safe and painless medical way out...

Leadbull > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/14/2014 at 22:21

Exactly.

You're not going to accomplish anything by judging people and shoving your views down their throats and justifying that by citing literature they don't believe in.

Maybe actually read the Bible. It will say things like "don't judge people" and "love your neighbor" and "don't be selfish".

Dsscats > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/14/2014 at 22:23

It's her life. She can choose to end it if she likes.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ
10/14/2014 at 22:23

I'm Christian and I still agree with exactly what you just said. I asked this question at work, and a coworker suggested she be put in a coma once it got bad. My question was how is her being in a coma then dying be different than her ending her life when she got to that point?

Big Bubba Ray > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/14/2014 at 22:24

Exactly. A tragedy could have been completely avoided. It's so sad to think about.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
10/14/2014 at 22:26

Its a terrible disease. All of the women in my family have had breast cancer except for my mom. It's a constant fear for us.

I hope your mom finds peace with her mother's passing and that you guys go the rest of your lives without it ever happening again.

Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/14/2014 at 22:27

Also a conversation where life experience shapes your values and reactions. I've been to a funeral for every person I've known with cancer and had two grandparents who didn't know who their loved ones were for the last 5-10 years of their lives. I have no interest in being alive if I'm not living.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Big Bubba Ray
10/14/2014 at 22:28

It really is. I think it's a great shame when something like that happens.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ
10/14/2014 at 22:30

I have a bit different experience on the matter. I'm diabetic, and I know my death will not be fun, and the time leading up to it will be even less fun. I will hold on to bitter end because I'm stubborn and sentence myself to suffer more than most. However, I would not ever ask anyone else to suffer just because I would.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/14/2014 at 22:32

Would definitely be a more dignified way to go rather than spending her last few weeks in incredible pain or a vegetable induced state from the pain killers.

A lot of people can look down on others until they're the one dealing with it themselves.

Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/14/2014 at 22:34

I think if I'm conscious of the matter I might be there with you. My Irish only shows in my stubborness.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/14/2014 at 23:47

I am adamantly, belligerently against rel... Nevermind, that is beside the point. I'm with her. I would do it. Or help if needed. That being said it is not a decision I would make lightly.

Squid > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/15/2014 at 00:00

I see nothing wrong with letting her choose when and where and how to die. The alternative sounds like such a shitty alternative that I wouldn't want to put my family or friends through. I've survived my bout with cancer, but who knows if it will come back, it probably will but I dunno. Death with dignity is much more important and a humane option than forcing pain and suffering on someone because of "ethical" reasons.

I'm not religious in one bit, and I'll be honest I don't know the reason why death with dignity is not an option in every state of our country but it damn well should be. Granted it should not be a decision made lightly at all, but if an illness is terminal, why not live to the fullest and then choose when you want to go and not suffer through all the medical treatments and slowly withering away.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
10/15/2014 at 00:46

I would say I would have to make it through all the stages of grief before I made that decision.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Squid
10/15/2014 at 00:47

Well-said. I hope your cancer stays away, for you and your family.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
10/15/2014 at 01:04

My wife's family has said that the woman should have no right to kill herself because it's "against the bible and God's will". Yep.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/15/2014 at 01:17

Yeah, No. Let me pose them this question: If it was one of them in that very position, would they really sit there and suffer waiting for God to decide what's best for them, even if it's extremely painful, unbearable and just about the worse time anyone could ever partake in against their will? Or would they actually do something about it themselves.

What is that woman's religion anyway? Is she actually Christian? or Atheist? If she's not even of the same religion, your wife's family has no right to say that or even suggest that a "higher power" should decide for her. Simply put, her family is talking shit that they can't possibly back up if they were in her position and should probably shut up. But since my family is also Christian, I'll tell you what. I'll ask my parents and see what they say and let you know tomorrow.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/15/2014 at 01:30

Definitely.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
10/15/2014 at 08:57

The funny part is that my wife and I are both Christians as well, and we still think she has the right to kill herself. And I think that's because we're both in a much closer position to where this young woman is. We're in our mid 20s and we can understand what this decision could be like.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/15/2014 at 09:32

Exactly! Her family is most likely too old or too traditional to understand.