Euthanasia - maybe I was wrong ..... ( Schiavo )

Big Red Porkers · 06-22-2006, 09:01 AM

: the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy

My buddy Rob is now in critical condition. He's been given 3-4 days left because his body won't eat or drink. He's basically comatose - the drugs that are given keep him at ease.

He's not like Terri Schiavo in that his body is riddled with cancer and has almost given up. His mind is numb by the drugs for the pain. Schiavo's body was doing fine but she was unable for the most part to eat/drink. Her mind was questionably not even in existance.

Schiavo was allowed to starve to death/dehydrate. Rob's body is shutting down much the same way.

If there was a blue button to push to end it ........... would that not be the best way for Rob to go ? Why linger for a couple of days ? Would I want to be released from Life if I were in that condition ? But not re-inserting his feeding tube (it was pulled out last week as he flailed wildy in his bed) they have accepted his death sentence. By pushing the blue button ......... they would simply make the death today and not 3-4

Tazman · 06-22-2006, 09:34 AM

BRP what are you saying exactly?

Do you want this to drag on?

I do pray your friends demise is as painless as possible.

bawanajim · 06-22-2006, 09:58 AM

I know I am not answering your question but here goes.

Terrie Schiavo was struck down out of the blue, she had no idea her injury was going to happen so no planning was done.I'm not saying it could not have been done but it was not .Some one else was forced to make the decision to end her life.
Your friend (and I feel for you and his family) has known for a long time what was in his future he & he alone had the chance to end his own suffering.That choice can not and should not be made by or for anyone else.
There is no correct choice , we as humans should treat life as the gift it is ,but not a gift that should be taken for granted.

Big Red Porkers · 06-22-2006, 10:33 AM

Taz - I've always argued that life is precious, not to be taken away because other people decide so. In the Schiavo case ........ the woman's body was alive, and healthy in a way, yet it was her mind that was determined to be gone and not fixable, for lack of better words.

They euthanized Schivao. Oh, they didn't do it by drugs or a pillow ....... they did it by not feeding her, or giving her water.

My buddy Rob is not capable or eating or drinking. His body is vastly worse than Schiavo's. His mind ....... if cleared from the drugs would be vastly better I imagine.

Neither is comparable to us on this forum

Rob has 3-4 days left before his body dies, and his mind along with it. He's drugged because of the pain, and likely even if he wasn't his awareness would be non-existant.

If you Tazman, could push a button and end his life right now, would you do it ?

Why or why not ?

a few months ago I would have said no, I wouldn't push the button.

now I'm not so certain that I wouldn't. watching a man die ......... its not easy

Tazman · 06-22-2006, 10:46 AM

BRP I will be honest and say I don't know, but if it was my wife or one of my kids......... yes I would. I would expect them to do the same for me, be it in your friends condition or Terrys.

Take care BRP I know this is ripping you apart.

Deleted User · 06-22-2006, 01:46 PM

[Deleted by Admins]

vc1111 · 06-22-2006, 06:05 PM

While I agree with Ifferd as to the philosophy of your questions and previous postures, I sympathize with what you and your friend are going through.

I've watched it also and with someone much closer. It will stay with you always.

kevin1 · 06-22-2006, 06:34 PM

Sorry to hear about your buddy BRP , that's got to be a nightmare . Positive thoughts your way .

I'll take the question you posed to Taz. Yes , I'd push the button to end your friend's suffering . Why ? Because I'd shoot a suffering cat or dog , and surely a suffering human deserves a surcease to their agony just as much . I'd do it for a total stranger simply because it's the least they deserve and I'd want them to do the same if I were in that hopeless state . If it were legal I'd consider opening a string of "final comfort" establishments like the ones in the movie "Soylent Green"(minus the food processing angle of course)so that once the hospice folks like Sunset could do no more there would be someone waiting with the compassion to do the hardest job of all. Would I feel guilty at the end of the day ? Hell no .

North Texan · 06-22-2006, 07:37 PM

I would much prefer the blue button to the removal of the feeding tube.

elgallo114 · 06-22-2006, 07:46 PM

This probably won't be the most popular opinion here but here it is anyway.

Our experiences on this planet are for us. We are meant to go through them. It's easy to say I want to give up. Or I want to end their suffering. But their suffering is their own, and meant for them.

Some of the most important things I've learned in this life are from the final days of someone's life.

Black and White? I guess that's very subjective. For me it is. But for me, it's been spelled out for me 2000 years ago. For those who chose not to see, it may be totally different.