What did you think about the death & dying film? You can respond here with just your reactions and/or you can specifically respond to one or a few of the questions from your handout (sent in email with the agenda for last week's class).
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One thing I noticed while watching the film was that both terminally ill people could talk so freely and openly about their own deaths. They had already come to terms with what was imminent and they spoke more of the fear of dying than of death itself. When Kitty was asked how she thought those around her would feel after she chose to end her life she replied that those around would be sad because "seeing me die means they face their mortality too". I believe this to be true of everyone who has experienced a loss of a loved one, having to say good-bye to someone so close to you makes you realize, life does have an end. Both spoke of wanting to be in control of their lives and wanted to die with dignity verses the stress, physical tolls, and embarrassment that could come from their diseases. Physician assisted suicide not only effects the lives of the patients and their families but also the doctors that prescribe the drug and help the patients follow through with their decisions. There are many doctors who face moral dilemmas of helping to put someone out of an uncomfortable uncontrollable life and the issue of playing God and taking a life before natural causes do. It takes a strong doctor to follow through with helping the patient that they most likely have a strong connection with. They must believe that what they are doing is right for everyone in the situation. I think that would be a hard job to follow through with.
ReplyDeleteI thought the death and dying video was interesting and depressing. I don't believe in physican assisted suicide but I understand why those individuals wanted the option of doing it. I can't bring myself to understand how a doctor can take an oath to help people live and then help them die. I thought that it was very sad that the man with ALS had to choose to commit suicide because his doctors wouldn't help him die when the time came. Even after watching the struggle of these individuals I still cannot say that I would be accepting of assisted suicide if my mom or dad wanted to do so.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be honest, that movie hit me kinda hard. My mom is currently undergoing chemo therapy for leukemia that is thankfully in remission. But she has a beautiful bald head just like the woman in the film. I also had a really hard time trying to separate my religious views and watch the movie from an academic stand point. The first thing I thought about was care giver role strain (that's a nursing diagnosis for all my other nurses). The wife of the man with ALS really needed some help. I think a huge part of physician assisted suicide is control. The patients don't want to be a burden to their family. Both spoke about knowing that point when they would be "ready to go" But that's the point where my religious views come back in play because it's not our job as human to make that decision. It's a fact that humans are interdependent, that's the way we come into this world and that's the way we go out. There is nothing wrong asking for help or just leaving it in God's hands. I think I wrote a book, sorry. But like I said this movie kinda hit home.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few things I would like to say in response to the movie. The first deals with euthanasia. My views on this have always been very conflicted. My religious beliefs tell me that it is wrong, but the more I think about it I am finding myself accepting the idea more and more. This film showed people suffering from terminal illnesses talking about using euthanasia. It seemed like one of the main reasons they wanted to end their life this way was becuase they wanted to stay in control of the disease. They have an illness they can't control, but deciding when their life ends is a way of controlling it.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to respond to the question about what experiences we have had with death. Both of my grandparents on my dad's side died either before I was born or when I was very young. My neighbor was murdered when I was about ten or eleven which was very tramatic. The death that has had the most impact on my life though was the death of my friend's dad. Like the man in the movie, he had ALS for seven years before he died. He did not use euthanasia to end his life and he suffered for a long time before he finally died. It was so hard to watch him suffer. I would never want anyone to suffer like that which is probably why my view on euthanasia is changing.
What experiences have you had with death?
ReplyDeleteMy Aunt had suffered with breast cancer & was in remission last summer when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She began chemo therapy treatment this past Christmas, but due to her impaired immune system she picked up a virus that her body could not fight off & was hospitalized. She went into the hospital with some breathing issues on a Wednesday, and was put on a breathing machine the next day. Over the next couple of days all of her major organs shut down, including lungs/heart/kidneys.
Myself, along with about ten other family memebers, spoke with the doctors at the hospital & decided to start "withdrawing care". After this decision was made, she was given pain medication, all the machines were shut down, and she passed away within minutes.
I remember being mad when I saw her on all the machines, and not hopefull at all. I understand why patients want to me in control of end of life & not leave this world hooked up to five machines.
In Jim's case, his disease slowly paralyzed him. He decided that he did not want to be placed on a respirator to extend his life. Instead, he wishes for a physician aided suicide in order for a painless death, much like he's done for his animals over the years. Jim's doctor is not willing to do this for him, saying he could write him a prescription that could be fatal, however he could not actively kill a patient. On the other hand, Kitty is able to have physician assisted suicide due to Oregon's death with dignity act. A theme that ran through both cases is wanting control when the time came. Both wanted the option to choose for themselves, and not be forced down one path. They wanted to retain their dignity, and not put themselves and their families through extended, unnecesary pain. I agree with this. I would want the ability to make such a big decision on my own as well. I can't imagine how frustrating it must be to have a terminal illness where you were losing everything day by day, and feel that the one thing you had control over (death) was taken away from you as well.
ReplyDeleteThe film really made me think a lot, but I haven't really decided on my position on euthanasia yet (mainly because I can't imagine being in that situation where it would be an option.) What I have learned so far from the film is that when a person is sick with a terminal illness they want to be the one's in control of when they will go instead of letting the illness be in control. It makes a lot of sense why someone would want that control. That way they can finish anything they need to take care of and say their goodbyes instead of waiting everyday for the illness to take their life.
ReplyDeleteEven though I don't know if I would choose the option of euthanasia, I don't think it should be up to anyone but the person going through the ordeal. If there is a doctor out there willing to administer the lethal injection, why not let them?
I have to admit that I did tear up when the two ill people started talking about the burden they are on their families. I thought a lot about what my friend went through last year when she was diagnosed with skin cancer and became terminal in a matter of months and was only being treated for pain management before she died. What bothers me more is thinking about what her family went through while they waited for the cancer to kill her. I don't think she would have choose to end her life earlier, and I hardly believe most people would choose that option, but maybe it would be nice to just have that option especially if someone is suffering.
I am curious to watch the rest of the film to see if it shows what the two people choose and if so what their families think about it after they are gone.
Hey guys,
ReplyDeleteI think the film was a very straight-forward documentary that showed the hardships of a terminal illness when it comes to deciding on Physician's Assisted Suicide (PAS). We saw two very different cases where one patient was legally participating in PAS, and the other patient desperately wanted to be able to control his manner of death through PAS, but this is not an option in the state where the patient lives. The film was informative about how the process of PAS works. We also heard the opinion of the Southern physician about his legal and moral confilcts with PAS, as well as the opinions of the patients' family members. This topic provides a slippery slope that would be very difficult to handle from a physician's point of view and from a family's point of view.
Thanks
I thought the death and dying film was very blunt and to the point, both patients were very set on their thoughts about the physician assisted suicide. It made me reflect on how I would go about handling a situation like theirs if I were to ever be faced with it. In seeing both of their situations I've come to the conclusion that if I or some family member were diagnosed with a disease like ALS where your body slowly shuts down I think I would be more accepting of the idea of physician assisted suicide. Once certain body systems shut down your just awaiting death in pain and I would like to put myself and my family out of the burden of having to deal with my medical problems once my main systems shut down.
ReplyDeleteThis film was very much an eye opener and truly showed me that every side of the story should be looked at in any situation before an executive decision is made.
This video was very informative. It is a little disturbing, however, to watch someone go through the process. It is especially sad to watch the man in the video because he is so adament about the process. I feel for his wife in this situation who will be crushed when he finally passes away. She devotes every part of her day to taking care of her husband. What will she feel like when he so selfishly takes that "job" away from her? You can tell that his decision pains her so because all of her work will one day amount to his death. I understand his decision, but I do not agree with it. Yes, he may feel like he is a burden on his family, but his wife has made so many changes in her life and their family life in order for him to be safe, happy, and comfortable.
ReplyDeleteThe woman in the movie is equally saddening to me. It feels to me as if it will take her a very long time to decide that the pain is too much. How can she decide that when she gets to see her daughters and granddaughter? Her physician, I think, has the hardest job in this situation. By her job description, she is to provide care and comfort for the patient. In this case, the comfort the patient desires is death. How difficult to say that patient comfort in this situation should trump patient care.
Unfortunately, my fiancee Caleb's best friend Adam died last month in Afganistan. This experience has really opened my eyes to what death really means. He was killed by an IED, and after many discussions with Caleb and Adam's family, we have accepted his death as the best possible way he could have died at war. We know his death was quick and painless for him. This is how I want my death to be. I want enough time for me to say goodbye to my family and do a couple things off my "bucket list" and then I would like a quick death so that my family has very short suffering. However, I hope this death doesn't happen for a long time.
The film is very informative and I think very interesting to explore the thinking of a patient who desires physician assisted suicide. I hope it follows their stories until the end and then interviews the family after the death. It definatily would not be my choice for death, but I can respect their decision given their situations.
There has been a lot of talk on this particular thread concerning the difficulties between what our religions say we should believe and how we actually feel about euthanasia. Most in the class are Catholics and the church has a firm stance on anti-aborition/euthanasia. It is unacceptable and in no situation should it take place. What I find so interesting is that in the case of the farmer's wife, one of the discussion points that really got her upset was the fact that she has stopped going to church so that she can care for her husband. She has lost what would probably be a major support group because she has no choice but to do all the caretaking herself. She is foreced to sacrifice church in order to stay home with him.
ReplyDeleteThere is an inner conflict that many of us are facing from the outside concerning euthanasia, but this woman doesn't even have the choice. Her dying husband's situation has chosen for her, and I see her situation has the most difficult possible. I just hope that I am lucky enough to never have to face a similar situation.
Having watched this film before, I knew what to expect. However, I didn't expect it to hit me harder this time than it did the first. I guess maybe the reason is because I have been through several different clinical rotations and have seen old, young, sick, and dying patients. This film kind of got me thinking how I would want to die. If I were in the shoes of either one of these patients, I would want to have the option of physician assisted suicide. There comes a point in terminal illness in which there is no turning back, and no hope for recovery. I think once I reached that point, and death was in the near future, and my pain and suffering was unbearable then I would not want to go on and put my family or myself through the agony. After reading Rachel's article about passive and active euthanasia, I agree with him about how allowing someone to die is in many cases worse than mercy killing.
ReplyDeleteAs a future medical professional, I have an inner conflict in that what I believe and what I am allowed to do in my career as a nurse differ. As a medical professional, we are required to do all we can to save a life unless otherwise noted by the patient. For example, if a patient's Advanced Directives confirm that the patient wishes to be designated as DNR then we are not allowed to do anything to the patient in the event that the patient codes. If there is no proof of the patient's wishes in an end of life situation, then we are required to do what we can to save the life of that patient. In my own beliefs as a person, I do not oppose to physician assisted suicide, or active and passive euthanasia. Even though I may believe this, I am required by law to follow hospital policy, which could mean watching a patient suffer in the end of his/her life no matter the kind and amount of care given instead of minimizing suffering with active euthanasia.
Hopefully I will never be in either of these people on the video's shoes, nor anyone I know.
The film was certainly very powerful. I honestly feel that thinking about dying at a young age is something none of us want to do; however, with our country fighting two wars it is something that has had a personal affect on us,by knowing someone KIA, or we hear regularly on the evening news.
ReplyDeleteIt is very easy to sit and watch a movie and say we would be totally for or against euthanasia in any form. I hope knowone ever has to think about these issues, either now or in the future, but in all likelyhood we will. Like Dr. Cate says it is importnat that we understand our families wishes, and they understand ours, but just like the man with ALS he said he would want to take the medication once he could not raise his hands, and he didn't. Ultimately, when the time comes as an indivdual I think everyone will know what is best for them, and it could be something they never imagined doing or believing.
This documentary focused on a highly debated topic of physician assisted suicide. As of now, I am for physician assisted suicide. However, I have never had anyone close to me go through a slow death and want to use physician assisted suicide so my opinion could very easily be altered if I ever have to go through that experience. It just seems cruel to make someone finish out the last weeks or months of their lives in pain. For me to ask someone to do that would just make me feel selfish.
ReplyDeleteThere's a part in the video where the wife of the man with ALS talks about her experience with her mother. She talks about how she kept her mother alive with a feeding tube for a couple extra weeks, but that she regrets it because of the condition her mother was in for those 3 weeks. If that lady had been given the option of physician assisted suicide, she may have been able to go out on her terms and wouldn't have had to suffer the painful death she went through. I believe if the patient is competent enough, it should be their decision.
This film was very thought provoking on many topics including euthanasia and physician assisted suicide. There comes a point in any terminal illness where pain over-rides the will to live. For these patients I think that Physician Assisted Suicide should be a fair choice. Looking at Ricky a patient like Ricky in the video who is dying such a horrible death, that it does not seem that he knows his surroundings at the end is a horrible way for one to die, but also a painful experience for everyone else involved like family and friends. After a point Ricky was no longer coherent they knew he was in pain, but too much pain medicine made him slip in and out of consciousness, where too little made him agitated. However, at this point it become euthanasia, when the doctors no longer give food or water to sustain life to a dying patient, this is passive euthanasia. I think in many cases its hard for the family to sit by and watch.
ReplyDeleteThis movie almost made me want to change my views in extreme cases thinking that both euthanasia and physician assisted suicide should be allowed. I think that is what allowed the state of Oregon to pass the death with dignity act.
I thought this film was excellenct and that it really showed the dire circumstances that alot of terminal patients are in. Although seeing people go through that is very sad and very hard I am not a supporter of PAS. I think it is morally wrong. I am however a very strong supporter of Hospice. Hospie is a wonderful program that can really make the dying process of a loved one a more positive and less stressful experience for the family members. Hospice also gives the caretakers of dying patinets an easier job because alot of times the caretakers don't know when to ask for help because it is their family member that they love and want to continue to help.
ReplyDeleteWorking in the hospital I see patients all the time who are dying and the toll that it takes on family members. It is stressfull and alot of times people do not have living wills and do not really know the patient's wishes so the familiy will argue over what treatment should be done for the patient. It is also hard because alot of people see hospice as a death sentence and see it as o my mom, dad, or whoever is going to die in a few days when really they could have up to six months or longer. I think that Hospice needs to be more actively advertised so that people can begin to understand what it actually is.
I have a patient on my floor now who is dying and their family is actually in this predicament of what treatments should be carried out and I actually explained to them that hospice is not a death sentence and that people can get better and be discharged from hospice. I also explained that it is a wonderful treatment plan because it makes the patient comfortable which is very important.
The dying process is very hard on all the family members, as you could tell from the video, but I still feel that PAS is wrong and that Hospice should be advertised more than PAS.
Before the movie, I only thought about euthanasia in terms of those who are on the brink of suicide because of depression. After watching the movie, it has revealed a new perspective to me about this controversial topic. Before the movie I was anti-euthanasia, but I can begin to sympathize with those who are terminally ill. I do not yet fully understand where my position fully lies regarding this subject. However, if I were a physician, I personally would not be able to prescribe the medication to the individual to kill themselves. I believe the real issue with legalizing euthanasia is the idea of the slippery slope and when exactly you can justify helping an individual take their own life. I believe that individuals have the right to live a life the see as "good", but I am not yet fully sure that a good life includes ending it.
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