The Mention of Physician Assisted Suicide--long

[Guest guest]

One of you had mentioned physician assisted suicide, and I must

weigh-in here.

Yes, it is true that some countries are permitting a euthanasia of

sorts for those who live in severe pain and who have no reasonable

expectation of recovery.

Although suicide is always an option for every human being

whether their pain be psychic or physical, I would like you each to

consider something.....

Suicide is a permanent solution to what could potentially be a

temporary problem. There is research going on all over the world on

RA, Lupus, ulcerative colitis,scleroderma, and Crohn's disease and a

myriad of other autoimmune disorders. It is a matter of time before

some REAL tangible progress is made in the management of all of these

illnesses. Progress on RA is likely to be made by accident while

working on another illness entirely.

In all honesty I am quite depressed myself. I am limited

considerably compared to a year ago in terms of my occupational value

and also in terms of my ability to do things with my four children

and my husband that we once enjoyed. I am having to sell my beloved

farm.

However, any type of suicide doesn't solve the problem for the

person who suffers. It creates a deep loss which can eat through and

destroy a family. When people commit suicide, their families suffer

not only the loss of a beloved family member, but they suffer the

guilt of not having recognized the depth of pain, depression and

frustration of their loved one. Their children blame themselves

forever. Some psychiatrists believe and will tell your family that

the person who committed suicide was angry with them and that this

was a motivating factor in their choice, even though this may not be

true. The families of those who have committed suicide often later in

life choose this themselves. You may be blazing the trail for your

spouse or for your children, or even for your neighbor or a friend.

Lastly, while you are in pain enough to consider this, you need

to examine what you feel about God. Some faiths believe that God

does not admit us into heaven when we have taken the life He has

given us. Other faiths believe that a loving God would understand our

choice. You need to search carefully what YOU believe before doing

something irrevokable.

I cannot say that suicide has never entered my radar screen.

Most adults who have lived a life of any depth or who has experienced

any losses will tell you it has, at least at some point.

My choice at the moment, is to hang on, taking whatever morsels

from the candy store my physicians provide to slow the progress of

this thing. I enjoy what I can and limit my contact with those who

annoy me or erode my resolve. (And there exist a lot of this type of

people !)

Please think about the points I've raised. It may be time to ask

your doctor about a mild antidepressant such as amytriptaline, to

help shore you up while all of this research continues. Remember, a

cure might not be found for all of us, but it may well be found for

some or even most of us. This thinking is as much a reality as the

possibility of suicide, and it too is a valid choice.

Best wishes to each of you,

Jane