In Britain, Dr. Sikora tells the world that in his many (30+) years of practice no patient has ever asked to practice the "Right to Die" approach. The doctor is against this practice. He is referring to our desire to continue until the bitter end and to the hundreds of rest homes for the elderly, where people "prefer" clinging to life. He thinks that is what most, if not all elderly people want.
Really? I bet Dr. Sikora is a skilled oncologist - he is famous for his intervention in that field, but may I question what he truly knows and understands of what it feels like to sit in a wheelchair and being pushed around incapable of brushing one's own teeth, let alone eat.
Not that I know, but I refuse to believe that anyone can judge for another. We all have strong or not so strong feelings about our "Right to Die".
Does Dr. Sikora have pets? We don't know, but if he has, and the pet gets hopelessly sick, does he continue to let the animal suffer? Farmers put their cattle to sleep, when life is slipping away and so do most of us with our dogs and cats. I go to the vet and request euthanasia for my beloved pet out of respect and love for the animal. Is their life less sacred than ours?
When Dr. Sikora, now strong and vibrant, is getting feeble, let's check in with him again, and ask him whether the disgraceful pain and suffering then is to his liking. I wouldn't be surprised if he has changed his mind. "And doctor, don't speak for me!"
1 comment:
I hope you don’t mind me commenting again, but you raise this idea to such a passionate and concerned level in your writing, I am absolutely compelled to post.
Yes, of course, I agree, no one should judge for another. But I feel that death is such a taboo and fearful topic, no one wants to talk about it, let alone think about it. And then, some poor doctor, when confronted with the real issue of life and death has to make a call for a patient’s life…well, good grief, not too many have the strength and resolve to step up to that plate and say, “Yes, this life is over.” It is probably easier to keep it “life” going as long as possible. Who wants to be responsible for “pulling the plug?”
As you have presented him, this Dr. Sikora sounds like he is pretty high on his medical technological horse. Does he think that by denying the “Right To Die”, he is giving the family and the patient more time to prepare for death? This is naive and nonsense. Why? You can never prepare for it. In my experience, death, like birth, is only full realized when the event happens. Although everyone thinks they can prepare for the event and know it is coming, who anticipates the depth of grief in death or ecstasy of joy in birth?
Having been briefly close to the edge myself and having been with loved ones who experienced death, I can say that no one wants to talk about it. It’s a lonely place to be. Perhaps the answer is conversation. And although I don’t think it makes the process any less fearful, perhaps it makes it easier, just to share and mentally be there.
Post a Comment