Dear Seano,

Thank You for sharing your heart wrenching
experience.
No wonder you had nightmares.

As for that poor soul you mentioned -
all I can say is:

"Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine on them.
May they rest in peace. Amen."

Professor Megan-Jane Johnstone says that "palliative
care can help substantially in the majority of cases."
However, as you pointed out, what about the few in
great pain and suffering for which no pain relief is
effective?

Some people fear that condoning the right of people
to end their lives will lead to misuse. I don't buy that.
Effective safeguards can be put in place. As someone
in The Age newspaper pointed out, "the right-to-life
movement" is basically a religious argument put forward
by people intent on imposing their values on society
at large. That may well be - however seeing as about 80
per cent of the population seem to support dying with
dignity legislation - lawmakers must have a full debate
on this issue. The legislation will come, of that I'm
sure.

Again, Thanks for your input.

Foxy
Off topic but watch this 3 minute Chomsky video http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/8339487.stm?ls

Worth a topic?

Dear Examinator,

I can't watch this video (or any other),
on my antiquated computer. It doesn't
have the capability. I hope to be getting
a new computer for Christmas.
I would have loved seeing the Chomsky interview
on the American involvement in Afghanistan.

I imagine it would be worth starting a topic
on the subject. Chomsky's opinions are always
rational and well argued.

Dear Foxy and Seano,
Yes I do agree we need legalized euthanasia in some form or another.
However, as a nurse I can tell you that it is always at the resident Doctors mercy as to how a patient is treated in hospitals.

At present we don't have legal euthanasia, so they can't be seen to do anything to hasten anyone's death- or they can be charged with manslaughter or murder. Believe me, there are plenty of people working in hospitals who feel the need to closely scrutinize any deaths that may appear to have happened too quickly.

Of course there are suspicious deaths from poor medical practices or accidents which certainly should be investigated and acted upon, however I have heard of some instances where palliative patient deaths have been vigorously investigated.

Many times, family members argue over drug use in the final days of palliative patients lives. Some family members (usually those against euthanasia or for religious reasons) do not want the large doses of drugs required for effective pain relief because they believe it may prematurely kill the patient- even though they are already in the late stages of their illness.

Some Doctors and Nurses are afraid of this because often these family members call for post mortems after death- and there can be allegations against medical staff.

Euthanasia needs to be made legal before you will see any changes in these practices.

Yes Foxy there are few who would disagree with your sentiments. If we are ill, and without hope, when we die should be our decision regardless of the disease. When we know we have had enough we should have access to a pill able to be used when we want, thereby making the decision when we die our own. It should not be the decision of a doctor, other than for prescribing the pills without prejudice, or any other person who wants to make it their decision.

People should be allowed to die either with family present or alone. There should be no repercussions to family. No human being should be made to suffer any of the indignities of dying that I have seen in my lifetime.

I should add I have the fear of stroke, because it runs in my family on the female side, scares the daylights out of me. I don't want to die as my mother did and I do not want an old age that is a burden to me, my family and the health system. I simply don't want that and if it is in my power, one way or another, I will make the decision for myself. However, it should be easy to do. People should not have to go outside the country to obtain the medication, or go to another country where euthanasia is legal, to die. It ludicrous.

Why is there no official discussion? Why are the politicians not willing to make the laws as they should be. Are they scared of a minority few religious nutters?

Dear Suze,

I am grateful to know somebody 'at the coalface' if you will, an yet honest and able to see both sides. Back in 2001, I could not see why the late-night actions of my friend were justified, but if I can be EXTREMELY careful in mentioning possible benefits, I now see how she may've known more about the situation than I did then, and in her casual role, she had freedom that official doctor's reports did'nt. It is human nature when a horse has a broken leg to solve the problem efficiently, and I would hope respectfully considering I don't know anyone who speaks fluent horse-sense.

I'm moved by your post, but the family aspect complicates things far more than the simple relationship between the trusted nurse and patient, and IMHO it is that human kindness that can both inspire a dying patient to stay alive through the night, or discuss the misery that makes us perhaps wish we were horses.

If there was a way to maintain that relationship between a dying patient and their most trusted friend at that most important time, and if there could be that same wonderful person at the bedside over expected 8 hour periods throughout those days, then I believe it would enable correct decisions to be passed to the doctor about life or death, but the nurse who takes care of a bedpan and walks away is not quite enough. A friend when you're losing your ability to communicate is the most important thing, and family can be misled or have alterior motives if there is inheritances involved. I will never willingly enter another hospital in Australia after the morphine-for-asthma madness, but what was lacking mostly, and what I suspect might be lacking for the dying, was a good person who happens to be a nurse, that one can get to know and trust with their last wishes.

I believe that you are that kind of human being and hope that the admedistrivia doesn't stop yop from that most important part of nursing.