Chandrama,

I went through all this about two year ago with my father. In California, which does not allow legal assisted suicide. The way it is accomplished in California is to overdose on the drugs at use for palliative care. I have a niece who is a nurse, and she tells me it happens all the time in our hospitals, especially if there is a DNR directive or family consent to "relieve all pain and discomfort". They do, and the patient dies, to the relief of all involved.

We should not be on a guilt trip about it. Death is part of the life story. I have so many good memories of my Dad, and I followed the advice of his doctors to administer at least as much drugs that would keep him out of pain. I did. He died in about a week. I feel no guilt, whatsoever about it. He is in a much better place.

I am an active volunteer for Compassion and Choices, an organization that is working to make aid in dying (not assisted suicide) legal, and also provides counselors at no charge to individuals and families who need them. You can call them, and they will assign you a counselor in your area. You can also learn more about them at their website or follow them on twitter.

Aid in dying is helping those who are already terminally ill with 6 months or less to live the opportunity to choose the timing and method of their death rather than enduring the suffering that waiting for nature would bring. A great analogy was raised about those 9/11 victims who chose to jump out of buildings rather than waiting for fire and smoke to overtake them. Also, a large percentage of those who receive the prescription in those states where it is legal, do not use it, but derive comfort by knowing that they have it in their possession. Everyone should have the right to control their body, to the extent that control is available.

I am so sorry for your MIL, and for your family, who suffers with you. My mother passed in July after over a decade of severe disability that left her home bound and even unable to talk. During that time I thought, 'why my wonderful, active mother, and why must we watch her suffer?'. I still don't know the answer except that maybe it was part of a greater plan, and her role in it was to teach us, and herself, some lesson in living. Many years ago I wondered if I would be asked/able to help her end her life, and was angry that it was not legal to do so. In hindsight, I see the incredible opportunities it offered for my siblings to become more caring and sensitive, and for my mother to show us an example of courage and living life to the fullest no matter what the circumstance. Maybe in the larger scheme of things that lesson was with the price.

Death with Dignity means many other things beside Assisted Suicide. I bring this up so that when people see articles or editorials that mention Death With Dignity, they do not assume it means Assisted Suicide. It can also mean having a chaplain present; keeping out "difficult people;" playing music that the person loves or decorating the room in his / her taste; providing religious support, etc. Assisted Suicide is the far end of the spectrum of "death with dignity."

Hi Jon,
Thanks for sharing about your mother. There are certainly many mysteries that we can not understand. Sounds like your family learned a lot from this long experience. I am sure you are both grieving and relieved, still. Find ways to include memories of her at your family holidays; the more we create ongoing relationships with those we love who have died, the healthier it is for us. (This is distinct from being stuck.) All my best to you and your family.

Hi JavaJan,

Thanks for spelling out some of the other services that go along with Death With Dignity. I know my mom wants Mary Oliver poems read to her.