bleh

[ceagle]

we call our society humane?
we debate and debate at what point something is a life. we contest whether someone felt 2 seconds of pain before they are snuffed in the gas chamber or lethal injection. we argue the subtleties of all these things, and yet you know what the established procedure is for letting someone die?

starvation.

>:|

while we accept that it is humane to inject an animal to give it peaceful release from the torture of incurable infirmity, somehow it's a whole different thing to allow people that same blessing? :/

right now my step-sister's mother rests on her death bed, awaiting the moment she starves completely. because that's what modern medicine and lawyers say is the way it is.

yeah, that's totally humane....

not.

Comments

[labile.livejournal.com]

That's about how I feel right now, but I reached it in a completely different way. I'm reading this stupid book that made me want to throw it across the room, and the saddest part is it's something that actually happened, that our government helped to happen.

>(

[loveyouenola.livejournal.com]

Here in Aussie, euthanasia is illegal... however it is also "quietly accepted" that a person may be given large doses of Morphine to mask any pain - large enough that it ensures they are unaware of any suffering... perhaps large enough to end it on occasions.

I hope your step-sister's mother is given that blessing, for her, and your entire family. *TB Hugs* You'll be in my thoughts, mate.

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

*hughuggles....* So sorry to hear you've faced so inexplicable similaries too... :(

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

wow.. illegal even for animals?

but yeah, that's what they are doing... just sorta wondering how that makes it any better/different than the release given to critters when suffering irreparably... except for the fact that dragging things out means more money for the establishment. that really seems like the only difference... oh, and the unnecessary wasting away of the starving person, and the long-dragged out emotional misery for her or his loved ones.... -_-

thanks for peeking in.. *hugs too*..

[loveyouenola.livejournal.com]

No, I was only talking of humans. The RSPCA here monitors (and has 'police type' authority, ie: can enter private property and arrest) animal cruelty - putting down an animal in an inhumane way (ie, drowning kittens) would have you charged. But Vets are permitted to end an animals suffering without any legal complications.

[featherlady-jt.livejournal.com]

Oh my God... how cruel! I'm so sorry.. :( :(

that's why...

[mammallamadevil.livejournal.com]

I've told certain people of my personal wishes in case that situation does occur....Oregon at least allows some measure of leeway in these cases.

MLD

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

*hughugs gratefully...* thanks for peeking in, ..sorry it wasn't awfully upbeat this time, though.. :/

Re: that's why...

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

good point you make.. maybe some of this is more california practice that federal practice.. not sure... *sighs and hugz*

Re: that's why...

[mammallamadevil.livejournal.com]

federal practice is "leave it up to the states". California health care systems are afraid of lawsuits and other factors. (as are many other states are I'm sure)

it's a tough call but after the Terri Schiavo situation (which was not that long ago) there needs to be some sort of personal freedom/guidelines. So many of these situations are subject to interpretation and I know that I would not want to make that decision for anyone else. Good luck to your step-sister.

btw, I need to ping you so thanks for the roundabout reminder...

MLD

[altonwings.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear about that. I don't agree with the way the laws are written, but I understand in part why it has been established the way it is at this time. Primarily, we don't want to open the door to simply ending a life because of 'X,Y, Z' reasons--this is essentially allowing nature to 'take its course'. Unfortunately, that means a great deal of suffering, dying no differently than our ancestors millions of years ago.

[stokerbramwell.livejournal.com]

I know ... it's disgusting. Such a cruel way to kill someone ...

[genmaicha.livejournal.com]

It's a messed up world...

*hugs*...

[furahi.livejournal.com]

*hugs tight* So very sorry to hear, my dear friend.

[xianjaguar.livejournal.com]

It's totally messed up, but it's because Doctors take the hippocratic oath, where they agree to never end a life. Which is ironic, because the oath includes an oath to never do abortions, yet doctors break THAT portion of the oath, while happily letting 'Nature Take It's Course' in cases like your poor step-sister's mother. :(

Read more on the oath here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath

*hugs you*
:(

[expandranon.livejournal.com]

Awrk, that's awful to hear. It's true, every word you've spoken. The way we deal with end-of-life is fucked up beyond belief. You can't even give her drugs to ease her suffering, either. What if she becomes addicted? Sigh, it's all a mess. Your friends are here for you. *HUGS*

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

oh yes... there's reasons.. I acknowledge there's reasons, yup.
Lots of our reasons are socially in conflict with each other. We have ways to ease nature taking its course when it comes to animals, but not people in such cases. And yep, that's why I included the part about irreversable suffering... that's what our vets tell us when it's time to save the critters we love from having to die a prehistoric death. True, our ancestors managed well enough to bring us to this point. But if we embrace the advancements we've made since then, why go back? *peep*

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

*huggles your batbat self..*

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

*listens to Ice Queen with you.. and hugpats gratefully*

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

*hugs too.... * thank you for peeking in and for caring...... -_-

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

It's always comforting when others can relate.... thank you for your comments and link, and for peeking in... *hug*..

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

*peep*... well, they are giving her gobs of morphine, morph - eeen, death - eeen, ..... it's a great big farce. She wakes up every so often, starving adn in who-knows-how-much pain, while her family gathers and cries in their own agony, wishing she could come back, or just go in peace.. *hugsyoo*.

[fareme.livejournal.com]

It's these sorts of things in our society and mindsets that just make me so sad and sick.
And let's not forget that it's "okay" to kill someone if you're in a War and killing the Enemy.
Our views (as a society) on death are so horrible.

[fareme.livejournal.com]

Erk, and.. hang in there. :{ My thoughts are with you and your family.

[telbert.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, friend. I agree that we take a closer look at how society is handling this issue. I will keep good thoughts for you and yours.

[artemis1.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear that. I have often thought the same thing. The problem is, that with anything (genetic alteration, death, etc)there is the potential for it to be misused. Society cannot be trusted as a whole to make the right decisions and the potential for abuse is great. That is why, I think it has never come to light. I do agree in many cases, it would be better, and I have seen MANY, but there you have it. I wish her a speedy and peaceful passing and for the loved ones to heal quickly.

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

*pets the Eagle's feathers*

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

I think it probably definitely is... so they flood the body with drugs to keep it numb enough to live, not enough to pass on, but enough to live until the starvation is enough to kill them.
She passed on, yesterday..

Thank you for peeking in, me friend... sure miss ya... and so glad ya are graduatin', and gonna be freeeeeeee from all those schooly burdens....... *hughugs*.

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

You make an absolutely tremendous point :|

Wow... like our society (especially those who manipulate a lot of the rules), seems to have some sort of twisted dial that we spin, and if it lands on different sections, we accept completely different definitions of the value of life.

*hugs...* Thanks so much for your thoughts and for peeking in here... sorry itsa a bit more gruesome than usual :/ *lowers head*

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much... and muy muy best wishes for both of you.. especially for Artemis finding a much more appreciative career place..

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

*hughuggles*... I really appreciate the caring sentiments you and Telbert have in your hearts... ^V^
and yesh.. I guess that's why we have to have some forms of regulation... or many people's and company's unchecked inclinations go toward exploit, rather than charity... :/

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

*warbles quietly... with grateful repose...*

[fareme.livejournal.com]

Don't be sorry - we all have our ups and downs. *hugs*

N'yeah.. it's a point I think about often. How we as humans can excuse one horrible action through some sort of justification but the same horrible action under different circumstances is not okay. It's not okay for a crazed psychopath to torture people - it's it IS okay for our own government to torture "the enemy". It's not okay for a random person to shoot and kill another random person but it IS okay for a US soldier to shoot and kill "the enemy". It's disgusting. It's all the same either way you look at it, and it should all be punishable the same. Really, I pray for the day that war will be outlawed because I think it will drastically affect our viewpoints on killing as a society.

[fareme.livejournal.com]

And again I've strayed a bit off topic. As far as your situation right now with your family, well.. it's as hard a road as any having to do with death. Perhaps someday doctors will realize it /is/ inhumane to let a person literally starve to death. But somehow I don't think I'll ever see it in my lifetime. Society is such a fickle thing to change and people balk against any drastic changes, and of course you'll have all the various religious groups protesting and such.
Sheesh. :/ Anyway.. hoping the best for you and yours still.

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

*cooos n fluffles gratefully for your multitudes of insights!* It'll be great ta meecha sometime, jus' like Lana has.. :> *peeps, n wingpats*

[makovette.livejournal.com]

:-(

Mako

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

thank ya for peekin' in, buddy...
She did ultimately find release from this mortal coil, just a few days after the posting... The rose in memory of her still is in bloom, on the table..

p.s.

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

I did what you said, and waited a few weeks before looking at the PDF... thank you so much... you are everything thoughtful, wrapped up in one llama. *hug*