The Tragedy of Suicide

[Apologiaphoenix]

Are we celebrating suicide? http://deeperwaters.wordpress.com/20...dy-of-suicide/

[mossrose]

A good message, Nicky, thank you.

[Raphael]

A very good article Nick.

As many of you know about 2 months back we had my mother-in-law attempt suicide (was more of a attention/help me type) and we had my eldest brother's wife of 3 months actually commit suicide (it was the other type of attempt....she took so many pills that even if an ambulance had been on scene as she took them they would not have got her to the hospital in time), so this subject is pretty raw for me.

But I saw a recent post (I van't remember the source) talking about the fact that people used to stand bravely in the face of a terminal disease and say "you aren't getting me without a fight" (my eldest brother's first wife did that with cancer, she fought the bastard for 4 long years). Now we have this fatalism of "well if I'm gonna die it will be on my terms" (Maynard, Terry Pratchett has expressed the same and I read an article on Stuff.co.nz today about someone else declaring the same)

We seem to have lost this ideal that life is precious, and that it is worth fighting for even if it may be a loosing battle.

Source: Dylan Thomas

Do not go gentle into that good night

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

© Copyright Original Source

[KingsGambit]

I did feel for Brittany Maynard and I know it's easy for me here in my position to tell her don't do it. At the same time, God's rules are God's rules, and my understanding is there are sufficient painkillers available to prevent the stereotypical horrifically painful death.

[CMD]

...there are sufficient painkillers available to prevent the stereotypical horrifically painful death.

This is incorrect, unfortunately. I won't go into much detail, but I helped take care of my uncle when he had cancer, and despite all the pain meds, muscle relaxers, etc., his death involved horrific amounts of pain; especially the last couple of weeks of his life.

[Catholicity]

This is incorrect, unfortunately. I won't go into much detail, but I helped take care of my uncle when he had cancer, and despite all the pain meds, muscle relaxers, etc., his death involved horrific amounts of pain; especially the last couple of weeks of his life.

If the medicines are being administered without fear of addiction only comfort, they should be sufficient. I have administered hospice medication typically including morphine or some type of morphine analog, a strong concentrate benzodiazepene liquid, fentanyl patches, some had bupivicaine as well, an antipsychotic to be used as a muscle relaxant, typically in high dose concentrates for patients with cancer and usually one other drug for fever or pain (typically an anti inflammatory). The point is administration until pain relief or comfort and no fear of addiction if hospice is working correctly. Typically they will do more until sufficient relief is achieved and if not the physician and nurses are just plain crappy.

[Catholicity]

I'm going to add, neuroglioblastomas are rare and AWFUL! I've known two people to die of them. but neither passed in pain.

[Celebrian]

I'm going to add, neuroglioblastomas are rare and AWFUL! I've known two people to die of them. but neither passed in pain.

Yes, my mother died from GBM. I helped care for her, and she did not require much for pain.

My mother put up a good fight until the end. That's why I have a hard time thinking well of someone who just kills themselves.