This is a running commentary on contemporary social, political and religious issues. From the Introduction of James Comey's book "A Higher Loyalty -- Truth, Lies and Leadership" "Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man's inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary" Reinhold Niebuhr
Friday, October 10, 2014
Choosing Life
Below is the story about the just-married young woman who is choosing to set the date of her own death because she has inoperable and the most seriously aggressive form of brain cancer with a medical prognosis of only six months to live. I concur with her controversial belief that she wants to set the time and modality of her death and has set it for November 1.
I have personally seen throughout my life insufferable things done in the name of "saving" a patient and I always wondered the eternal question: save that patient for what? I have strong feelings about the humongous money spent to extend not life but seemingly never-ending pain and suffering. I believe that to be a living death sentence in and of itself and out of the question for me. I have told those I love as well as those who handle my legal and medical affairs that I never want an extension at all costs of a suffering and painful life to be my fate.
It is a personal decision and I am understanding of those who would not do as the 29 year old woman will. I, though, support her decision and would choose death when choosing a quality-life free from pain and suffering is impossible to attain. I place the story about it here or below.
I also place below two books which I think are of great interest and, related to issues about which I have thought and about which, perhaps, pertain to the issue in question here. I hope (I say hope) to read them both.
http://www.msnbc.com/politicsnation/watch/woman-with-brain-cancer-chooses-to-die-339250243741?cid=sm_m_main_1_20141009_33180226
Author: Atul Gwande
"Being Mortal and What Matters in the End"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0805095152/ref=botm_bill_center_spotlight?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-2&pf_rd_r=09TMV9CFG6M1BYBKF5ZJ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1934209642&pf_rd_i=390919011
Author: Sam Harris
"Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality without Religion"
http://www.amazon.com/Waking-Up-Spirituality-Without-Religion/dp/1451636016/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412945559&sr=1-1&keywords=sam+harris+spirituality+without+religion
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