Everyone who believes in bodily autonomy should have the death with dignity discussion with friends and family before a life threatening illness strikes. It’s a process and one of the most important decisions a patient can make is about where to get care. Catholic health systems consider themselves ministries, which means they follow bishop rules that prohibit cooperation by their physicians with Death with Dignity.
Thank you for this. We need to expand it to include those with MCI diagnosis so they can make their wishes clear before the dementia diagnosis comes. This is going to become a huge deal as my generation enters our 80s
Thank for your story. My husband also chose to use DWD when his lung cancer was no longer treatable. We used a religious based hospice and also felt stymied. The process was made possible by going through the services offered by End of Life Choices Oregon and I am so grateful for the amazing, caring people who helped facilitate his passing. It was a beautiful experience that I will always cherish.
Thank you, Northwest Examiner, for publishing this story and Dr. Goldberg for writing and being willing to share it. You did a powerful and detailed job of articulating your experience and, despite being a long piece, it read like slicing through butter.
As a reporter for The Oregonian when the Death With Dignity Act became law in 1997, I was the first print journalist to follow several Oregonians as they pursued this now-legal option. The experience was profound in every possible way, including the extent to which there were safeguards built in.
It takes incredible courage to choose and orchestrate the timing of your death and requires a steadfast support system to navigate and execute the plan. I am impressed by you and your family's ability to support your wife's wishes, am glad she had a good death and am also so sorry for your loss.
Don, thank you for sharing Patty's deeply touching and yet uplifting story. Thank you for bringing clarity, hope and emotional immediacy to an issue that is relevant to so many of us.
A colleague in the New York senate applauded Hochul’s decision, noting “It’s not about shortening life. It’s about shortening death” (5). In opposition, the New York State Catholic Conference called the bill “egregious, intrinsically evil” (5).
Remarkable that a religious organization wants to lengthen someones death experience.
The article was made All the more powerful for me, Don, when I recognized that you and your wife were standing in the Place des Vosges in Paris where my wife and I spent our 40th wedding anniversary in 2019 and have revisited again last year. It’s not hard for me to place our faces In that picture and wonder what awaits us in the last 20% of our lives. Thank you for writing this. Although it must’ve been difficult to write, It is poignant and relevant made more so with the real people inside that story.
Thank you for your good information. I send you my heartfelt condolences. This is a very needed process for those who are wishing to not suffer any longer. Having gone through many deaths with lots of pain and suffering, I am grateful for your voice and Patty’s. May the memories created bring comfort in the coming months. 🥲🙏
This is a beautiful, well written story. Thank you Dr Goldberg and thanks to WW for publishing it.
Thank you for sharing your and Patty's journey, Dr. Goldberg.
Everyone who believes in bodily autonomy should have the death with dignity discussion with friends and family before a life threatening illness strikes. It’s a process and one of the most important decisions a patient can make is about where to get care. Catholic health systems consider themselves ministries, which means they follow bishop rules that prohibit cooperation by their physicians with Death with Dignity.
Thank you for this. We need to expand it to include those with MCI diagnosis so they can make their wishes clear before the dementia diagnosis comes. This is going to become a huge deal as my generation enters our 80s
Thank for your story. My husband also chose to use DWD when his lung cancer was no longer treatable. We used a religious based hospice and also felt stymied. The process was made possible by going through the services offered by End of Life Choices Oregon and I am so grateful for the amazing, caring people who helped facilitate his passing. It was a beautiful experience that I will always cherish.
Thank you, Northwest Examiner, for publishing this story and Dr. Goldberg for writing and being willing to share it. You did a powerful and detailed job of articulating your experience and, despite being a long piece, it read like slicing through butter.
As a reporter for The Oregonian when the Death With Dignity Act became law in 1997, I was the first print journalist to follow several Oregonians as they pursued this now-legal option. The experience was profound in every possible way, including the extent to which there were safeguards built in.
It takes incredible courage to choose and orchestrate the timing of your death and requires a steadfast support system to navigate and execute the plan. I am impressed by you and your family's ability to support your wife's wishes, am glad she had a good death and am also so sorry for your loss.
Thank you.
Don, thank you for sharing Patty's deeply touching and yet uplifting story. Thank you for bringing clarity, hope and emotional immediacy to an issue that is relevant to so many of us.
Thank you for sharing your story. While heartbreaking to read, it is also uplifting.
I appreciate your wonderful comments
Do
A colleague in the New York senate applauded Hochul’s decision, noting “It’s not about shortening life. It’s about shortening death” (5). In opposition, the New York State Catholic Conference called the bill “egregious, intrinsically evil” (5).
Remarkable that a religious organization wants to lengthen someones death experience.
The article was made All the more powerful for me, Don, when I recognized that you and your wife were standing in the Place des Vosges in Paris where my wife and I spent our 40th wedding anniversary in 2019 and have revisited again last year. It’s not hard for me to place our faces In that picture and wonder what awaits us in the last 20% of our lives. Thank you for writing this. Although it must’ve been difficult to write, It is poignant and relevant made more so with the real people inside that story.
Thank you for your good information. I send you my heartfelt condolences. This is a very needed process for those who are wishing to not suffer any longer. Having gone through many deaths with lots of pain and suffering, I am grateful for your voice and Patty’s. May the memories created bring comfort in the coming months. 🥲🙏