Terry Pratchett

Re: Terry Pratchett

Vicky RVN — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 22:39:02 GMT

[quote user="Steph Worsley"]

I have always wondered why we can do the kind thing to our animals and put them out of their misery.....yet we can't do it for our nearest and dearest who we are meant to love more than anything/anyone else.

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I totally agree. The last time I saw my nan was a few hours before she died, she was in a hospice riddled with cancer. One of the organs affected was the lungs. I will never never forgot the sound of her 'drowning'...it was horrible. I walked out of that room and was so so angry that they couldn't just inject her and let her go there and then, she'd had so much suffering and that was the final straw. If only euthanasia was an option is situations like that.

Re: Terry Pratchett

Steph Worsley — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:25:35 GMT

I didn't watch last night, but will try and catch it soon.

However my parents and I have discussed this sort of thing before, we have had family members suffer through agonising end stage cancer and MS as well as dementia and we have all said that we would not want to end up reliant on everyone for everything.

Re: Terry Pratchett

jamie — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:16:55 GMT

I dont think I have ever cried so much at a programme. Even later on in bed I was still having the odd sniffle. The wife of Peter was amazing, If that had been me I would have been very selfish and dragged him home. What really struck me was how (in my opinion) neither of these men were in a desperate state. I appreciate that they both would have got progressively worse but they seemed to take this option fairly early on. We all get asked on a fairly regular basis how we cope with euthanasia and my reply is often that 9 times out of 10 the patient is obviously suffering or quality of life has gone. I just felt that both these men still had all their wits about them.

Also the poor relatives left behind had to make a long journey home alone.....so so brave....

Re: Terry Pratchett

Caro Laithwaite VN — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:47:00 GMT

Not seen it don't need to.

Since Brian passed I have an advanced decision (living will) written by a lawyer. I have 2 advocates, have it lodged with them and lawyer and dr and an enclosed letter. I carry 2 DNR cards in my purse requesting just pain relief and sedation refusing ALL other help. I have discussed my wishes very clearly with my lawyer and advocates so there can be no misunderstanding. My lawyer says it may well be contested in court as l have very "encompassing" parameters hence all the back up with letters and advocates to speak for me.

I will review it yearly to check my feelings but it has always been so not just since Brian passed but we did nothing about it now l have.

Re: Terry Pratchett

Claire Coulthard RVN — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:54:52 GMT

ok- so i cried too.

a very controversial topic and a a very emotional time for those families involved. a very brave choice to allow the BBC to film.

clairex

Re: Terry Pratchett

NJ_VN — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:02:38 GMT

I completely agree, I missed the docu as i was on nightshift at work :( but as an obsessive Terry Practchett fan (If you havent read his books, i cannot reccomend them enough!) ive watched several interviews on his views on the subject. Hopefully ill catch it on BBC Iplayer if i get a free min!

Its such a sad fact that we can allow our animals to die painlessly and with dignity, yet allow people to suffer with no quality of life. I feel most sorry for the people who so desperately want it to end,but have neither the money nor the means to go to Dignitas. It would be so much better if there was a system in place here, where it can be administerd IV, and the patient can pass away peacefully.

Re: Terry Pratchett

Phrin Vernon RVN — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:11:07 GMT

What upset me was the noises the dying man made, whilst another woman comforted him.... his poor wife was in shock - it wasn't like the lovely cuddly story we heard about earlier, where the man died singing in his wifes arms....

With animals it is actually much more dignified IMHO.... An IV is placed - the loved one is held and cuddled by those closest to them, and then they go, painlessly, within 30 seconds at the longest.

Whilst I have the utmost respect for the lady who looked after Peter as he died, and understand why it was done via an oral solution rather than an IV, the fact remains, It could be done better, with less distress to family, if they adopted the method used for euthanasia in animals.... euthanasia means good death....

Re: Terry Pratchett

Phrin Vernon RVN — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:45:32 GMT

I'm rewatching it - I know how I would feel in her position - it just will not happen, he will not do it.

She did say 'If he says no, thats fine, we'll just come home' *smiled at her hub*

Maybe she didnt think it would really happen until it did..... which is just so heartbreaking...

Re: Terry Pratchett

Sal the 1st — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:35:16 GMT

yes she was incredibly strong to not only hold it together herself but to support her husband as well

Re: Terry Pratchett

Phrin Vernon RVN — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:30:04 GMT

How strong was Peters wife? Unbelievable..... Such a brave woman

Re: Terry Pratchett

Sal the 1st — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:22:50 GMT

[quote user="BengalcatRVN"]

My friend wonders if the chap with MS made his desision based on his lonliness and isolation, and wonders if things might be different if there was someone close with him.

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it did occur to me too - I think the doctor in the programme made a very valid point in that the decision of when to go can be easier for those leaving than those that are left behind. I can remember watching a programme a lot of years ago on Dutch euthanasia and they didnt really differentiate clearly between physical suffering and mental suffering (depression) as the basis for an acceptable reason for euthanasia and I suppose at the end of the day suffering is suffering what ever tag you hang on it.

Re: Terry Pratchett

Phrin Vernon RVN — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 22:44:23 GMT

His mum did seem to be there for him though - at least at the end..... But yes, that thought crossed my mind too

The wife of Peter was incredibly brave!

Re: Terry Pratchett

BengalcatRVN — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 22:36:39 GMT

My boyfriend wanted to watch this, I think I was more in tune with the telly than him. Very thought prevoking, and caused an incredably charged debate on newsnight. I won't lie, I cried at the end.

My friend wonders if the chap with MS made his desision based on his lonliness and isolation, and wonders if things might be different if there was someone close with him.

Re: Terry Pratchett

Phrin Vernon RVN — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 22:16:22 GMT

I agree - I just watched it too - strong stuff, and as you say very thought provoking.

I agree that those with painful terminal illness should be allowed to make the decision to pass away in their own home.

I found Terry's predicament with alzhiemers to be particularly upsetting - as he said - by the time he reaches the point it is time to go, he may no longer be able to speak and express that, and so he may be in a position where he has to choose to go too soon...