Living while dying
Reflecting on (2nd place, Story of the Month)29 total reviews
Comment from patcelaw
This is a very timely writing about the end of life. I am approaching 85 years of age and I have told my children that if I get to the point where I can no longer care for myself and I'm terribly uncomfortable to just keep me as comfortable as possible, but let God have his way and I know that he will give me the grace at the very end. Patricia.
reply by the author on 03-Apr-2023
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This is a very timely writing about the end of life. I am approaching 85 years of age and I have told my children that if I get to the point where I can no longer care for myself and I'm terribly uncomfortable to just keep me as comfortable as possible, but let God have his way and I know that he will give me the grace at the very end. Patricia.
Comment Written 03-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 03-Apr-2023
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What a fabulous attitude, a testimony to all that you trust Him! I wouldn?t have thought you were nearing 85, I would have thought about 65!! Thank you for sharing, and for the six wonderful stars. Greatly appreciated. It?s an honour.
Wendy
Comment from damommy
I don't believe we have the right to take our own life. Life is a gift from God, and deciding when to end it must surely be a slap in God's face. That's just my opinion, but I believe suicide is the ultimate sin since we cannot ask for forgiveness later.
reply by the author on 03-Apr-2023
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I don't believe we have the right to take our own life. Life is a gift from God, and deciding when to end it must surely be a slap in God's face. That's just my opinion, but I believe suicide is the ultimate sin since we cannot ask for forgiveness later.
Comment Written 03-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 03-Apr-2023
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Thank you for your very thoughtful review. I agree a hundred percent. He is just ignored in all discussions about life and death as though He didn?t exist or have any rights. Thank you so much for reviewing - very much appreciated.
Wendy
Comment from Rdfrdmom2
Wendy G:
I think what you refer to in this well-written piece is what I refer to as Hospice Care in the United States. Hospice care was provided for
my mom in her home for the last 6.5 months of her life. There was a time about 4 months into it that my mom begged me to end her life. While I did not succumb to the temptation, I would be less than honest if I said I did not seriously consider it. I think we are so much kinder to our animals at these times than we are to humans.
Jan
reply by the author on 03-Apr-2023
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Wendy G:
I think what you refer to in this well-written piece is what I refer to as Hospice Care in the United States. Hospice care was provided for
my mom in her home for the last 6.5 months of her life. There was a time about 4 months into it that my mom begged me to end her life. While I did not succumb to the temptation, I would be less than honest if I said I did not seriously consider it. I think we are so much kinder to our animals at these times than we are to humans.
Jan
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 03-Apr-2023
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Thank you very much Jan. I understand a little of what your mother went through, and it is a very difficult and horrid journey. I hope that the hospice care made a positive difference. Somehow, I feel there is less chance of corruption sneaking in for animals, as people have less to gain from their deaths. I don't trust people, who usually have no concern for God, to always make wise decisions, and with eternal life at stake there is no room for error. I tend to err on the side of caution, hard as that is when one sees a loved one suffering. Many thanks for your very kind and compassionate review, and also for the six stars. It's an honour I appreciate.
Wendy
Comment from Paul McFarland
You have touched on a matter that is handled a number of different ways in the fifty states. I regularly visit the boss that I sat beside for over forty years. He is at the end of the road, and I don't know what he thinks regarding his last months on this earth. At the present time, I believe that a person should have the right to end his own life if he is suffering. When it comes my time, I may feel differently.
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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You have touched on a matter that is handled a number of different ways in the fifty states. I regularly visit the boss that I sat beside for over forty years. He is at the end of the road, and I don't know what he thinks regarding his last months on this earth. At the present time, I believe that a person should have the right to end his own life if he is suffering. When it comes my time, I may feel differently.
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Thank you Paul for reviewing. I appreciate it a lot. (I think I would likely be tempted to want to, but not have the courage.) Sometimes I think that living on in pain, lingering, with perhaps inability to walk, talk, and difficulties seeing and hearing - but no recognised terminal illness with an endpoint in sight would be worse than knowing that one has a limit eg six to twelve months. Whichever way one looks at it, the dying process is not easy!
Wendy
Comment from Julie Lau
5 stars for impeccable writing, as always, and you have brought a very real and complex problem to the forefront. However, bringing the god factor in to a bunch of enlightened, extremely well-educated professionals? Sorry, but that explains their attitudes towards you. Yours, Julie
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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5 stars for impeccable writing, as always, and you have brought a very real and complex problem to the forefront. However, bringing the god factor in to a bunch of enlightened, extremely well-educated professionals? Sorry, but that explains their attitudes towards you. Yours, Julie
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Thanks Julie. A very thoughtful review, which I appreciate. It was my fellow Palliative Care workers not the professionals who didn?t seem to notice the potential flaws in the legislation as it is. I too am a well educated professional but I don?t think that precludes me from holding a Christian perspective. I don?t see enlightened as being the prerogative of non Christians. The Christian viewpoint is just as legitimate as any, but my point was there was no awareness that there could be another valid viewpoint. It?s a necessary conversation for all to have with no judgment either way. But there are flaws in the way it is being set up, which the enlightened professionals admit. They just say "we haven?t worked through that yet". Thanks again for the thoughtful review.
Wendy
Comment from barbara.wilkey
AMEN!!! I feel we are taking God out of so many things, and this is just another area where God is NOT considered. I also believe it is a money issue. Money seems to come into effect so often. I had heard about this is Canada and now in Australia. It is not a good thing, in my opinion.
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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AMEN!!! I feel we are taking God out of so many things, and this is just another area where God is NOT considered. I also believe it is a money issue. Money seems to come into effect so often. I had heard about this is Canada and now in Australia. It is not a good thing, in my opinion.
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Thank you Barbara. Money plus false reassurance, plus fear of pain, plus the ongoing issue of what people consider to be their rights- without God. I think of ?You are not your own, you were bought with a price?. I greatly appreciate your review. Thank you.
Wendy
Comment from Ginda Simpson
God bless you, Wendy, for your willingness to speak up and be a voice for those who are suffering, whose pain may lead them to forget that God has a plan and will not forsake them. You are absolutely right about the fact that we live in a world where the power of God has been forgotten. There is His miraculous love for us, His promise, His Light for each and every one of us. You have written very honestly and clearly about the issues involved in VAD and I hope you will submit this to as many audiences as you can. Blessings, always.
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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God bless you, Wendy, for your willingness to speak up and be a voice for those who are suffering, whose pain may lead them to forget that God has a plan and will not forsake them. You are absolutely right about the fact that we live in a world where the power of God has been forgotten. There is His miraculous love for us, His promise, His Light for each and every one of us. You have written very honestly and clearly about the issues involved in VAD and I hope you will submit this to as many audiences as you can. Blessings, always.
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Thank you Ginda. They are advocating this for people in your husband?s situation. How terrible. They say that while the "conversation" should be had with family, it is the individual who has the right to choose. Very hard on family members if they choose VAD. So distressing. I am sure you will have a hard road ahead, but equally sure that God will walk with you both as you seek to honour Him and support your husband in whatever time he has left, either short or long. It can be a beautiful and enriching time. It?s the same for all of us, every day a choice whether to please and serve God or simply take the easy way. So many want to ignore God and take the easy way rather than trust God. Thank you so much for your review.
Wendy
Comment from GWHARGIS
God hasn't reneged on his promise. We have shut the door in His face. Without God as a beacon of light, we scratch around in the darkness. It will remain that way too. I have to deal with hospice through the pharmacy. That is a virtual Godsend for both the dying and their family. Unfortunately, with most of medicine, it boils down to cost. To be controlled by those who make the laws, and the money. This was very sad and thought provoking. Gretchen
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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God hasn't reneged on his promise. We have shut the door in His face. Without God as a beacon of light, we scratch around in the darkness. It will remain that way too. I have to deal with hospice through the pharmacy. That is a virtual Godsend for both the dying and their family. Unfortunately, with most of medicine, it boils down to cost. To be controlled by those who make the laws, and the money. This was very sad and thought provoking. Gretchen
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Thank you for your very thoughtful review. It is a shame that cost comes into one's end of life experience. They haven't thought through these issues of equity and discrimination very well for those who do choose VAD either. One's values and ethics do come into play whichever way one thinks. Some people seem to think that a Christian viewpoint is what makes one open to ridicule, but this view is just as valid as any other and does not preclude one from seeing weaknesses in the implementation of VAD. Thank you again for your thoughtful review. I greatly appreciate the honour of six stars also. Very encouraging.
Wendy
Wendy
Comment from Ulla
Hi Wendy, this is a very controversial issue. I'm a non believer myself and I truly believe it should be up to every patient to decide whether God is involved or not. This should preferably be done at an early stage. It's becoming more and more common, at least in the western world to assist a dying person in this final step. Something I do agree with. I would like to have that choice. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Hi Wendy, this is a very controversial issue. I'm a non believer myself and I truly believe it should be up to every patient to decide whether God is involved or not. This should preferably be done at an early stage. It's becoming more and more common, at least in the western world to assist a dying person in this final step. Something I do agree with. I would like to have that choice. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Thank you. Yes, it is very controversial, and yes it is becoming more common and acceptable - which is why the legislation needs to deal well with the issues of accessibility and inclusivity if is to be equitable for all or just a few who manage to be able to make their choice at the right time. It is indeed a vexed question. Thank you for your thoughtful review - I appreciate it very much.
Wendy
Comment from Sally Law
Exceptional writing, Wendy dear. This is a difficult time, and Jesus said the end of days would be, and that they would be dark ones. We are the lights and the ones that question these practices and no doubt will be persecuted for it. We are already persecuted for it.
Standing up for the unborn child is much the same and gained me some verbal slaps and some real ones. I was at a prolife street rally once when a speeding car full of young women drove by and hit me hard with metal coat hangers. Thankfully I turned away and the side of my head took the blow, not my face. The Lord was obviously with me.
To stand for these things take courage and bravery. Like you said, more and more will want this and demand it.
In California and New York the abortion laws are continuing to be pushed past all reason to the point of bloodthirst. It's horrible, now extending past birth and into to crib. The cruelty and inhumanity rolled into the iron fist of abortion rights is sickening. Outside of the womb it's called Murder in the First-degree.
It will be the same with ethunasia if we don't stand up.
I admire your tender care for those going on from this world. I agree wholeheartedly and as a Christian trust God for the coming, living and going.
Sending you my best today as always.
Sal XOs
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Exceptional writing, Wendy dear. This is a difficult time, and Jesus said the end of days would be, and that they would be dark ones. We are the lights and the ones that question these practices and no doubt will be persecuted for it. We are already persecuted for it.
Standing up for the unborn child is much the same and gained me some verbal slaps and some real ones. I was at a prolife street rally once when a speeding car full of young women drove by and hit me hard with metal coat hangers. Thankfully I turned away and the side of my head took the blow, not my face. The Lord was obviously with me.
To stand for these things take courage and bravery. Like you said, more and more will want this and demand it.
In California and New York the abortion laws are continuing to be pushed past all reason to the point of bloodthirst. It's horrible, now extending past birth and into to crib. The cruelty and inhumanity rolled into the iron fist of abortion rights is sickening. Outside of the womb it's called Murder in the First-degree.
It will be the same with ethunasia if we don't stand up.
I admire your tender care for those going on from this world. I agree wholeheartedly and as a Christian trust God for the coming, living and going.
Sending you my best today as always.
Sal XOs
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Thank you Sally for your caring response. Thank you too for the valued six stars. You are right. It?s the other extreme of the same question- man/woman?s right to take life. It horrifies me to think of poor defenceless babies ( and foetuses, and further back to conception) losing their lives so mercilessly and horrifically. Society will be judged for such evil. Thank you for standing up against such practices. Much appreciated review.
Wendy
Wendy
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Most welcome. A brave and timely post. I'm blessed to stand with you. Sal XOs