This letter is in response to Tom Westman’s editorial "Dying With Dignity," in last week’s Advocate. I offer my sincere condolences for having to watch both his parents die a "slow and painful death" from cancer. No one should have to experience such a death, nor should anyone have to watch a loved one experience such suffering. We are fortunate that since that time medicine has made significant changes in how we today view the process of death and dying.
The author is wrong in stating that physicians are "dedicated to saving and extending lives." Extending life, in and of itself, is not a valid medical goal. I have had to tell numerous patients that they will die from their disease. I do not tell them that I will keep them alive as long as possible. Nor do I say that, "There is nothing more I can do for you." I do assure them that I will keep them comfortable and that I will be there to support both them and their family. Hospice staff and nurses as well as nursing home staff do a phenomenal job in seeing that this is done. There is no reason for anyone today to die in pain.
The author also asserts that resistance to physician assisted suicide is primarily a theological issue. Theology is, no doubt, relevant (Psalms 31:15 and Ecclesiastes 3:1 among many other references). Issues such as euthanasia (physician assisted suicide) and abortion are painted by the press as being primarily theological norms forced upon others without shared theological faiths. However, the majority of physicians, regardless of their religious affiliation, atheism, agnostics, etc., are against both abortion and euthanasia, not because of theology, but because these actions are contrary both to our Hippocratic oath and to the simple three little words I repeat to myself over and over again during the course of my daily work day: "Do no harm."
Regarding nursing homes, I agree that "I do not want my last years to be spent like this." To that end, I encourage all of my patients to watch their weight, eat a healthy diet, quit smoking, exercise, remain as active as you can. If, however, I do spend my last years in the nursing home, I hope that I can follow the example of my 94-year-old uncle who I visit in the nursing home every month. I leave those visits grateful for the legacy and example of those who have gone before me. That is his gift to me.