Comments on: Your Voice: Facing death with dignity, saying no to futile care

By: Rajendra

Rajendra — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:13:14 +0000

The hospitals are there only to make money. They just fool us that our relative will be cured within a short period of time. Even knowing that there is no cure for the patient, they fooling the relatives by making false promises, just to fatten the medical bill. God save the poor patients from the clutches of these so called doctors & hospitals. Amen

By: mary bentley

mary bentley — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 16:19:58 +0000

I agree totally with the July post of Susan Blogden! My Mother died a horrendous
death, laying there helplessly whil cancer ate her body away, she also had
COPD, and numerous other medical conditions. When Family could no
longer care for her, she was then shipped to a hospital whereby her care
was questionable (at least) & indescribably cruel at one point. This way in
a larger hospital, and in a larger city. She was then moved to “the best”
nursing home in the city, where she was put in a room with a raving lunatic
who screamed constantly and threatened my Mother! I suppose the woman
had alzheimers (sp.), however, when we asked for a room change we we’re
told “there are no other rooms available”, so my Mother spent her remaining
hrs., days, in this room with this un-medicated crazed woman creaming at
her bedside. This is inexcusable! And to make matters worse, “Hospice”
was supposed to be in charge of her care! Many lies, many excuses, etc.
No real compassion! When my time comes, if I’m aware of it- I will take care
of it MYSELF. Thank you, Mary Bentley

By: Charlotte Hennessy

Charlotte Hennessy — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 19:54:54 +0000

I have typed a comment (see above)

By: Charlotte Hennessy

Charlotte Hennessy — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 19:53:41 +0000

This is an eloquent and relevant article. We must strive to embrace this attitude and be realistic as well as compassionate where end of life issues are concerned. It’s ironic that what should always have been (acceptance of the natural cycle of life) will no doubt come about because we can no longer, as a society, afford to do otherwise. Let compassion, realism, pragmatism, and maybe even a belief that our spirit will survive our physical demise, guide us in doing what we should have been doing all along: letting go when it is our time to go.

By: mary ann graeve

mary ann graeve — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 14:06:22 +0000

I certainly value your stories of taking control of our own deaths. being able to listen to medical advice and then have our choices honored.