End of Life Issues
Related: About this forumFound out my friend took the death with dignity drugs on thanksgiving
I knew it was coming. I posted a couple weeks ago about it. A friend who lived close to him texted me last night. I wasnt surprised, he hadnt answered my last couple texts. Im just glad I got to see him. I went up there and spent almost a week. He looked pretty bad, lost a lot of weight and all his hair. He was pretty depressed but he seemed like his old self in a lot of ways the last couple days of my visit so I was glad I got to see him. Im glad its an option nowadays where I live. Like I said, Ive read only about 20% of those who fill the prescription ever use it. He probably would have lasted another month or two if hed hung on but he was miserable so I admired his actions.
FalloutShelter
(12,746 posts)I hope your friend passed gently. His suffering has ended.
marble falls
(62,041 posts)Deuxcents
(19,694 posts)But you have your memories as thats all any of us have. I wish we had an option with dignity when the time comes. I wish peace for you.
twodogsbarking
(12,228 posts)You cared. That counts more than all else.
Sadness is natural but be proud of yourself.
Fla Dem
(25,679 posts)Onlyserious
(105 posts)I wish my dogs (we're on our third generation of multiple rescues) could do for me what I've done for them--at the point of being unable to alleviate suffering, let me go.
Vets have more compassion than anyone.
twodogsbarking
(12,228 posts)And the people that work there too. Thanks for the comment.
robbob
(3,636 posts)Daisy lost the use of her back legs and was using a doggy wheelchair for the last 2 years of her life. She still loved her walk and was energetic, alert, and curious about the world. Then her front legs gave out, she couldnt even stand in her wheelchair. All she could do was lay on her bed.
Id take her for car rides and make a bed up at window level so she could stick her head out. I realized finally she had no quality of life left. It was awful; she was in no pain and still had all her curiosity and love for life.
I told my vet she was terrified of going there. He offered to meet me in the park beside his clinic, which we did in downtown Montreal, and as the sun was setting he came out and administered the medication that ended her suffering. Hardest day of my life.
erronis
(16,825 posts)And the excellent vet.
robbob
(3,636 posts)It means a lot to me. And yes, he was an incredible friend. He also helped a lot in bringing me to the point where I came to peace with knowing I had to let her go.
KPN
(16,101 posts)a great companion and life partner for Daisy. Speaking from experience, Im sure it was the hardest day of your life as you said. But also what a wonderful, caring vet you and Daisy were so lucky to have. That vet is a saint.
robbob
(3,636 posts)leftieNanner
(15,689 posts)It's particularly brutal when you euthanize a horse. Always the last resort and always kinder than letting them suffer.
mountain grammy
(27,271 posts)as I stroked my beloved friend while she closed her eyes and went to sleep forever.
Tetrachloride
(8,447 posts)My condolences.
secondwind
(16,903 posts)mountain grammy
(27,271 posts)both without doing any chemo, etc. They just let the disease progress and decided when they had enough. Family and friends respected their choices. I admire them both. I'm glad it's an option in Colorado.
MLAA
(18,598 posts)💕
CentralMass
(15,537 posts)LittleGirl
(8,433 posts)My mother passed away two months ago and would have loved to have that option. She refused treatment and was in hospice care for four months before she passed. Its downright disgraceful that we allow humans to suffer but put animals out of their misery at the end.
May his soul Rest In Peace.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)MollyMcG
(1 post)Hi. New Mexico passed the Elizabeth Whitefield End of Life Options Act this year so NM residents have access to Medical Aid in Dying.
Heartstrings
(7,349 posts)LakeArenal
(29,797 posts)My dad lived to see my mom, all his family and friends pass before him. Its such a lonely place.
Treasure the memories and say bon voyage to your friend.
Im glad you were able to see him.
pandr32
(12,165 posts)I watched my grandparents and father suffer (Grandpa with cancer, and Grandma with dementia and then pneumonia hooked up to a machine, and my father with cancer) and it brought the thoughts of end-of-life dying to a terror.
All three were slow.
My grandma was hooked up to that ventilator for over a week and she had tears in her eyes and made pitiful sounds the whole time. Many in the family couldn't stand to see her like that and stopped sitting with her--instead waiting at home for the final call. All three were in their eighties at the time of their deaths. My grandfather and then my father (years later) suffered the slow progression of cancer that took over their bodies and lives. There was no joy--just pain and the loss of any ability to attend one's own needs and functions. Their bodies wasted away until they were half their sizes.
There was no chance of a turn around for any of them.
We would not allow our pets to suffer this way.
BComplex
(9,074 posts)That should be available everywhere.
captain queeg
(11,780 posts)Ive read others posts about the vets. Had to have my dog put to sleep about 4 years ago. There were vets here who would come to the house. She put him to sleep and took his body away (he was about 100 lbs). That was nice for him, at home with his loved ones. Then I see the process for lethal injections of prisoners and wonder why its such a complicated process. My friend actually got a DWD prescription a couple years ago and it was too complicated, 3 steps. Fortunately before it finally happened they had changed the rules. I dont know what he took but it was 2 meds. The first one was supposed to put him into a coma within 5 minutes, the second he took at the same time and that actually killed him. I dont know the names of the meds. There was a death with dignity volunteer who sat with him till he passed then called a plain white van to get the body. He had it all arranged and paid for, theyd come and take his body to be cremated right away.
BComplex
(9,074 posts)on his own terms. I hope I can make it to Washington or Oregon if I ever face the issue!
captain queeg
(11,780 posts)Good egg
(27 posts)Texaswitchy
(2,962 posts)Especially when they have a illness that makes life their miserable.
May your friend be at peace.
I had a dear friend who had cancer, terminal.
The end would have been brutal.
She connections to the right drugs, and passed when she was ready.
I knew the time was coming.
We had a little party before she left us, we all knew what was happening.
We left, she left.
At peace.
We spread her ashes as requested.
I_UndergroundPanther
(12,934 posts)He was in pain,my other cats Rustle,Vinnie and Sparkle kept watch over him. Last day before the trip to the vet I gave him a whole can of red salmon.
It made me cry when he shared it together with Sparkle Rustle and Vinny.
The vet was not a scary place to my cats. So the vets didnt freak him out.
I held him in my arms kissing him until he passed,his precious fur was soaked.
I brought Bigfoot home
And he was in the carrier.
I set him down on the floor.
Vinny,Rustle and Sparkle lined up near the box.
They walked in one by one to pay respects to Bigfoot who lay there wrapped in a towel.
Never saw cats do that before.
Whenever a cat of mine dies I am heart sick for a very long time. Bigfoot had a burial worthy of a pharoh.
Texaswitchy
(2,962 posts)One day one was hit by a car and died in the driveway
The other cats all family formed a circle around the dead cat.
They knew.
They stayed for about an hour and then walked away.
My friends and I buried the cat in the front flower bed.
The other cats came to the funeral.
Animals know.
Duppers
(28,246 posts)Pets are family--grief is intense.
You're a woderful cat mom.
Stuart G
(38,726 posts)Layzeebeaver
(1,865 posts)we all need the right.
but regardless, may peace be within you and may your memories last forever.
Duppers
(28,246 posts)For all people.
Gore1FL
(21,883 posts)It sucks when the best choice is terrible.
Dark n Stormy Knight
(10,026 posts)with treatment-resistant depression.
ancianita
(38,514 posts)You were a loving friend. Thank you for sharing this.