Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye!
See Note: A friend of 15 years chose euthanasia over cancer53 total reviews
Comment from karenina
What a powerful write...what a horrible situation...to choose to die a slow and painful demise or to take control and end one's life on one' s own terms. As a nurse you'd think it'd be clear for me... Not so much. I have seen too many patients kept "alive" only in that they are breathing and reacting to intractable pain and the brain's certainty of inevitable death. Can it be a slippery slope, this euthanasia thing? It could be--- a family member or other acquaintance could try their best to hasten a death by urging euthanasia as a choice. Still, in circumstances such as you describe it seems to me less pain and more control is sanity defined. Thank you for so elegantly presenting the issue and stirring thought and perhaps debate...
Karenina
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2018
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What a powerful write...what a horrible situation...to choose to die a slow and painful demise or to take control and end one's life on one' s own terms. As a nurse you'd think it'd be clear for me... Not so much. I have seen too many patients kept "alive" only in that they are breathing and reacting to intractable pain and the brain's certainty of inevitable death. Can it be a slippery slope, this euthanasia thing? It could be--- a family member or other acquaintance could try their best to hasten a death by urging euthanasia as a choice. Still, in circumstances such as you describe it seems to me less pain and more control is sanity defined. Thank you for so elegantly presenting the issue and stirring thought and perhaps debate...
Karenina
Comment Written 10-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2018
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Hey Karenina... so much wisdom in your response... It truly is a slippery slope. This particular choice was done by a fully cognizant human being who had lived life beyond what many could only dream... His choice was his... and it was tragic and brave at the same time. I don't want to live on a machine. That I know... Your response really made me think kiddo very well thought out and so much heart... thanks for this wonderful review... it meant the world. yours, diana
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So glad it meant something to you...
I think about myown choices should I find myself, as you say, on a machine...
Comment from Y. M. Roger
Oh, Di -- you left me with tears today. What a beautiful tribute to such an important person in your life -- be sure, somehow, that someone in his family receives a copy of this.....it means so very much to family left behind to know what their loved ones meant to someone. Even if you don't know them, they should know that you knew and loved him. :)
Thank you so very much for sharing your heart with us -- I think I'll go have my glass of wine now. Blessings to you over there on the Coast! Yvette
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2018
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Oh, Di -- you left me with tears today. What a beautiful tribute to such an important person in your life -- be sure, somehow, that someone in his family receives a copy of this.....it means so very much to family left behind to know what their loved ones meant to someone. Even if you don't know them, they should know that you knew and loved him. :)
Thank you so very much for sharing your heart with us -- I think I'll go have my glass of wine now. Blessings to you over there on the Coast! Yvette
Comment Written 10-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2018
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Hey Y.M. Roger... Thanks so much for such a thoughtful, thorough stellar/plus-one review and you just left me speechless with your stellar review. thanks so much and I'm humbled. I'm very sad that I made you sad... Next poem will be happy! Again thanks. Yours, diana
Comment from Zue65
How tragic, to die at your own hands. I don't know if I can call that euthanasia,?Perhaps it is more of suicide. Would it be an assisted murder on the part of the friend who helped your friend end his life. Cancer is frightening definitely. Thanks for sharing your poem.
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2018
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How tragic, to die at your own hands. I don't know if I can call that euthanasia,?Perhaps it is more of suicide. Would it be an assisted murder on the part of the friend who helped your friend end his life. Cancer is frightening definitely. Thanks for sharing your poem.
Comment Written 10-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2018
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Hey nassus... Thanks so much for such a thoughtful, thorough review and you just left me speechless with your stellar review. thanks so much and I'm humbled. Yours, diana
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written heartfelt and sad poem. It is not an easy choice but when our quality of life is affected by illness that seems to go in one direction it seems to be the most humane thing to do.
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2018
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A very well-written heartfelt and sad poem. It is not an easy choice but when our quality of life is affected by illness that seems to go in one direction it seems to be the most humane thing to do.
Comment Written 10-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2018
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Hey Sandra... Thanks so much for such a thoughtful, thorough review and you just left me speechless with your stellar review. thanks so much and I'm humbled. Yours, diana
Comment from SarahPenn1
This is a very honest piece, it is brave of you to talk about your life experiences- kudos to you, and it is nice that you supported his decision
Some people come into our lives to teach us a lesson- other's are the lesson.
It sounds like you were lucky to know him
Thanks for posting
S
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2018
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This is a very honest piece, it is brave of you to talk about your life experiences- kudos to you, and it is nice that you supported his decision
Some people come into our lives to teach us a lesson- other's are the lesson.
It sounds like you were lucky to know him
Thanks for posting
S
Comment Written 10-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2018
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Hey Madforevol... Thanks so much for such a thoughtful, thorough review and you just left me speechless with your stellar review. thanks so much and I'm humbled. Yours, diana
Comment from BeasPeas
A very good poem, Diana. Your writing kept me engaged throughout. Great word choices, many good lines and nuances to your relationship, reading between the lines. Sorry I'm out of sixes. I'm so sorry you lost your friend. I think self-euthanasia is a great idea. After all, we do it to put animals out of their misery--are humans any less worthy? Marilyn
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2018
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A very good poem, Diana. Your writing kept me engaged throughout. Great word choices, many good lines and nuances to your relationship, reading between the lines. Sorry I'm out of sixes. I'm so sorry you lost your friend. I think self-euthanasia is a great idea. After all, we do it to put animals out of their misery--are humans any less worthy? Marilyn
Comment Written 10-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2018
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Hey Marilyn... This is a poem that I've had some false starts with and finally decided to complete... It is a very touchy and delicate situation to write about euthanasia... to post on this site... But, I have promised myself to be fearless even though sometimes when I press send it makes me uncomfortable... Because we have had any experiences in life doesn't mean we condone or don't condone... it is just life that faces us every day. thanks so much yours, diana
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You're welcome. Euthanasia is a personal choice. No one can judge that decision because we haven't been in the spot--not yet anyway. I agree with you--we have to write what we want and how anyone else perceives our words is up to them. Marilyn
Comment from dragonpoet
This is a sad story for you, him and his family and other friends. I hope you were able to attend his funeral in Budapest. Seemed he taught you a lot and you were close friends.
Keep writing
Joan
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2018
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This is a sad story for you, him and his family and other friends. I hope you were able to attend his funeral in Budapest. Seemed he taught you a lot and you were close friends.
Keep writing
Joan
Comment Written 10-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2018
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We were the best of friends... Thanks sweet dragonpoet... I was not able to attend. But, I had my own wake with my friends for him at home. thanks kiddo. yours, diana
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That was very thoughtful. You're welcome.
Joan
Comment from kahpot
What a beautiful yet very sad story, combined with the strength and will to live and end one's life the way they deserve, a very touching poem that must have been hard to write, Thank you for sharing this****kahpot
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2018
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What a beautiful yet very sad story, combined with the strength and will to live and end one's life the way they deserve, a very touching poem that must have been hard to write, Thank you for sharing this****kahpot
Comment Written 10-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2018
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For one... I would never have the courage and it isn't on my radar for life. thanks kiddo. yours, diana
Comment from Shanbreen
Great poem Art and so well written. "You plate our last desert," and "deafening and silent." Bravo. Whether one believes in euthanasia or not is simply irrelevant in light of what you have produced. Well done.
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2018
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Great poem Art and so well written. "You plate our last desert," and "deafening and silent." Bravo. Whether one believes in euthanasia or not is simply irrelevant in light of what you have produced. Well done.
Comment Written 10-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2018
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He Shanbreen... I once had a poet friend who said if you want to write slit your wrists and bleed on the page... right or wrong... I'm deeply humbled by your stellar/plus-one review but even more so by the fact you understood that life has many sides and sometimes we are faced with reality. I wanted the voice to tell the truth... Every time I post something this honest I cringe. Thanks so much and again I'm grateful for your thoughts. Yours, diana
Comment from Dean Kuch
Because of my religious upbringing and what I was raised to believe about suicide, I would be afraid to succumb to my disease and be euthanized, no matter how horrible the pain might be.
Of course, that's easy for someone like me to say--someone who feels fairly healthy from a physical standpoint and isn't in mind-numbing pain all of the time, I mean.
Interesting story, Di, and the rhyme scheme--an abca pattern featured in each stanza--was just as interesting.
So sad...
~Dean
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2018
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Because of my religious upbringing and what I was raised to believe about suicide, I would be afraid to succumb to my disease and be euthanized, no matter how horrible the pain might be.
Of course, that's easy for someone like me to say--someone who feels fairly healthy from a physical standpoint and isn't in mind-numbing pain all of the time, I mean.
Interesting story, Di, and the rhyme scheme--an abca pattern featured in each stanza--was just as interesting.
So sad...
~Dean
Comment Written 10-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 10-Jul-2018
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Hey Dean... I always hesitate on this site to write anything raw and true... It sometimes steps on sensibilities... It is not my belief that euthanasia is the answer. and like you said not being in his body. but, he was a very spiritual guy read the Bible every night and still made up his mind. Thanks sweetie as always. yours, diana
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You're more than welcome and I'm so sorry about your friend.
~Dean
