I went through the dying process with my father. It was death by natural causes, but the process was as you described. He was not conscious and the process of his body and organs shutting down took several hours. It was harder on the living than the dying, but I am so grateful that I was able to be there with him through the transition. It made me think of the process of labor that brings us into this world and it seemed like a laboring process to leave it. That experience will stay with me as long as I live. You were a very good friend to Robert.
Thanks for telling this story, Peter. One update is that the legislature has created a faster path for people in cases where death is imminent. Here's what is posted on the OHA website:
Q: Are there any exemptions to the waiting periods in the DWDA?
A: Starting January 1, 2020, patients are exempt from any waiting period that exceeds their life expectancy. Patients with less than 15 days to live are exempt from the 15-day waiting period between the first and second oral requests for medication. Patients with less than 48 hours to live are exempt from the 48-hour waiting period between the patient’s written request and the writing of the DWDA prescription. The Attending Physician must file a medically confirmed certification of the imminence of the patient’s death with the patient’s medical record if any of the statutory waiting periods are not completed.
I, along with her closest friend and sister sat with my late wife in her last hours, precipitated by a very painful 6 months of Chemo. Thanks be to Hospice, who provided us with the morphine to keep the extreme pain away as her organs shut down over a 6 or 7 hour period. As I and others spoke to her and held her hands, I'm convinced she was aware we were there, even as she slipped away. As Denise has noted, it was harder on us than, but I'm eternally grateful that it occurred the way it did.
As a nurse I've witnessed people suffering greatly from their illnesses & the treatments for such illnesses as well. Doing CPR on someone in their 90's who has been very ill has been very traumatizing for all involved when decisions about how we want our deaths to be are never considered. This is so compassionate & beautiful, to spend one's last moments in a loving, caring & comfortable way with one's beloveds with you. Bless Robert's life & condolences for your dear friend's transition, done with dignity & beauty. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing this story Peter. I am a proponent of Death with Dignity. I find it reassuring that you were willing and able to help your friend. Ellen Baird (Penny’s friend).
I went through the dying process with my father. It was death by natural causes, but the process was as you described. He was not conscious and the process of his body and organs shutting down took several hours. It was harder on the living than the dying, but I am so grateful that I was able to be there with him through the transition. It made me think of the process of labor that brings us into this world and it seemed like a laboring process to leave it. That experience will stay with me as long as I live. You were a very good friend to Robert.
Thanks for telling this story, Peter. One update is that the legislature has created a faster path for people in cases where death is imminent. Here's what is posted on the OHA website:
Q: Are there any exemptions to the waiting periods in the DWDA?
A: Starting January 1, 2020, patients are exempt from any waiting period that exceeds their life expectancy. Patients with less than 15 days to live are exempt from the 15-day waiting period between the first and second oral requests for medication. Patients with less than 48 hours to live are exempt from the 48-hour waiting period between the patient’s written request and the writing of the DWDA prescription. The Attending Physician must file a medically confirmed certification of the imminence of the patient’s death with the patient’s medical record if any of the statutory waiting periods are not completed.
We all should be so lucky to have such a caring friend.
I, along with her closest friend and sister sat with my late wife in her last hours, precipitated by a very painful 6 months of Chemo. Thanks be to Hospice, who provided us with the morphine to keep the extreme pain away as her organs shut down over a 6 or 7 hour period. As I and others spoke to her and held her hands, I'm convinced she was aware we were there, even as she slipped away. As Denise has noted, it was harder on us than, but I'm eternally grateful that it occurred the way it did.
Thank you, Peter.
Would that every one of us had such a caring and compassionate friend as you.
As a nurse I've witnessed people suffering greatly from their illnesses & the treatments for such illnesses as well. Doing CPR on someone in their 90's who has been very ill has been very traumatizing for all involved when decisions about how we want our deaths to be are never considered. This is so compassionate & beautiful, to spend one's last moments in a loving, caring & comfortable way with one's beloveds with you. Bless Robert's life & condolences for your dear friend's transition, done with dignity & beauty. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Peter, for your courage and willingness to share this experience. You have demonstrated that you were a good and true friend.
Deep thanks for this, Peter, as a hospital chaplain and human.
Peter, you did a good thing for a friend. You were there to the end. You helped Bob.
Peter
Your Friday post really touched our hearts.
Thank you
Dutch and Zofia
Thank you for sharing this story Peter. I am a proponent of Death with Dignity. I find it reassuring that you were willing and able to help your friend. Ellen Baird (Penny’s friend).
A very loving journey. Thank you, Peter.