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'I am mine': Alzheimer's at 41 (2018)

macleans.ca

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Re: 'I am mine': Alzheimer's at 41 (2018)

#81

Post by paulryanrogers »

asdfasgasdgasdg wrote: post #36
eastbayjake wrote: post #4

> Families of people with dementia land in different places on this issue, but to her, it’s beyond question that Jo is not here anymore; most everything that made him Jo has been stolen. This was very sad, but it's a good articulation of the circumstances where I would rather die than continue living. Has anyone seen a good framework to help think through scenarios like these as part of a will or end-of-life directiv…

I sort of feel the same? The main issue is I don't want my family to be burdened with the needs of a creature that looks like me and is continuous with me but isn't me. The suffering of that creature is a secondary concern, but also relevant. I don't think in the US or Canada there is any way to legally end your life at that point. Maybe nowhere in the world. You would need to end it while still competent. That would…

It's probably possible to chip yourself with a kind of dead-mans switch that releases poison if not acknowledged periodically.

Re: 'I am mine': Alzheimer's at 41 (2018)

#82

Post by danbmil99 »

paulryanrogers wrote: post #81
asdfasgasdgasdg wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I sort of feel the same? The main issue is I don't want my family to be burdened with the needs of a creature that looks like me and is continuous with me but isn't me. The suffering of that creature is a secondary concern, but also relevant. I don't think in the US or Canada there is any way to legally end your life at that point. Maybe nowhere in the world. You would need to end it while still competent. That would…

It's probably possible to chip yourself with a kind of dead-mans switch that releases poison if not acknowledged periodically.

I'm 61 and have PD. I'm planning to do exactly what you propose here.

I think the degree of suffering and misery that comes with death due to attitudes that are imposed on us by our Puritan Christian Heritage is a serious tragedy.

I can't think of a reasonable argument against my position. My body, my life, my decision. And I have the right to make that decision while I'm mentally competent, and have it respected if/when I'm not.

Re: 'I am mine': Alzheimer's at 41 (2018)

#83

Post by cko »

inglor_cz wrote: post #35
snicksnak wrote: post #3

There is also this story about Clouflares co-founder, Lee Holloway who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. [0] https://www.wired.com/story/lee-holloway-devastating-decline...

This is absolutely chilling to read.

Amazing story... the last paragraph made me tear up.

Re: 'I am mine': Alzheimer's at 41 (2018)

#84

Post by mrleiter »

JshWright wrote: post #75
mrleiter wrote: post #9

Jo sadly passed away shortly after this article was published. [1] RIP. [1] https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/they-came-to-celebrate-j...

The whole situation was terrible, but given the context, I wouldn't describe his passing as "sad" "Early one morning, a week and a half after Jo stopped eating, he peacefully exited the world with the people who loved him most by his side. He had not spent a single day in a hospital or long-term care facility."

Yes, maybe, I understand completely. Still, the final loss of a person, even if he wasn't himself anymore, is sad. It's the point of no return, the ultimate last step. Which I think to some degree is, always, sad.

That he died peacefully really is graceful.

Re: 'I am mine': Alzheimer's at 41 (2018)

#85

Post by girvo »

ficklepickle wrote: post #63
Andrew_nenakhov wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In most countries, it also puts said loved ones on the wrong side of the law. Better take care of it personally while you are still you.

Or extremely traumatized. I knew someone who had to do this and it didn't take the first time. It was unspeakably bad. Please never attempt euthanasia by overdose. It is error prone and messy. I think nitrogen is the most humane method I have seen proposed. Fortunately euthanasia is now legal here.

There’s ways to achieve it through overdose, but your average person will not have access to the medications that will all but ensure the outcome.

Re: 'I am mine': Alzheimer's at 41 (2018)

#86

Post by wdb »

mrleiter wrote: post #84
JshWright wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The whole situation was terrible, but given the context, I wouldn't describe his passing as "sad" "Early one morning, a week and a half after Jo stopped eating, he peacefully exited the world with the people who loved him most by his side. He had not spent a single day in a hospital or long-term care facility."

Yes, maybe, I understand completely. Still, the final loss of a person, even if he wasn't himself anymore, is sad. It's the point of no return, the ultimate last step. Which I think to some degree is, always, sad. That he died peacefully really is graceful.

One time I came to visit my dad in the care home, travelled home all the way from abroad. My dad was wandering outside in the garden and I was trying hard to remember the code of the gate to enter the facility. And then I heard it my dad calling my name. It’s was the greatest thing I heard. He hadn’t called me by name or recognised me in such manner for years. My siblings were jealous :)

Re: 'I am mine': Alzheimer's at 41 (2018)

#87

Post by wdb »

apple4ever wrote: post #57
snicksnak wrote: post #3

There is also this story about Clouflares co-founder, Lee Holloway who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. [0] https://www.wired.com/story/lee-holloway-devastating-decline...

My mom died of that at 67. And now I wait in fear it will happen to me too. That was a great article. Sad I missed the original discussion.

Yes, same for my dad, we could get tested for it, though. I prefer not too.

Re: 'I am mine': Alzheimer's at 41 (2018)

#88

Post by LocalH »

mrleiter wrote: post #84
JshWright wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The whole situation was terrible, but given the context, I wouldn't describe his passing as "sad" "Early one morning, a week and a half after Jo stopped eating, he peacefully exited the world with the people who loved him most by his side. He had not spent a single day in a hospital or long-term care facility."

Yes, maybe, I understand completely. Still, the final loss of a person, even if he wasn't himself anymore, is sad. It's the point of no return, the ultimate last step. Which I think to some degree is, always, sad. That he died peacefully really is graceful.

My opinion is that death doesn't have to be sad. That's all a matter of perspective. It shouldn't necessarily be celebrated (death itself, not the person who died), but it does help to remember that often times, death means the end of suffering and pain.

Re: 'I am mine': Alzheimer's at 41 (2018)

#89

Post by djohnston »

soared wrote: post #80
djohnston wrote: post #25

One of medicine's most elementary failings is providing a reasonable framework for death in these diagnoses. I have to suspect the inability to die on one's terms stems from the economic incentives of powerful interests who profit from housing these patients for years, sometimes decades. My grandfather died like this of Alzheimers. My dad vowed to not follow his path should it come to that.

OP mistyped, fixed: One of medicine's most elementary failings is [not] providing a reasonable framework for death in these diagnoses.

yep, thanks for noting

Re: 'I am mine': Alzheimer's at 41 (2018)

#90

Post by mrleiter »

LocalH wrote: post #88
mrleiter wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, maybe, I understand completely. Still, the final loss of a person, even if he wasn't himself anymore, is sad. It's the point of no return, the ultimate last step. Which I think to some degree is, always, sad. That he died peacefully really is graceful.

My opinion is that death doesn't have to be sad. That's all a matter of perspective. It shouldn't necessarily be celebrated (death itself, not the person who died), but it does help to remember that often times, death means the end of suffering and pain.

True!
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