Death with dignity

I was present this past summer, as caregiver, to my 80-year-old brother-in-law.

He had just learned that he had Stage 4 glioblastoma, situated just behind the optic nerve. With some type of medical intervention, he might have had six months to live, but the quality of his life would decrease. Without treatment, he had less than three months.

I watched him as he went through three interviews regarding his mental ability to make the decision to end his own life. He spent several days out in his beautiful garden, sitting in the sun and pondering his reality of quantity versus quality.

I watched him as he went from joining me at the dinner table able to feed himself to within eight days laying in bed, at home, unable to feed himself or even get out of bed.

He lost the ability to see his beautiful garden, take a shower, feed or toilet himself.

It was humiliating for him.

A previous writer to this paper stated, “It takes courage to do the right thing.” I agree, and was at my brother-in-law’s bedside when he drank the “cocktail” that ended his life. It was a beautiful and peaceful transition from this life to the next, on his terms, in the company of loving family and friends.

If you have not personally witnessed this option for those who have six months or less to live, I would suggest you try to learn more about the process. I support this bill in allowing people to die with dignity.

Lauree Harp

Arlington Heights