WOW! Doody, I am glad you didn't edit your post. I am sorry to hear
of your pain , your sisters pain... Alffe's and curious' and all of you
who have lost a loved one. But, the stories need to be told. I sit
here shaking my head, wondering WHY as a society we are still kinder
to our animals than we are to each other.

I know that some doctors will give extra morphine, but they all don’t. And
When they do, is this not assisted suicide? My Grams was dying, and she was
suffering! The doctor said they had given her the maximum dose of morphine.
We had a friend who is a nurse in the hospital who stopped in to see us. Only
due to her influence was my Grams given more meds. The doctor said " you are
aware this will make her die faster" My reply.... yes! Do you have anything that
could make her die now? WHY would I want her pain continued?

Her 91 year old brother was dying... they stopped all food and liquid. Is this not
assisted suicide? It took him days and days to die! I remember listening to his
death rattle and just praying to God to take him. All the time wondering where
is the compassion? Why does he have to suffer so??!! 91 years on this Earth,
and THIS is how he has to leave?

Alffe, your comment about wanting to put a pillow over your brothers face
to quiet his screams I felt that exact same way with my uncle Stevie.
I know my Dad did as well. For 3 years he suffered ungodly pain. My father
suffered ungodly emotional pain watching him. I know with all that I am, this
is why my Dad took his life. If there had been a legal - merciful way to end
my uncles life, perhaps my Dad would still be here.

As you all know, Lynn has Alzheimer's ... I belong to a forum. Their stories
their personal hell is one I do not wish for Lynn. One lady, her husband was
in the fetal position for 3 years. A total vegetable just waiting for the time
when Alzheimer's would eventually claim him. 3 YEARS!

Another man, his wife has been able to say one word for over a year now.
One word, and she screams it over and over. HELP!!! Oh hell no!!
I don't want that for the man I love!

I keep thinking about my Dad. I remember sharing this story with you before..
He told me after his last battle with cancer, he talked to me, sharing a
story about how one night, years before, when his dog was dying, and in
such great pain, that they wouldn't make it to the vet, he recalled how he
had to shoot his beloved pet, to stop his suffering.
He then said to me.......................................
I wish someone loved me enough to do that.

I think on that now.. and the pain is so great, unbearable. If I had known that
one day I would see my brother drive in my yard... that I would rush to the door
with a smile on my face and joy in my heart....... Only to open that door and see
unmasked, raw grief on his face... followed by the words….
"Nik... Nik... Oh God Nikki!! Dad..... killed himself............

If I had but known the cancer was back.... If I had but known how great
his suffering was..... had he told me his plans... had he asked me then to
help him......I know now I would have helped my Dad take his life. ...
It would have been unbelievably hard..... but by no means, as hard as this!!!
I wish to God there was a way I could have helped him. I wish there was a
way we could treat our loved ones with the same compassion we show our
pets. I could have held my Dad.... I could have whispered I love yous as he
left this world. But no.... no, now I am faced living in this hell...