aroughhhhhhh....how could I have lost the long reply!!! Will try again.

I agree with you in principal Barb. Caring drs. looking the other way, or supplying the means is something devoutly to be wished...at least on my part.

Doctors are afraid to prescribe enough painkillers to their chronic pain patients to keep them from suffering. If you are lucky enough to have a long relationship with your dr. you might be able to broach that subject.

What's really important is to have your wishes in writing, and your loved ones aware of them...while you still have all your buttons. *grin

I'm not suprised that you cared for ill and dying patients Barb. Your posts are filled with love and compassion.

In the "lost in space" post I made reference to my dear brother who died in agony from cancer. One of the doctors talked about the "glory of suffering" and I wondered if it was because he died in a Catholic hospital....Only Christ gets to talk about the Glory...my brother was just a man. A wonderful one but there was no glory in what he endured.