SEQUIM -
The first terminally ill patient using the state's Death With Dignity Act has died.
Linda Fleming died Thursday night, choosing to end her life by taking prescribed medication. Fleming was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer over a month ago and the disease progressed rapidly. Doctors told Fleming she was actively dying.
"The pain became unbearable, and it was only going to get worse," said Linda in explaining her decision to use the Death with Dignity law.
"When a cure is no longer possible, the Death With Dignity Act adds another option for patients dying from a terminal illness. The prescribed medication gives patients peace of mind that they can use to take control of their dying if suffering becomes intolerable," said Dr. Tom Preston, MD, a cardiologist and Compassion & Choices of Washington's medical director, "Most dying patients experience suffering. The Death With Dignity Act allows a physician to help his patients maintain as much control and dignity as they can at the end of life. Last night, the Death With Dignity Act provided a way to honor this patient's final decision."
Linda said, "I am a very spiritual person, and it was very important to me to be conscious, clear-minded and alert at the time of my death. The powerful pain medications were making it difficult to maintain the state of mind I wanted to have at my death. And I knew I would have to increase them. I am grateful that the Death with Dignity law provides me the choice of a death that fits my own personal beliefs."
She died with her family and doctor at her bedside.
The Death With Dignity Act allows doctors to prescribe lethal doses of medication for terminally ill patients who seek to hasten their deaths.
Linda Fleming died Thursday night, choosing to end her life by taking prescribed medication. Fleming was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer over a month ago and the disease progressed rapidly. Doctors told Fleming she was actively dying.
"The pain became unbearable, and it was only going to get worse," said Linda in explaining her decision to use the Death with Dignity law.
"When a cure is no longer possible, the Death With Dignity Act adds another option for patients dying from a terminal illness. The prescribed medication gives patients peace of mind that they can use to take control of their dying if suffering becomes intolerable," said Dr. Tom Preston, MD, a cardiologist and Compassion & Choices of Washington's medical director, "Most dying patients experience suffering. The Death With Dignity Act allows a physician to help his patients maintain as much control and dignity as they can at the end of life. Last night, the Death With Dignity Act provided a way to honor this patient's final decision."
Linda said, "I am a very spiritual person, and it was very important to me to be conscious, clear-minded and alert at the time of my death. The powerful pain medications were making it difficult to maintain the state of mind I wanted to have at my death. And I knew I would have to increase them. I am grateful that the Death with Dignity law provides me the choice of a death that fits my own personal beliefs."
She died with her family and doctor at her bedside.
The Death With Dignity Act allows doctors to prescribe lethal doses of medication for terminally ill patients who seek to hasten their deaths.
