Dr. Ronald W. Pies, professor of psychiatry at The State University of New York (SUNY) and Tufts, asks the above question prompted at least in part by his 89-year-old mothers’ dying. I understand his distress, as I deal with my own mother at age 89, who with a critical heart valve narrowing and severe lung disease, has now gone into abnormal heart rhythm, and in the three months since, is dwindling frighteningly fast.
Like him, I believe that the physician’s role is to relieve suffering up until the moment of dying. Dr. Pies struggles with the issue of physician-assisted suicide (PAS), coming at last to the conclusion that any participation by a physician in such an endeavor is incompatible with our roles as physicians to be healers.
He quotes Dr. Lynda Young, Dr. Thomas Szasz and others who have similarly come to that conclusion. In Dr. Pies’s home state of Massachusetts, this is coming into the public conversation in the forms of a ballot initiative and a bill (H.3884) which would allow a physician to knowingly prescribe a lethal dose of a medication.
Still, as we watch our elderly mothers failing, and becoming weaker, we might wonder, what else can we do? I, at least so far, have not been confronted as he was by his mother asking, “Honey, how do I get out of this mess?” However, as my own mother is evaluated for possible heart valve replacement, I know I may be confronted with that question at any time.
How would you answer that question? Share your thoughts below, and next week in part two, I’ll tell you my thoughts as I ponder my mother’s illness and my ministry as physician.
Last Updated: June 3, 2019
2 Comments
The idea of creating thanaticians’ to deal with end of life issues is an interesting concept to ponder. My hope though is, instead of inventing a new avenue for health care professionals to deal with the issue, that we instead circle back to the purpose of life. Our life here is an opportunity to bring ourselves closer to eternal life. We can do this by offering up our suffering. It is truly sad to suffer in vain. But those that suffer with purpose aren’t wasting time here on earth. What may seem like prolonging the dying process to some could be precious grace-filled moments that make a difference to the soul. One should only pass from earthly life when they are called by God.
Once we pass we no longer have the opportunity to work on our salvation whether it be through, good works, prayer, sacrifice, or offering up our suffering. We don’t all suffer as well as the Saints do in terms of making it count for our eternal life. But the point is, while we are alive on earth we have that opportunity. Who are we to thwart the most important reason for being alive? That is why we should live each day with thanks as we have that opportunity. Our time here on earth is truly a gift.
This very “controversial” issue sometimes looks more like the suffering we as health care professionals endure by watching end of life experiences that are difficult. Maybe we too should offer up the emotional turmoil we feel inherent in this important work. True blessings may come helping us see the light and the direction in which to guide. Letting God’s will for our patients preside serves our faith-based Mission of respect for life. October is a wonderful month to reflect on this as it is “respect life” month.
Carolyn, I so appreciate your comments. I think or hope that most of us of faith, would agree that in some manner God will not allow our suffering to be wasted.
Somehow, a God of love will bring goodness out of even evil. And we agree that it is not for us to decide when anyone dies. Our respect for the sanctity of life is immutable.
There is however a time when we each will die. How far we as individuals chose to go in delaying that, when death is certain, is a question of individual conscience, and a matter that for those of us with faith, we discern together with our God.
Ethicists and theologians generally agree, that we are not required, while dying, to go to every extreme to delay our dying. Individuals are not required for instance to use or maintain measures such as ventilators, or dialysis when their medical condition is irreversible and otherwise terminal.
Your right to decide that you are “suffering with purpose” is one that I will defend, and leave to you and God. I may however decide (together with my God) that when my time comes to die, that further suffering does not serve a higher purpose, and that removing death delaying proceedures or equipment is consistent with my Christian faith, and that by doing so, I am putting myself into my creators hands. The final moment when I pass, will still be up to my God.
Thank you again for your comments Carolyn. These are difficult questions with lots of grey areas between the black and white edges.