Suicide and Voluntary Euthanasia

[2020hindsight]

Ahh, I guess Joe won;t object if I post that poem twice... (he can always delete this one later ) btw I wrote it when I got outta bed this morning. and fniished it off when I took the dog to the beach this afternoon. If you ever see a bloke walking along the beach writing poetry, and occasionally throwing a ball for a dog, it's probably me

A KIND RELEASE AMONGST FRIENDS

we’re Gathered here, my final test, to let me hold your hand,
one Final heartbeat in a breast that’s brave but undermanned,
I’ve Lost all strength, my mortal soul can’t face this savage land,
- I’ve Seen God through this portal hole unmanned,
- how Fast my footing sinks, how quick the sand.

we’re Gathered here, no more no less, to watch my curtain draw,
my Soul seeks haven from this mess, these whips that leave it raw,
a Gentler place where slopes are easy, walking’s not a chore,
- my Knees are tired of crawling cross THIS floor,
- i See a roadway west, and mercy’s law.

they Say that men are thankful when our wings take off at last,
they Say that its more tranquil when our standard flies half mast,
but Please my friends, no flags for me, no tears, no cannon blast,
- i Smile to think of days of laughter past ,
- just Think of me some times - when reel is cast.

just Think of me when you - perhaps - do things we used to do,
or When we walked through life’s strange maps – or how to tie your shoe,
or How we used to watch the stars - or maybe make a brew ,
- or Maybe when you advertise for crew,
- i’ll Be there should you need a tip or two.

i’m Dying here much prouder, flanked by friends - I’ve made my peace,
and Heaven’s call is louder, thanks, this merciful release,
i’m Passing through these clouds and banks of cumulus and fleece,
- now Flanked by friends, soon flanked by winter geese,
- and Pure white doves with halos in the breeze.

i Watched the sunrise dawning – but I can’t do that a-gen,
there’s Something bout the morning – when the pain is ten times ten,
and Add to that the conscience pains I cause to fellow men,
- how Many lives can my life here upend,
- though Friends like you are oak that never bend.

i Heard the laughing kookaburra - farmer’s dawn refrain,
but Couldn’t plough my crooked furrow – though you took the strain,
i’m Fitted now with wings of love, and taken off the chain ,
- you’re Free my Clydesdale friends, take off your rein,
- i Move on now to find a higher plain.

i Love you folks, I love your jokes, I love your salty eyes,
i’ve Loved my life, with all its strife, to Hell with shy goodbyes!
FAREWELL my friends, here’s luck, adieu, where I go peace will lie,
- and When we meet again in time, I’ll try
- to Recall all the jokes I’ve learnt on high.

Yes, surely, I’ll run into you, in time,
and surely then we’ll laugh again – sublime.

 

[2020hindsight]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkN31ugJiJA - SOMETHING WONDERFUL
btw Julia, I posted the words to this one on the poetry thread (way back when) - and put forward the concept that it was possibly written for "carers" - like my mother-in-law over those 10 long years
Or hundreds of others who look after "difficult" kids , or patients at home etc - some of whom also require attention 24/7 - AND the total commitment of the carer who gives up his/her life as a result.

"but every now and then he'll say ... something wonderful"
"but all at once he'll do... something wonderful"

Please note Im not suggesting euthanasia here. (though a few might qualify). Just reminding myself that these people exit out there, and plenty of em.


SOMETHING WONDERFUL
(Lady Thiang) King & I

This is a man who thinks with his heart, His heart is not always wise.
This is a man who stumbles and falls, But this is a man who tries.
This is a man you'll forgive and forgive, And help protect, as long as you live... ...

*****
He will not always say What you would have him say,
(but now and then he'll say something wonderful)
the heartless things he'll do will hurt and worry you
But all at once he'll do Something Wonderful.

He has a thousand dreams , That won't come true,
You know that he believes in them , And that's enough for you.

You'll always go along, Defend him where he's wrong
And tell him, when he's strong , He is Wonderful
He'll always Needs your love
And so he'll get your love.
A man who needs your love
Can be Wonderful.

She'll always go along , Defend him when he's wrong
And tell him when he's strong , He is wonderful.
He'll always need her love , And so he'll get her love
A man who needs your love , Can be wonderful

 

[Philip]

PS. Sensationalist comments like the one in 2020hindsights post supposedly said by Nitschke “The commonest way people over 75 die in our society is by hanging themselves” are an example on how he plays on peoples fears. I strongly reject such a statement until someone can give me evidence to the contrary.

While I understand that Dink has left the forum having given all he can - his comment referring to me deserves a response.

The evidence he is unaware of:
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Suicides: Recent Trends, Australia, cat. no. 3309.0.55.001, AGPS, Canberra, 2002

"since 1997 hanging has become the most common method of suicide for both males and females"

So, according to Dink, quoting from ABS is "sensational" and "plays on peoples fears"?

I don't think so. It would have helped if he had read my book "Killing me Softly" where the source material is provided and the explanation given. The fact that suicide by hanging has become the commonest method is a direct consequence of government policies that prevent free and open discussion on the topic. Policies that make advising or assisting a suicide a criminal offence, policies that restrict access to good information (my recent book - The Peaceful Pill Handbook was seized by customs at Brisbane airport), policies that force people to rely on hearsay and misinformation.

This damning statistic should come as no surprise
Rope is readily available, you need little pre-knowledge, and hanging works. This situation will remain until more enlightened government policies prevail.

Philip Nitschke

 

[Rafa]

The evidence he is unaware of:
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Suicides: Recent Trends, Australia, cat. no. 3309.0.55.001, AGPS, Canberra, 2002

"since 1997 hanging has become the most common method of suicide for both males and females"

Is the above ABS quote based on general suicide or exclusively those over 75?

 

[2020hindsight]

Is the above ABS quote based on general suicide or exclusively those over 75?

Rafa , can we assume that is the only point you take issue with in Philip Nitschke's post?

 

[Bobby]

While I understand that Dink has left the forum having given all he can - his comment referring to me deserves a response.

The evidence he is unaware of:
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Suicides: Recent Trends, Australia, cat. no. 3309.0.55.001, AGPS, Canberra, 2002

"since 1997 hanging has become the most common method of suicide for both males and females"

So, according to Dink, quoting from ABS is "sensational" and "plays on peoples fears"?

I don't think so. It would have helped if he had read my book "Killing me Softly" where the source material is provided and the explanation given. The fact that suicide by hanging has become the commonest method is a direct consequence of government policies that prevent free and open discussion on the topic. Policies that make advising or assisting a suicide a criminal offence, policies that restrict access to good information (my recent book - The Peaceful Pill Handbook was seized by customs at Brisbane airport), policies that force people to rely on hearsay and misinformation.

This damning statistic should come as no surprise
Rope is readily available, you need little pre-knowledge, and hanging works. This situation will remain until more enlightened government policies prevail.

Philip Nitschke

Welcome Philip,

I think your work is fantastic !
If I can help - Pmail me anytime Sir.

Regards Bob.

 

[Julia]

Welcome Philip,

I think your work is fantastic !
If I can help - Pmail me anytime Sir.

Regards Bob.

Philip,

I absolutely endorse Bob's words and feelings. I'm astonished at your capacity to continue with what you believe in, given the level of government and other opposition.

I did meet you some years ago at one of your meetings in Queensland. Your empathy and compassion, amongst a completely realistic approach, was impressive.

Thanks so much for participating in our discussion.

Best wishes
Julia

 

[Rafa]

2020, to be honest, i don't profess to know much about this topic, or have had any first hand experience, hence i have not contributed before.

May i just say, i have been reading some of the posts... all of which are excellent.

i am just interested to know the background of the stats...
I am sure you are aware for the old saying about statistics

Once i have that answer, i will return to just being an observer on this thread, simply becuase i don't know enough about it to make a valuable contribution.

 

[2020hindsight]

i am just interested to know the background of the stats...
I am sure you are aware for the old saying about statistics Once i have that answer, i will return to just being an observer on this thread, simply becuase i don't know enough about it to make a valuable contribution.

Fair enough Rafa, - I dont know much either. It is a tough one. On the one hand people who are totally dependent on carers, but don't qualify - perhaps a severely spastic child - and those carers are so bravely taking on the hand that god has dealt them - one mustn't insult them, assuming they have opted to look after the child to the end - but even there, many worry themselves to an early grave about who will care for the child when they are gone. Hence I thought I'd add that song about "every now and then he'll do something wonderful" - and by that i as thinking of the rare moments of relief for many of these carers. Answer here might include a bit more help from the govt? would seem appropriate?. My guess is that in more compassionate societies like sweden, there is more sharing of this load. (?) sorry I'm guessing here. Wouldn't it be GREAT if Canberra put its money where its mouth is on this one !!!

But I would also be confident that there are many cases where the patient is seriously beyond hope, and is totally committed to a desire to leave with some dignity. For these people surely the law comes across as a clumsy enforcer of uncaring policies.

As far as I'm concerned , the good doctor Nitschke has shown the sort of courage of his convictions that only comes around once in a blue moon - he is being foiled by Canberra bureaucrats and politicians. Surely (imho) it was one of the most unnecessary interferences by Canberra into States rights when they overruled Darwin.

There are checks and balances, and these can be debated I guess. There have to be those. But let's at least hear the case for the rights of people who plead to be released from some painful mortal coil, - that they also have rights (imho).

PS Personally I'd be more interested in how other counrties approach this question. - where euthanasia is legalised etc. So we could compare ourselves with other civilised societies - I'd be more interested in that sort of statistics than what age people were when they they committed self harm (whether suicide or euthanasia) by hanging.

 

[Julia]

Here is a very rational overview of the current state of voluntary euthanasia legislation. It is presently legal in The Netherlands, Belgium and Oregon, USA.

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/euthanasia-voluntary/


Julia

 

[2020hindsight]

Here is a very rational overview of the current state of voluntary euthanasia legislation. It is presently legal in The Netherlands, Belgium and Oregon, USA.

Thanks Julia, great summary, under the name of Plato and Latrobe Uni and all.

Voluntary Euthanasia
Five Individually Necessary Conditions for Candidacy for Voluntary Euthanasia
Advocates of voluntary euthanasia contend that if a person

(a) is suffering from a terminal illness;

(b) is unlikely to benefit from the discovery of a cure for that illness during what remains of her life expectancy;

(c) is, as a direct result of the illness, either suffering intolerable pain, or only has available a life that is unacceptably burdensome (because the illness has to be treated in ways that lead to her being unacceptably dependent on others or on technological means of life support);

(d) has an enduring, voluntary and competent wish to die (or has, prior to losing the competence to do so, expressed a wish to die in the event that conditions (a)-(c) are satisfied); and

(e) is unable without assistance to commit suicide

I guess we add another

(f) can afford a one-way airline ticket to Netherlands, Belgium or Oregon.

 

[Julia]

Coincidentally, I was watching an ABC TV programme I'd taped (it was screened a week or so ago) about three people who wanted to die, all for excellent reasons.

One of these people said something that I have heard before (your remark about the one way ticket reminded me, 20-20), and that is that you can buy Nembutal over the counter in a pharmacy in Mexico, but would be breaking the law by bringing it back into Australia.

Julia

 

[Knobby22]

Interesting article.

The Federal Government used the experience of the Netherlands as an argument as to why they decided against it. Obviously the Netherlands knew there was a problem (though it does not appear to be a major problem) and have given doctors lengthy prison sentences for not following protocols.

I would be greatly reassured if euthanasia was permitted, that resources were committed to enforce the law and enforce it strongly. Australians have been shown to be weak at this on other issues so the government would have to assure me that they would police the issue properly.

 

[Julia]

Interesting article.

The Federal Government used the experience of the Netherlands as an argument as to why they decided against it. Obviously the Netherlands knew there was a problem (though it does not appear to be a major problem) and have given doctors lengthy prison sentences for not following protocols.

I would be greatly reassured if euthanasia was permitted, that resources were committed to enforce the law and enforce it strongly. Australians have been shown to be weak at this on other issues so the government would have to assure me that they would police the issue properly.

That's a good point, Knobby. I don't think any of the proponents of voluntary euthanasia would be anything but supportive of the laws being rigorously policed and enforced. As a supporter of voluntary euthanasia, I'm very conscious of risks of abuse if the appropriate precautions are not maintained.

Julia

 

[2020hindsight]

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/euthanasia-voluntary/ ..... The motive of the person who commits an act of euthanasia is to benefit the one whose death is brought about. .......

Our concern will be with voluntary euthanasia ”” that is, with those instances of euthanasia in which a clearly competent person makes a voluntary and enduring request to be helped to die. ..

Debate about the morality and legality of voluntary euthanasia has been, for the most part, a phenomenon of the second half of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty first century. Certainly, the ancient Greeks and Romans did not believe that life needed to be preserved at any cost and were, in consequence, tolerant of suicide in cases where no relief could be offered to the dying or, in the case of the Stoics and Epicureans, where a person no longer cared for his life. In the sixteenth century, Thomas More, in describing a utopian community, envisaged such a community as one that would facilitate the death of those whose lives had become burdensome as a result of ‘torturing and lingering pain’. But it has only been in the last hundred years that there have been concerted efforts to make legal provision for voluntary euthanasia.

Until quite recently, there had been no success in obtaining such legal provision (though assisted suicide has been legally tolerated in Switzerland for many years). However, in the 1970s and 80s a series of court cases in The Netherlands culminated in an agreement between the legal and medical authorities to ensure that no physician would be prosecuted for assisting a patient to die as long as certain guidelines were strictly adhered to (see Griffiths, et al. 1998) In brief, the guidelines were established to permit physicians to practise voluntary euthanasia in those instances in which a competent patient had made a voluntary and informed decision to die, the patient's suffering was unbearable, there was no way of making that suffering bearable that was acceptable to the patient, and the physician's judgements as to diagnosis and prognosis were confirmed after consultation with another physician.

In the 1990s, the first legislative approval for voluntary euthanasia was achieved with the passage of a bill in the parliament of Australia's Northern Territory to enable physicians to practise voluntary euthanasia. Subsequent to the Act's proclamation in 1996, it faced a series of legal challenges from opponents of voluntary euthanasia. In 1997 the challenges culminated in the Australian National Parliament overturning the legislation when it prohibited Australian Territories (the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory) from enacting legislation to permit euthanasia.

In Oregon in the United States, legislation was introduced in 1997 to permit physician-assisted suicide after a second referendum clearly endorsed the proposed legislation. .........Netherlands... Belgium

4. (some) Objections to the Moral Permissibility of Voluntary Euthanasia
....

Objection 2
A second, related objection to permitting the legalization of voluntary euthanasia argues that we can never have sufficient evidence to be justified in believing that a dying person's request to be helped to die is competent, enduring and genuinely voluntary.

.......... If someone discusses the issue with others on different occasions, or reflects on the issue over an extended period, and does not waver in her conviction, her wish to die surely must be counted as enduring.

......it is possible for a person to indicate, in advance of losing the capacity to give competent, enduring and voluntary consent, how she would wish to be treated should she become terminally ill and suffer intolerable pain or loss of control over her life. ‘Living wills’ or ‘advance declarations’ are legally useful instruments for giving voice to people's wishes while they are capable of giving competent, enduring and voluntary consent, including to their wanting help to die. As long as they are easily revocable in the event of a change of mind (just as ordinary wills are), they should be respected as evidence of a well thought out conviction. It should be noted, though, that any request for voluntary euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide will not at present be able lawfully to be implemented outside of The Netherlands, Belgium and Oregon.
..........

Suppose that the moral case for legalizing voluntary euthanasia does come to be judged as stronger than the case against ............. Many doctors in The Netherlands and, to judge from available survey evidence, in other Western countries as well, see the practice of voluntary euthanasia as not only compatible with their professional commitments but also with their conception of the best medical care for the dying. That being so, they should not be prohibited by law from lending their professional assistance to those competent, terminally ill persons for whom no cure is possible and who wish for an easy death.

It is worthy of note that a Will (and/or driver's license) to the effect that you
(a) would like to donate organs in the event of an accident
(b) would like your life terminated in the event of certain preconditions
(c) would like your pet cat given to your niece etcetc

will only help to sort out these matters SHOULD you suddenly go gar-gar.

(sorry if this comes across as a gruesome topic - but hek - we are in a philosophical debate here, where people will argue that because you become demented, then your reasoning cannot be relied upon - HENCE!! only if you went into print when you were compos-mentis, do they take any notice of your written requests !! imho, Treat is as something to state in your will !!

(Plato would have downed several bottles of red just "exploring the topic" )

 

[Julia]

It is worthy of note that a Will (and/or driver's license) to the effect that you
(a) would like to donate organs in the event of an accident
(b) would like your life terminated in the event of certain preconditions
(c) would like your pet cat given to your niece etcetc

will only help to sort out these matters SHOULD you suddenly go gar-gar.

(sorry if this comes across as a gruesome topic - but hek - we are in a philosophical debate here, where people will argue that because you become demented, then your reasoning cannot be relied upon - HENCE!! only if you went into print when you were compos-mentis, do they take any notice of your written requests !! imho, Treat is as something to state in your will !!

(Plato would have downed several bottles of red just "exploring the topic" )

I don't think including your request re organ donation in your Will would be very helpful. If you have an accident and are admitted to Hospital, you're somewhat unlikely to be carrying your Will with you. And if you're unconscious you can't tell the staff to obtain the Will. Often time is of the essence in this situation.

More practical is to include the information in something you always have with you. I carry in my wallet a directive as to who should be contacted in the event of an accident, my willingness to donate organs if I'm not going to survive, and an instruction to access my Advance Health Directive (Living Will) which is on file at the hospital, in my file at home, and each of my contact people have a copy of it.

I think it's also a good idea to discuss your wishes with anyone you may have named as contacts, family members etc. Then the hospital staff have confirmation that whatever you stated in the Advance Health Directive (which could by then be several years old) is still applicable.

If I ever regain consciousness and find that someone has cut off my legs to save my life, some hospital will get sued bigtime!

Julia

 

[2020hindsight]

speaking of that one-way ticket to Switzerland ..

"an open hearted country ( ) a wilful lavish land (and unenlightened)...
...Whereever I shall die (switzerland?), I know to what brown (and insensitive) country my homing thoughts will fly"

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200701/s1834669.htm Doctor hoped death would spark euthanasia debate

Euthanasia advocate Dr Philip Nitschke says the family of a terminally-ill Sydney doctor who took his own life in Switzerland hope his death will prompt discussion in Australia about euthanasia laws.

John Elliott, 79, from the Sydney suburb of Rose Bay, died on Thursday at a euthanasia clinic in Zurich with his wife by his side. His trip there was organised by Exit International, the group run by Dr Nitschke. Dr Nitschke was with Dr Elliott during his final moments.

He says Dr Elliott's dying wish was that the Federal Government would re-examine its decision 10 years ago to overturn the Northern Territory's right-to-die legislation. "It does make politicians think when there is a large public debate generated around the actions of courageous people like John Elliott and one would hope, and I'm sure John had hoped that, and we all do, that his death won't be in vain," he said.

Dr Nitschke says the doctor should have had the right to end his life in Australia. "He should be able to get that drug and should have been able to take it in his own home in Rose Bay, rather than have to travel halfway around [the world] in what was an extremely difficult trip for a person as sick as he was - just to get access to that peaceful drug which would allow him to end his suffering at the time of his choosing," he said.

In a recording given to the Sydney Morning Herald, Dr Elliot's wife, Angelika, tearfully reads a final statement written by her husband. "I am sharing my story to help our politicians understand why people be allowed control and responsibility in dying, just like they do in living - my life is my choice, goodbye," the statement read.

..dying wish was that the Federal Government would re-examine its decision 10 years ago to overturn the Northern Territory's right-to-die legislation.
Be interesting to see where the Labour party are with this one, although it seems to be one of those things that no-one wants to consider - until it affects them or their family i guess.

 

[Knobby22]

There is no need to die in pain
Odette Spruyt
February 5, 2007


articles and letters after the death of Dr John Elliott have presented dying in Australia as a fearful and terrible experience. People are said to suffer not only physically but also a total loss of dignity such that desperate people have no choice but to take extreme measures.

Human dignity is presented as totally dependent on fragile externals. We lose our dignity in the face of suffering, be it physical, emotional or social. We lose our dignity if we lose control of our decision-making capacity, our bowels, our mobility, our mind. We lose our dignity if our loved ones can't or won't care for us and we refuse to let others do so.

The subversive practice of giving patients lethal doses of morphine is portrayed as commonplace and indeed necessary for pain-free dying within the constraints of what is inferred to be archaic, inhumane and ineffective health care for the dying.

I have worked as a specialist palliative care doctor for 13 years. The exposure to death and dying daily has taught me many lessons. When I read the story of Elliott, some apparent absences are disturbing: the absence of an extended care network, the absence of any mention of palliative care/pain management expertise, the absence of the will to live (portrayed as somehow heroic). This is one man's story. It is certainly not everyman's story.

In Australia over the past 10 years, there has been an impressive increase in the range of pain management drugs. We now have more than 10 strong pain killers (opioids) that can be given in many different ways so that finding the right drug for the individual is now possible. In addition, we have a vast array of supportive pain-relieving drugs that can be combined with the opioids, to safely minimise the dose of opioid and optimise pain relief. Combinations often achieve more than one drug alone but are more complex for the patient, carer and doctor to manage, hence the need for specialist palliative care/pain management assistance.

Added to the medications now available are many other treatments such as radiotherapy, specialised anaesthetic techniques for cancer pain relief (such as epidurals), neurosurgical techniques and anticancer treatments, which may reduce the tumour size and activity and so reduce the tumour-associated pain. We also have a national, free palliative care network, available to all, providing care for the dying in hospitals, hospices and at home.

It is simplistic to argue that palliative care can remove all suffering at the end of life. However, why is it that at a time of such greatly improved analgesia and systems of care, the envy of many countries worldwide, there appears to be such a great fear of dying in unrelieved pain and suffering? Our resources have never been better. Why are people being told that there is nothing to help them?

 

[Prospector]

With respect Knobby, I have now seen my father and mother in law through a terminal illness. The only way to manage my fathers pain was through the opiate drip, which effectively put him into an unconscious state for maybe 22 out of 24 hours. He had to wear a nappy. He lasted in that condition for seven days. He was a very intensely private person and as I child I had only ever seen him in a singlet and shorts - never any less than that. I could cope with my father in the process of dying, but he would have been grossly offended by his treatment at the end. So why, why should he have had to pass away in a manner that offended everything he had ever done in his life!

Doctors may be able to medically manage the pain, but no-one is able to manage the dignity. And when you are about to die to me that is all I have left.

I do not ever, ever plan to leave this earth in such a manner.

 

[Knobby22]

Prospector, I didn't copy the whole article and did the writer a disservice.
Read the rest of it.
I am for Euthanasia but I think the arguments are not so cut and dried. Read who wrote the article (at the bottom of the page). I personally would not want to end one of my parents life if a better way was at all possible but it would be there choice. I would hope that it was the correct choice in the circumstances.


continues:-

As a community, we do need a better understanding of palliative care as specialised health care for those approaching death. Palliative medicine is also not well understood by the medical community, which leads to ignorance in the use of analgesics, even by experienced doctors. For example, it is inaccurate to say that such large doses of narcotic analgesia as would suppress breathing and shorten life are necessary to relieve pain in the dying.

A recent review of hospice practice showed that the norm is modest doses of opioids in the final 48 hours of life. This is evidence that with best total care, extreme dosing is not required for a peaceful death and may in fact achieve the opposite due to side effects. In addition, such rhetoric reinforces the negative stereotypes that abound about the medical use of opioids and prevents many patients from accepting appropriate pain relief out of fear that these drugs will kill them.

However, perhaps it is not the fear of pain and suffering but rather a fear of death itself that drives this issue.

In fact the fear of death may be greater than ever before in our youth-oriented culture. Perhaps we need to slow down. In our rush to the finishing line, we are failing to see:

■The tireless devotion of a young wife for her dying husband.

■The marriage in hospital of a long-together couple two days before his mother dies.

■The exquisite intimacy and tenderness of a mother as she cares for her dying 20-year-old daughter.

■The laughter of families as they reminisce around the bedside of their father.

■The children doing puzzles on the floor of their grandmother's hospice room.

■The daily courage and dignity of the ill in the midst of incontinence, pain, tears and grief.

■The urgency in the steps of the nurses intent on relieving the pain and distress of their patient.

■The friendship and love which grows between staff and patients in the midst of adversity.

■Life renewing in the face of death.

We may crave for a way to circumvent the pain of dying, the grief, the loss and the seeming uselessness of it all. We may prefer a neater exit of our own time and choosing. However, we risk anaesthetising ourselves from life, and losing much of its richness, mystery, beauty and soul.

Instead of running from death, we need to embrace those who are dying within the community of the living and ensure that they know they are a vital part of life until their last breath.

Odette Spruyt is a palliative-care doctor at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.