About time.

👏🏻👏🏻 Excellent! Long overdue.

Magica wrote:

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Oh I doubt it will be just one doctor. Has to be discussed with the family I reckon.

Also they must be dying before they are aided, not just because they're depressed. Or a illness like locked in. Can't eat, drink, move only hear. Oh god that must be a nightmare, as they did later anyway.

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 https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-features/latest-news/detail/2025/06/19/assisted-dying-bill-risks-preventable-deaths-of-people-with-treatable-mental-illness-warns-rcpsych - the fears of RC Psych.

OT slightly: In general, even in this day and age many still attach a stigma to MH. I feel many underestimate the depths depression can take someone to. Not everyone’s depression can be cured with medication/ counselling etc, leaving many with very little quality of life and, due to limited resources, very little (if any) support given. A broken mind can be just as despairing as a broken body.

I hope the Govt doesn’t cock this Bill up like they have everything else.

Digger wrote:

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There's a lot of stigma over death. We treat it as though its some disaster we can avoid. We can't. It's as much a part of life as being born and we all go through it. No healthy person wants to die. But our attitude to it is it's some kind of curse to be feared and keeping people alive long beyond their time and often in pain, is not good. It's about time things changed.

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 Death is so final, I think I am more bothered about the deaths of people I love more than my own.

But having seen someone I love suffer for  a long time at the end of life , a peaceful end was a blessing not a curse.

Syl wrote:

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Digger wrote:

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There's a lot of stigma over death. We treat it as though its some disaster we can avoid. We can't. It's as much a part of life as being born and we all go through it. No healthy person wants to die. But our attitude to it is it's some kind of curse to be feared and keeping people alive long beyond their time and often in pain, is not good. It's about time things changed.

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 Death is so final, I think I am more bothered about the deaths of people I love more than my own.

But having seen someone I love suffer for  a long time at the end of life , a peaceful end was a blessing not a curse.

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 I think too, that a lot of fear around death is from leaving your loved ones.  That really freaks me out.  I'm not scared of dying, but I'd be devastated to leave those who love me and me them and to feel and see their grief.    James Whale has two weeks left to live and he says he cries every day because he doesn't want to leave his loved ones. 

Digger wrote:

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Syl wrote:

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Digger wrote:

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There's a lot of stigma over death. We treat it as though its some disaster we can avoid. We can't. It's as much a part of life as being born and we all go through it. No healthy person wants to die. But our attitude to it is it's some kind of curse to be feared and keeping people alive long beyond their time and often in pain, is not good. It's about time things changed.

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 Death is so final, I think I am more bothered about the deaths of people I love more than my own.

But having seen someone I love suffer for  a long time at the end of life , a peaceful end was a blessing not a curse.

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 I think too, that a lot of fear around death is from leaving your loved ones.  That really freaks me out.  I'm not scared of dying, but I'd be devastated to leave those who love me and me them and to feel and see their grief.    James Whale has two weeks left to live and he says he cries every day because he doesn't want to leave his loved ones. 

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 I think it's exactly that.

My mum suffered so much, for at least two years. I asked her once if she was tired...I meant tired of living, but she knew what I meant. She said 'I don't want to leave you', and sadly, she lasted a good while longer.

People with a religion, who believe they will meet up again, must find comfort in that. I keep an open mind...but on my death bed I may come down firmly on the side of yes, we will meet.

Digger wrote:

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Syl wrote:

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Digger wrote:

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There's a lot of stigma over death. We treat it as though its some disaster we can avoid. We can't. It's as much a part of life as being born and we all go through it. No healthy person wants to die. But our attitude to it is it's some kind of curse to be feared and keeping people alive long beyond their time and often in pain, is not good. It's about time things changed.

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 Death is so final, I think I am more bothered about the deaths of people I love more than my own.

But having seen someone I love suffer for  a long time at the end of life , a peaceful end was a blessing not a curse.

---

 I think too, that a lot of fear around death is from leaving your loved ones.  That really freaks me out.  I'm not scared of dying, but I'd be devastated to leave those who love me and me them and to feel and see their grief.    James Whale has two weeks left to live and he says he cries every day because he doesn't want to leave his loved ones. 

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 I‘ve just read about his terminal prognosis… “I’m heading into the sunset.”…. 😢 

I‘m convinced my quietly determined mamma decided for herself when the time was right for her. The debilitating terrible symptoms of her terminal illness in those last couple of weeks, were traumatic and deeply humiliating for her. 

I remember her looking me squarely in the eyes and she quietly said, “No, darling. If this is how it has to be until the end, then - no. This is not how I want you to remember me….”

The following morning, I had a meeting with a hospice nurse who then visited mamma at the hospital. She chatted and politely smiled at the nurse throughout the visit - lots of nodding in agreement and ’thank yous’. Arrangements were made to transfer her to hospice for palliative care the following day. 

That afternoon she held my hand, but was clearly in some pain. Morphine was administered and she drifted off for a while. At around 6pm, she briefly opened her eyes and smiled at me. Closed them again - and she was finally at peace. I truly believe she had decided not to bother with palliative care.

I realise not everyone battling end-stage terminal illness is physically able to decide when their suffering should come to an end.

But provided all the right medical diagnosis/interviews/investigation protocols, etc, are in place, this Bill should bring a blessed relief to many patients and their loved ones.

Syl wrote:

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I'm glad your mums suffering wasn't prolonged Vam, that must have been a great comfort for you.
It's true, no one wants to be remembered as bed ridden and helpless. If this bill aids people to choose to stop that, at least for a few months, it's good.

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Thanks, Syl x  Selfishly, I wanted her to fight to stay alive for as long as possible.

But those last couple of weeks were just too humiliating for her. I think her sheer force of will resulted in outcome she wanted… kinda like  ‘Nope. I love you. But I really am done now...’

Anonymous wrote:

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Your mother sounded very brave Vam. She didn't want you to see her lose her dignity and as you say it sounds as if she had made her peace with going. That was a very touching post, and I thankyou for sharing it xx My father had no idea he was so ill, he had breathing problems that day but he often did. The doctors decided he did not need oxygen in the house. They were wrong. He attended a hospital appointment that day, even drove there and my Mum noticed his breathing was more laboured than usual. But she still had no idea it was his time. I remember him squeezing my hand and smiling. It was a lovely smile and thats how I remember him. He must have known what was happening as he managed to tell my younger brother "you're the man of the house now". He passed peacefully a day later, his favourite music on his headphones and all of his family around him.

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 The best way to go imo...peacefully, surrounded by family. x

Anonymous wrote:

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Your mother sounded very brave Vam. She didn't want you to see her lose her dignity and as you say it sounds as if she had made her peace with going. That was a very touching post, and I thankyou for sharing it xx My father had no idea he was so ill, he had breathing problems that day but he often did. The doctors decided he did not need oxygen in the house. They were wrong. He attended a hospital appointment that day, even drove there and my Mum noticed his breathing was more laboured than usual. But she still had no idea it was his time. I remember him squeezing my hand and smiling. It was a lovely smile and thats how I remember him. He must have known what was happening as he managed to tell my younger brother "you're the man of the house now". He passed peacefully a day later, his favourite music on his headphones and all of his family around him.

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 And now it’s my turn to thank you for sharing such a poignant memory of your Dad’s peaceful passing.

He must have been a wonderful man, and I’m sorry for your loss 🕯️🕊️

Syl wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Your mother sounded very brave Vam. She didn't want you to see her lose her dignity and as you say it sounds as if she had made her peace with going. That was a very touching post, and I thankyou for sharing it xx My father had no idea he was so ill, he had breathing problems that day but he often did. The doctors decided he did not need oxygen in the house. They were wrong. He attended a hospital appointment that day, even drove there and my Mum noticed his breathing was more laboured than usual. But she still had no idea it was his time. I remember him squeezing my hand and smiling. It was a lovely smile and thats how I remember him. He must have known what was happening as he managed to tell my younger brother "you're the man of the house now". He passed peacefully a day later, his favourite music on his headphones and all of his family around him.

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 The best way to go imo...peacefully, surrounded by family. x

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 Amen to that! 

Except, only the ‘peacefully’ part could apply in my case, given that the few family members I have left are scattered all around the globe. So the best I can hope for when my time’s up, is to just peacefully slip away in my sleep 🤞🏻

Vam wrote:

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Syl wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Your mother sounded very brave Vam. She didn't want you to see her lose her dignity and as you say it sounds as if she had made her peace with going. That was a very touching post, and I thankyou for sharing it xx My father had no idea he was so ill, he had breathing problems that day but he often did. The doctors decided he did not need oxygen in the house. They were wrong. He attended a hospital appointment that day, even drove there and my Mum noticed his breathing was more laboured than usual. But she still had no idea it was his time. I remember him squeezing my hand and smiling. It was a lovely smile and thats how I remember him. He must have known what was happening as he managed to tell my younger brother "you're the man of the house now". He passed peacefully a day later, his favourite music on his headphones and all of his family around him.

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 The best way to go imo...peacefully, surrounded by family. x

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 Amen to that! 

Except, only the ‘peacefully’ part could apply in my case, given that the few family members I have left are scattered all around the globe. So the best I can hope for when my time’s up, is to just peacefully slip away in my sleep 🤞🏻

 

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 Hopefully it wont be anytime soon.....for any of us. x