Robin's comments to me on suicide

 

Open your window to the world of life after death.
 

These are the comments that Robin gives to me about my web pages plus her comments in general on the world of Spirit.

Hi, I was just reading the question/answer about suicide. I am pro-choice when it comes to voluntary euthanasia or abortion. I do not like the idea of suicide or euthanasia - or abortion - but I do think individuals should not be castigated if they make this choice when under extreme circumstances. My concerns are that Judeo-Christian beliefs are being foisted on everyone - and that a person may be pressured into suicide - or euthanased against their wishes. I think abortion should not be used instead of contraception - but that as long as it does not involve cruelty to a feeling foetus - it is the choice (and responsibility) of the mother.
 
Nancy Crick did have colorectal cancer. The media made it sound like she did not have cancer ever. She had been operated upon several times for bowel cancer and had a colostomy bag. She developed ongoing pain which the doctors were unable to control to her satisfaction. She also had un-resolved problems with the colostomy - often waking in her own faeces. She began to have severe pain from the abdomen, and it was assumed (at least by her) that this was the cancer growing back. Eating caused severe vomitting and  pain - so that she could not eat and was slowly wasting away.
 
An autopsy showed that she did not have active cancer at the surgery site. Her pain and inability to eat was due to a problem - probably caused by all the surgery. Many people who have had bowel surgery (especially if it is not carried out by a specialist colorectal surgeon) do have problems due to ongoing pain, blockages, adhesions, colostomy problems, fissures, ulceration, twisting of the bowel, urine and faecal incontinence etc etc. (I've had some of them myself). I do not know who her surgeon or other doctors were - but it appears that they did not (perhaps through her choice) thoroughly investigate the cause of her pain and distress - and also perhaps assumed that the cancer was growing once more.
 
She did refuse to have further surgery - perhaps because she had had such bad earlier experiences. Perhaps she also refused other investigations e.g. colonoscopy, ultra-sound, Barium Enema, CT, PET, Virtual Colonoscopy, MRI, CEA blood test - to name a few - which could have determined her true situation. Or maybe these were not offered to her?
 
Whatever, the truth - she did not have the best possible care or diagnostic procedures - and she was convinced she was dying of cancer - or its side-effects. She was in considerable pain. She did agree to try palliative care - which she said did help (but not sufficiently).
 
I think she was the type of lady who did not wish to be dependant on anyone and hated the loss of control of her bodily functions. (Having seen many of my family die of cancer, I can understand her wish not to take that route to the Hereafter). I also think she was probably under considerable psychological pressure to carry through with her stated wish to euthanase herself.
 
My husband is facing a death similar to the one faced by Sandy Williamson. His cerebellum and brain-stem are deteriorating (the parts which control automatic functions) - but he is fully alert mentally. He may lose his sight. He will have difficulty swallowing and clearing his lungs and will probably die through choking or pneumonia caused by aspirated food or liquids.  If not these, his lung and heart muscles will eventually give up. He is already having problems with walking, incontinence, speech, swallowing, hand movements, eyesight, and weakening voice. He cannot feel his feet properly, and will soon be in a wheelchair.
 
He is very interested in NDE's, reincarnation, euthanasia and similar topics. I have told him that what he does is his choice - and that I am not expecting him to go one way or the other. I would hate him to ask me to assist in his death - but when you are watching a loved one suffer and they are pleading for your help - who knows what your decision might be. We have joined the voluntary euthanasia society (EXIT) in order to obtain full information about methods, legalities, living wills, palliative care etc etc. (Palliative care is not 100% effective in all cases). We both fear being kept alive un-naturally by machines and "heroic" measures. Our doctors and hospitals each have a document on file stating that we do not want to be resucitated under certain specified circumstances.
 
From a spiritual point-of-view, I do not think a person who truly believes what they are doing is correct would be "punished" or shunted into "Limbo" or "Purgatory" as the Christian religions threaten. Suicide has been considered honourable in various cultures and times e.g. the Roman and Japanese.  I think it is more likely that their spirit is seeking to have that experience - just as others may seek the experience of being executed, tortured, abandoned, ridiculed, en-slaved - or be a torturer, dictator, murderer etc etc (maybe to provide experiences for others?). Perhaps, if they prematurely commit suicide, they will find that they wasted the opportunity for certain lessons from this life - and will wish to experience them in some future existence. I think we should never judge or condemn anyone for their decisions - though it is very difficult to be so non-judgemental when individuals do dreadful things with the (apparent) motives of greed, cruelty etc.
 
Thank-you for your suicide page - it is an important topic.
Here are three sites about dying which you will find very interesting. - especially the spiritually oriented one titled "Crossing the Creek".
 
Best wishes...Robin
 

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