John D. Was Only 47 When He Took His Life
His last year had apparently been very trying and he, like many other suicide victims, couldn’t see any way out of his situation.
He had suffered many months with intense pain and indigestion and was finally diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Rather than face the future of radiation, chemotherapy, etc, he chose to end life on his own terms.
Perhaps there is something we can learn from this. There is a lot of pain and suffering in this life and at times the questions seem to have no answers. We could ask ourselves why, why, why. Or we could accept that we don’t know the answers and face the future of uncertainty with courage and faith.
The likelihood of surviving the type of cancer prognosis he was given wasn’t good. Yet, who knows what could have happened had he chosen to live. Was this a totally selfish decision on his part? Does his family understand or able to cope with this choice he made? Will they be at peace about it? The questions go on and on.
What else could he have done had he not made this choice?
He could have encouraged and helped others who are suffering the same. He could have done things he had never done before, a bucket list if you will. He could have given away what he didn’t want or donated his money to a worthy cause rather than leave this to the courts to decide what to do.
He could have gone skydiving, mountain climbing, laughed and cried with others up to the day he died. But instead he took it upon himself to stop living.
Studies show that cancer patients commit suicide the most during the advanced stages of the disease when pain is unbearable and the future looks most grim. Pain is said to interfere with the cancer patient’s ability to receive support from family and others. (studies also indicate the same feelings with AIDS patients) These patients often ask for suicide assistance from others as they have concluded euthanasia to be a viable solution.
The state of Oregon passed a law in 1997 called the Death with Dignity Act. Over 600 people have since taken lethal medication prescribed under state law since then. The story of Cody Curtis who chose to end her life with dignity and the support and encouragement of her family beside her. Her story was portrayed in the film “How to Die in Oregon.”
Advanced Bio Treatment is a caring and compassionate suicide scene cleanup services company that has been serving families and business across the country since 2003. ABT offers Suicide Support Resources and guidance. If you need our assistance please do not hesitate to call at 800-295-1684.
