New Mexico's Medical Aid In Dying (MAID) program was the result of years of effort. Over 10 years ago Dr. Gunasegaram, a renowned oncologist at the University of New Mexico Medical Center and I stood on the Court House steps along with several others in support of its implementation.
After artist Vincent Distasio died from cutting his wrists, his granddaughter testified before the State Legislature about how he was unaffected by morphine. The excruciating pain of his bone cancer drove him to kill himself.
It came in this delightfully macabre black bag.
The presiding physician will open the case and dispense the medication on the day and time I choose. The medication is good until October 5th. The case must be returned.
I wonder who makes the case?
With the combination lock, it looks very Jame Bondish.
ReplyDeleteYes! It definitely lends an additional air of melodrama! It's reassuring to have it. It's a bit like a teddy bear.
DeleteIs this like the nuclear launch codes where you know two digits and the DR knows two? So is that it? OCT 5th absolute if not before? Is there a cost? Given the difficulty that prisons have putting people over the edge (comfortably and not) with drugs what are they? At a local coffee shop there was an advertisement for 'Death Cafe' which is apparently a national movement for people to gather, listen to a speaker/presentation and then talk/question re what death is, isn't and may/might be. As noted in an earlier comment I have this suspicion that you simply get run through a car wash and then start all over again; I guess I should be more serious but who fucking knows. With Pope's I read that they are exhumed sometimes to begin the beatification process; if not too decayed it reflects some aspect of divine intervention. Are there plans for you to be exhumed at some point? I'm finding it difficult to be serious (or morbid) about the upside or downside of the next step. You have a plan that will eliminate the downside of your life now. That's positive.
ReplyDeleteArt!
DeleteAt some point I'm expected to name a date & time, but everyone is assuring me there's no rush and no deadline. (deadline...get it? that's a joke). MAID facilitator said they had one person for 6 years.
It's really hard to predict. This week I decided to double down (donchyuh jus love these catchy words/phrases?: meme; tubular; dank; concerning) on my exercise regimen; the twinges IMMEDIATELY became more frequent and stronger...letting me know "U better watch out, dood!" The warning is I'm not getting any better. But! I'm not ready tuh die yet, either. I'm having too much fun trading on the market, getting reacquainted w Michelle and -- you'll be excited to hear -- Kristen and I have started on *Hospice For Dummies.*
I'm getting better care than ever before. I asked my primary if it was necessary to be on hospice to receive this level. He equivocated.
It's a cocktail of several incl 60% morphine, a coma inducer and, I think, phenobarbitol. They rattled it off but you've inspired me to call & find out. Pre-op includes heavy anti-emetics an hour or two before the final quaffing. It was $550.00. If I'm still going Oct 5th, I'll just buy it again. But if I have a stroke or something gets unendurable, I'm poised. It's comforting.
There are Death Cafés once a month at the Unitarian Church. Thanks to one I attended, I was able to lend a hand in helping make a woman's death a pleasant experience. I went to three before my energy gave out. I think they're a great idea. I was annoyed by a facilitator who ran one like a 12-Step session & wouldn't allow "cross talk." But I think she was an anomaly.
I like the car wash idea!
I've not considered exhumation, but I check my shit regularly and it's not as stinky as it was. If it reaches a point of stinklessness, I'm thinking I'll get some shingles and offer it for whatever I can get. I mean, they laughed all the way to the bank over pet rocks, right?
The thing is, it keeps getting more and more interesting. Did I tell yuh about the Ekrin Kestrel's wonder orgasm? Yuh put it on low and just lay it down next to your dick and the next thing yuh know...There's Fireworks!!! (note the use of "there is" with a plural.) After noticing how my massuese hammered on my legs etc, I decided to give it a try. It works great! But, you know my one-track mind...it wasn't long before it'd proven its versatility.
And then, the really great news! Kristen & I are gonna do *Hospice For Dummies.* With all the existential excitement of this phase and her PhD, it'll make the NY times, Oprah and Dick Cavett. I got a good start on the preface today and delineated several chapter headings. Yesterday I interviewed my hospice nurse to include her wisdom.
But just so we can have cause for celebration, I'll prolly designate Oct 5 as the lift-off date. But as things now stand, it's anybody's guess. I mean, if my appendix goes, I'm going.
You sound in good spirits. Would you be willing to be a "reader?"
MFH
I am a ruthless editor and also have a friend who is an editor by trade.
DeleteWell, I don't know. I hear notes of sadism. I mean, anybody can slash & burn. The question is can you write? I'm looking for someone who writes better than I and can turn my verbosity into compelling, gotta, gotta have it SEE YOU ON OPRAH sales!
DeleteYes, but a real wordsmith, one who actually makes money understanding the reader side of the effort would be better. I'll reach out to a writer friend. Twenty years ago I started "Marriage for Dummies...Like Really Dumb." My collaborator misplaced the first five chapters. Ideas are nice but execution, diligence and completion are required. I'm easily distracted.
DeleteSome of the 'Dummies...' books are pretty good but many are just too long. Maybe "The Ten Minute Guide to Hospice: You Don't Have Much Time" for those about to go. Amazon self-published e-book.
ReplyDelete