The information below is an accounting of the practice of involuntary euthanasia in our country and the tragic loss of my grandmother. Below is a series of informational and emotional posts written on my previous blog in November of 2006.
Please take the time to click in the informative links.
Thank you ….
Shelly
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The Tragic Reality of Involuntary Euthanasia in the USA
This section is designed to make the on-going practice of euthanasia made known to the American public. It is happening every day, and many times it is NOT the choice of the patient. We are committed to making this practice known…and working with lawmakers to make it illegal. This site is dedicated to the memory of our grandmother, Ollie.
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Good Bye to My Grandmother, Tragedy, Issues
Good Bye to My Grandmother
Ollie S.
December 29, 1908 - November 20, 2006
I am sure she has been welcomed by the Heavenly Host and is now with her mother, her husband, her brothers and sisters, my little sister, and many of her friends. I know that she is enjoying the celebration of reunion with loved ones in the presence of our Heavenly Father and I look forward to being with her again.
Tragedy of Ethics
My grandmother’s death was not without controversy. She had become confused during the night at times, and sometimes had bladder incontinence. She was still playing and winning at dominoes just 2 to 3 weeks ago.
As her confusion at night became more frequent and disrupting to the family members that cared for her, decisions were being made. I would have never believed that decisions of this nature would be made and carried out as they were.
EDIT: See this press release and additional information from the Illinois Right to Life Committee concerning *Hospice Bait and Switch* and *Terminal Sedation* procedures practiced by some Hospice organizations
HERE
My posting of this is to alert and make others aware of the *death hastening philosophy* of some Hospice agencies and actual hospice units within some hospitals and their view of *quality of life* issues.
My grandmother had mild and long-term congestive heart failure, but not terminally. Her CHF was not life ending. She did not have a terminal illness….only her age. And, if that is the criteria of terminal, we all share that diagnosis.
My grandmother, bless her heart, was a victim of this *terminal sedation* protocol as administered by the doctors and employees of the Hospice Unit at Lincoln Park Hospital in Chicago, IL … at the request and consent of one relative that had Power of Attorney and the support of her immediate family members. This was to have been a secret that we were never to have discovered. Well, the jig is up!
You will see in THIS information that my grandmother’s condition did not meet the protocol standards as presented, however, those standards may be bent and applied at will by the medical establishment and the family member present.
The so-called caregivers administer morphine frequently to induce sleep and an almost coma like state, then withhold all nutrition and fluids, and as the patient begins to have organ systems shut down, less and less morphine is necessary. Death is from dehydration and morphine administration is to keep them sedated. It is not fast. Staff members reassure and comfort family members by telling them of the *beautiful experience* of death, when in reality it is death by order, protocol, and the choice of all those that participate. Isn’t this what Jack Kevorkian was imprisoned for??? Although, his method was much faster….
This practice has also been reported to be administered to hospice patients without consent of the family. Somehow, hospice workers and some family members feel they have the right to decide when to terminate life based on their perception of *quality*. I thoroughly believe many innocents die at the hands of those they have trusted. I know that some day those that do this to others will be held accountable before God for these actions.
The relative that had my grandmother sign over a Power of Attorney early on felt that the situation was unmanagable. It was decided by that group of relatives that the quality of my grandmother’s life was not good enough to continue and that *something needed to be done*. A nursing home or hired nursing care was ruled out as being *inhumane* and prolonging suffering of a sometimes confused person.
No other family members were consulted. We were told she was being taken to the hospital to have her medication adjusted and lab work done to check for possible causes of her confusion and to have her digitalis restarted/adjusted.
ADDENDUM: Since the relative that made this decision for our grandmother is refusing email from my sister, a Licensed Professional Counselor, my sister has requested that I post her letter openly HERE in hopes that our aunt and step-uncle will read her communication in answer to their questions.
My sister then received a phone call that our grandmother was *really bad* and my sister left immediately to drive out of state to my grandmother.
My grandmother was being administered morphine and fluids were being withheld. The family member with power of attorney refused to allow any fluids be administered…either by IV or NG tube and insisted that a stroke caused difficulty with my grandmother swallowing.
My grandmother had Essential Tremor for the past 20+ years. Narcotic administration to patients with this condition can cause a temporary type of paralysis or *freezing up* of motor control. My grandmother could still use both hands and both legs well. Her only difficulty was swallowing as a result of morphine administration. Also, my grandmother was relatively pain free, other than occasional arthritis, when admitted to this hospice unit within a hospital.
The hospice caregivers continued to administer morphine and withhold all fluids. My grandmother was taken there awake and alert. After more than a week of their *treatment* she was dead, which was their intention. It was described by them and our relatives as *beautiful and peaceful*. I am sickened.
I am not falsely accusing. My sister was there and unknowingly witnessed the procedure. Medical records will be obtained. This is a relatively common practice in some hospices and a choice that can be made by a family member that has legal power of attorney.
My guilt is in not realizing this decision was being made….or that the family member I thought I knew would have been able to choose this! It is also in not acting more quickly and being able to change the outcome in any way. I wish that I had done many things differently, but I want to make each of you aware of this possibility occurring in your own family.
Issues Documented
Please follow these links to read about *Hospice Ethics* and educate yourself! Make sure that any Power of Attorney over someone that you love has more than *one* person in the position of control.
Read the first 6 paragraphs HERE
and the information HERE
and HERE
and more HERE.
Below is a partial quote from THIS website discussing Hospice Ethics.
“Hospices also confront “the whole range of bedside dilemmas that arise in caring for terminal patients: feeding tubes, pain management, total sedation, and assisted death,” McLean said. In total sedation, patients are put into a deep sleep so they don’t experience agonizing physical symptoms. They are maintained in this deep sleep until they die.
Klinghoffer raises the question: If total sedation is ethical for physical symptoms, should it also be available for psychic pain, for example for patients who suffer because they no longer have any quality of life?”
Who determines someone else’s *quality of life*? Isn’t this *doing harm* which is flatly against the Hypocratic Oath that every doctor takes? Is this an action with which a Christian would agree? Who determines when someone may be in *psychic* pain and their life no longer has *enough quality* for them to continue living?
The Hospice Debate Goes On
Organizations have sprung up to bring back Hospice services to their *original* mission.
A quote from HERE:
News and Information Concerning the Euthanasia Debate,
Hospice And Efforts to Stop Involuntary Euthanasia
(Medical Killing)Hospice Patients Alliance affirms that all human life is inherently valuable and that the role of hospice nurses, physicians and all other staff is to alleviate suffering and provide comfort for the sick and dying without sanctioning or assisting their suicide. A death with dignity allows for a natural death in its own time, while doing everything possible to assure relief from distressing symptoms.
You can read additional articles HERE and HERE which includes discussions of medical ethics.
Also, another informative article about the practice of *terminal sedation* HERE.
Also important to note, that the transition of Hospice services over the past 20+ years has been in a trend to becoming *for profit* organizations (as documented HERE ). Many hospice services are no longer non-profit and volunteer organizations. A patient stay in a hospital for several days or weeks can certainly add to the bottom line….and this is billed to Medicare (our tax dollars) and to supplemental insurance companies. What a tragic and deplorable way to make a profit!
Please educate yourself on these issues. Please.
Prayer
Please, for once, I would request your prayers for my family and myself. This has caused an enormous split with distant relatives. I cannot reconcile this action in my heart, nor with my Christian beliefs and I do not understand this decision. I remember the Terri Schiavo and Karen Ann Quinlan cases. I never would have thought a situation similar to these would involve my grandmother. The major difference is that my grandmother was not in a persistent vegetative state.
I will become active in seeing that these situations are made public and that people are fully informed. My sister and I are making a donation to an Elder Care and Protection Service in my grandmother’s memory.
Granny, I will miss you and I look forward to being with you again. Thank You for everything you were while here…and give Julie and Papa a hug for me.
Your Friend,
Shelly
NIV
Deuteronomy 5:
17 You shall not murder.
32 So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.
25And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
posted by Prayerful Knitter - Shelly at 5:33
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To My IL Relatives, Dignity In Death?, Changes In Hospice, Thoughts & Prayer
To My IL Relatives
PLEASE READ THE *PREVIOUS POST HERE* FIRST, then continue…
What you may not realize is that Hospices vary greatly. The *terminal sedation* you chose to allow be carried out on your mother and my grandmother has only been a recently added as a service by Hospice organizations. Only *some* Hospices have embraced this practice that is a *service for a fee*.
Promoted as *beautiful*, *peaceful*, and a *wonderful death* is nothing more than a slow and intentional death by choice….which leaves me unable to distinguish the difference between this practice and *murder*. This is still the taking of a life, and not by the choice of the victim.
This recent *fee for service* that only *some* Hospices have chosen to practice, is highly controversial and rejected by any hospice that chooses not to follow this often profit driven and selfishly motivated trend that allows others to judge the quality of an innocent’s life.
When you shared with me that you had called in Hospice, I had absolutely NO idea that this practice of *terminal sedation* existed. I am *HORRIFIED*! And, I am stunned that you chose to allow this, and actually watched it happen daily for over a week. I had no idea this practice existed. How could you choose this and allow it to be carried out while you watched?
At what point did you feel you had *done enough* that you had earned the right that you could now, without massive guilt or pains of conscience, feel that death was the best *choice*?
Your mother and our grandmother still had an excellent appetite. She laughed. She visited with others. She was NOT in the final hours of her life. She was NOT having intractable pain.
Many times my grandmother voiced to me her opposition to suicide as we discussed the death of my husband’s father, by his own hand - suicide, and the resulting pain my husband and his family experienced from this act, and the past near decisions of myself and others to consider suicide as an option. My grandmother voiced her opposition to suicide in any circumstance.
My grandmother also placed my grandfather in a nursing home when she finally became unable to care for him at home any longer. She visited him almost every single day. He remained in the nursing home approximately 5 years, with outings and visits to relatives, and many visitors to him. I do not believe she would have ever considered *terminal sedation* as an option to be exercised on my grandfather if it had been available in this area at that time. I truly believe she would have been appalled at the thought.
Dignity In Death?
What is a death with dignity? Who defines that? Who has the right to *choose* this for someone else? Who has the right to *schedule a death*? Does this make it more acceptable? More sanitary?
Biblically, where will you find any hint or notion of *death with dignity*? Did Jesus die a *death with dignity* (crucifixion while being taunted)? Did Paul (crucifixion upside down)? Did Stephen (being stoned)? Did John the Baptist (beheaded)? Did any of the Old Testament recordings speak of *death with dignity*?
Is *death with dignity* an attitude of pride? Whose pride is attempting to be preserved? Who’s life was thought to be being *bettered*? What is the Biblical teaching about pride?
Changes In Hospice
Many hospice organizations are now *for profit* organizations, rather than the original model of *not for profit* organizations.
The first Hospice in the Chicago area only started in 1978. The practice of providing *terminal sedation* for patient’s or family members is very *RECENT*. I had never heard of such a practice until my recent research and investigation within the past week. I knew that the answers to my many questions were making absolutely NO sense medically. Only with asking unending questions did the picture of what was taking place become clear to me…much to my horror.
Many are influenced by, and choose to follow, the convincing words of *comfort* and *dignity* to allow someone to be involuntarily led to their death. Beautiful? If this has become an act of beauty in any portion of our society, what path have we chosen?
How do you reconcile this in your heart, in your conscience, and with your Biblical views and beliefs?
ADDENDUM: After further investigation, it has been definitely confirmed that the hospice organization that carried out the *terminal sedation* protocol on my grandmother is a *FOR PROFIT* organization. Unlike the historical and traditional hospice model of being a Non Profit organization, this Hospice, Seasons Hospice, is a *FOR PROFIT* business. And, as a *FOR PROFIT* business, they still actively solicit volunteers to help provide free support following in the original model/design of original non-profit concept of hospices. Does this add to their profits?
They lease the rooms for this purpose from a local hospital, in this case Lincoln Park Hospital in Chicago, IL … and a second hospital facility in IL, as well. The suites, or rooms for this procedure, are NOT staffed by the HOSPITAL personnel. It is staffed by hospice personnel provided by the Hospice organization. I am not surprised that regular hospital personnel would not be working in this area.
The subsequent patient medical records are not held in the hospital’s medical records department. The person is never admitted as a hospital patient and has no hospital record. They are admitted as a guest of the *Hospice House* that consists of leased rooms within a hospital. The Seasons Hospice business keeps the medical records themselves with extremely different and limited access to medical records….requiring a power of attorney to access. Is this from wanting these records kept from view? Hospital medical records are NOT kept in this manner.
Although *power of attorney* is used as a safeguard to keeping medical records secret in this situation, this is definitely not insurmountable.
Did my relatives realize they were working with a *FOR PROFIT* hospice? Could they have been encouraged, or groomed, to choose this profitable action of *terminal sedation* all along this path?
One additional interesting item is that the *FOR PROFIT* organization, Seasons Hospice, chooses to use *.org* as their website domain name extension. Traditionally, the .org extension has been used for non-profit organizations. This is a FOR PROFIT organization. Interesting that they have chosen the *.org* domain name extension rather than the more common and popular *.com* extension used by *for profit* organizations and businesses…traditionally. This is documented in several places as the common practice traditionally. An example is HERE (see the 2nd paragraph). A quote from this link:
On the international front, the choice used to between .com for commercial organizations, .net for network services such as ISPs and .org for non-profit organizations.
Thoughts
I truly regret that family members chose to follow the *recommendations and pretty words* that encourage a death sentence on an innocent victim from a Hospice organization that embraces this practice of *choosing to schedule death* by *terminal sedation*.
I am so very thankful that not all Hospice organizations follow this practice. Some flatly reject this practice and philosophy. For this, I am thankful. Some adhere to the original philosophy of Hospice to *neither hasten* nor prolong death.
Why is (was) Jack Kevorkian in prison if this practice is legal and moral? Where is the line that differentiates *murder* and *death with dignity* at the choice of someone other than the victim?
The criteria for allowing this practice of terminal sedation are blurry and open for loose interpretation. Who decides and how?
Prayers
My prayer is that this practice will be recognized for what it is. That the anger and horror in my heart and mind will be transformed into never ending action to change the acceptability of this practice of *terminal sedation* and working to assure it is stopped and made illegal.
I pray that the bitterness and feelings of sadness and betrayal that are overwhelming me will be transformed into forgiveness and understanding, but with never-ending action to make sure that this doesn’t happen to someone else….ever again.
I also pray for forgiveness of my having not done enough. And, I pray that nobody else will feel that they have *done enough* that they now have the right to make this choice for an innocent victim.
Your Friend,
Shelly
Since my grandmother was very old and died a slow death by relatives that chose *terminal sedation* (death by sedation and withholding any fluids resulting in slow dehydration until death*), the verses below seem quite appropriate.
NIV
Psalm 71:9
Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
Mark 9:41
I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.,
posted by Prayerful Knitter - Shelly at 5:34 PM
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Christian Views Regarding Euthanasia, More Hospice Facts
Christian Views Regarding Euthanasia
Below are excerpts from the published article *Euthanasia - How Do Christians Respond?* found HERE.
Quality of Life. As put by Chuck Colson:
“One of our major problems as Americans today is that we want only the joy, not the sorrow. Many of us mistakenly believe that life is life only when it is healthy and comfortable. But God knows better. To make us whole, He makes sure that we experience every season—not only the springtime of youth but also the austerity of winter. As C. S. Lewis remarked, this fullness of experience is so necessary to our souls that ‘perpetual springtime is not allowed’.” (Breakpoint magazine article “Mercy Living”)
Nutrition and Hydration. Food and water are considered “ordinary” care necessary to sustain life, along with comforting the patient as best as possible. Nutrition and hydration are not “medical treatments.” Administering food and fluids is not considered “extraordinary means” and withdrawing them, which by itself would cause death, is not acceptable. Indeed, withdrawing of food and water is an excruciating and painful way to die. It takes from 3 to 10 days to die from dehydration and up to 40 days to die from starvation.”
Pain. Modern pain killing medicines offer most dying patients relief. Avoidance of pain as a reason for mercy killing is an ineffective medical argument.
As Christians, we believe God has a reason for everything under heaven, yes, even suffering. Many persons who are on their deathbed have been brought to Christ. Even more often, someone on their deathbed has brought someone else closer to Christ. And we cannot know if the Lord will cause a miracle to occur. We believe that life is a precious thing.
The National Hospice Organization through the vote of its Delegates on November 8, 1990 stated that “the National Hospice Organization rejects the practice of voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide in the care of the terminally ill.” Hospice uses sophisticated methods of pain and symptom control that “seeks to enable patients to carry on an alert, pain-free life” so that their last days may be spent with dignity (National Hospice Organization, http://www.nho.org).
I strongly urge that the entire article referenced and linked above be read in its entirety HERE.
More Hospice Facts
The actions of the terminal sedation protocol and procedure are enacted at the request of a family member that has power of attorney for the patient, then the doctor writes the order, and the process is begun.
The process includes increasing and continuous sedation, usually utilizing morphine, and then withholding of all fluids until death occurs in 3 to 10 days as reported at several links given in my November 22nd post.
This procedure may be used for patients that are deemed to have poor quality of life. This is a very arbitrary decision with loose interpretation, apparently. In my grandmothers situation, she went into the hospice *suite* awake, alert, only confused at times, wanting to eat and doing so successfully, drinking fluids, and moving all her limbs. She was able to stand and walk with help. She occasionally had bladder incontinence. Her confusion was most prevalent at night.
I feel certain that my grandmother NEVER requested this. I feel certain that she had never heard or imagined such a procedure existed and was practiced in the US. This choice was made *for* her by the relative with a signed power of attorney from months prior.
My sister was unknowingly a witness to this procedure. My IL relatives were witnesses and aware of what was being done and that it would result in death. My aunt remarked to me that she *didn’t realize it would take so long* as my grandmother hung on for days. An IL cousin called other relatives and asked them *to support her mother’s decision* at my grandmother’s funeral. How can *anyone* support this?
The Medical Doctors for Seasons hospice ( www.seasons.org or the new internet address, http://honoringlife-offeringhope.org/ ), as reported by the hospice office in Des Plaines, IL are:
Dr. Sanjay Amin, Medical Director (internet information is apparently out-of-date) http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Amin_Sanjay_164073547.aspx
and
Dr. Balu Natarajan http://www.chicagosportsmd.com/
Dr. Natarajan has a bio HERE. And, if the internet publication is correct, I did find it personally interesting that a physician specializing in Sports Medicine and Marathon training was one of the two physicians on staff for this hospice.
This hospice was reported to me by their office personnel to be privately owned, although they were unable to give me the names of the owners. I was told it was owned by *a group of men* by one person, and by *a group* by another employee.
Actions
While this procedure may be within legal boundaries, we will take all possible action to make certain of this. We will also work tirelessly to have this practice be known to exist and to have laws written and enacted to stop it.
I would also like you to be aware that hospices are funded by Medicare (our tax dollars) and supplemental insurance companies. Do you want your tax dollars supporting this activity?
If you disagree with this practice, please join us in contacting your local, state, and federal senators and representatives. Also, make it known to your friends, churches, civic groups and any other sources you feel may be helpful.
And, consider donating to the Illinois Right to Life Committee. Here’s the necessary information from their website http://www.illinoisrighttolife.org/contact.htm :
“You can make a donation by credit card using Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. For now, please call IRLC at 312-422-9300 to make a donation by credit card. We will provide for donations through our web site in the near future.
If you donate by check, please mail your check to:
Illinois Right to Life Committee
65 E. Wacker Place, Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60601
IRLC is a 501 c (3) tax-exempt, educational organization. For the purposes of tax reporting, no goods or services will be provided in return for your donation. None of these funds will be used for political activity. All donations are greatly appreciated and will be used for the specified purpose.”
Thank You
I’d like to thank everyone for your concern, emails, phone calls and comments. It has really helped and keeps me motivated.
Your Friend,
Shelly
NIV
Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
posted by Prayerful Knitter - Shelly at 5:37 PM
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Sunday, November 26, 2006
From Tonight’s Reading, Thoughts
From Tonight’s Reading
Since I am again having difficulty sleeping, I have been spending time in God’s word and found comfort in many passages. Among them is this life confirming passage:
Deuteronomy 30: 19 - 20
19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
And, to rest my mind, I will concentrate on this:
Philippians 4: 8
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.
Thoughts & Prayer
I am thinking and hoping that surely my relatives were stressed and tired, and then led to acceptance of this terminal sedation protocol by pretty words and comforts by those who stood to profit. I pray for both my relatives and those who encourage others to do this and describe it as beautiful. May God forgive all of us…for not doing those things we know we should, and choosing the things we know we shouldn’t…no matter what the motive, enticement or coersion of others.
My heart is both screaming in anger and pain, and yet crying for the loss of my grandmother….and the loss of trust, understanding, and relationships with the relatives that I thought I knew as brothers and sisters in the Lord. I am feeling as though part of my heart has been amputated without anesthesia… and left wondering how it is possible to feel so very angry and enraged at the same time feeling such incredible loss and sadness. The waves of horror at the realization of what has happened are still hitting with ferocity and regularity. And, I know it is still happening…to others….as I sit holding my Bible, typing, and crying.
I am feeling very guilty for not having been aware that this practice of *terminal or total sedation by choice* existed. We must keep ourselves informed of the things that are not pretty and that are difficult and that we would rather turn away from and ignore. Now that I know of this, I am promising to not rest until this is stopped.
I am praying for a everyone to search their heart, learn about the things that are difficult and make us uncomfortable, take a stand, and do everything to change things for the better in a manner that is acceptable to God.
I am working on forgiveness, honestly. This is not easy just now. However, as I loved my grandmother, I also have cared for my relatives that made this decision. As I continue work on forgiveness, my commitment to seeing this practice outlawed will not falter, God willing. Please join me in this effort. It is our responsibility.
Your Friend,
Shelly
posted by Prayerful Knitter - Shelly at 10:21 PM
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Our Work Continues, Outrageous Solicitation, & Prayers
Our Work Continues
My sister and I are continuing our relentless efforts to see that this never happens to anyone else. I have been unable to sleep wondering what victims are currently occupying the beds in the *Hospice Suites*, slowly facing death by continuous morphine administration under their tongues and withholding of all fluids….and dehydration bringing them to death…not in God’s timing, but by the choice and actions of others. I keep thinking and wondering how this can be happening *here*, in the United States, or anywhere in the world. I cannot fathom it.
As baby boomers age and the AIDS epidemic have brought new strains on the health care system and families, is this the alternative we are choosing?
At what point does someone feel the right to determine someone else’s quality of life? Everyone’s situation in illness varies by tiny degrees. How is this determined when it is decided that quality is lacking sufficiently to take someone to their death? My grandmother was still walking with her walker, still talking, still eating and enjoying her meals, still recognizing family and friends. And yet, my relatives requested a *beautiful death* for her by this horrendous practice! What kind of a people are we to allow this?
I have contacted and faxed attorneys and legal centers. We will have legal representation before the week is out. We have contacted all our state and federal legislators…the letters are in the mail.
Would you please help us by contacting your legislators, as well. It is a simple procedure by going to this website http://www.aclj.org/ . On the right side of the front page, under where it says *take action*, simply type in your zip code and click *Write Elected Officials*. All your officials will show on the next page and you can click for each of them to be notified. Just write your email and click send, or have it printed by clicking *print* and mail your letters. Please, please would you take the time and effort to do this.
Also, I need to remind everyone that NOT all hospices embrace the practice of terminal sedation … administration of morphine and withholding fluids until death, even without the victim’s consent. Hospices are businesses, some are non-profit organizations and some are privately owned *FOR PROFIT* businesses. Just as car dealerships, hospitals, or retail shops differ from one to another, so do hospices. I am not trying to paint all hospices the same with one broad stroke!
Outrageous Solicitation?
Among the strongest opposition to this practice by some hospices are those in the faith based communities. Whether Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, etc. they are in agreement against this practice.
Is this an outrageous solicitation by Seasons Hospice for members of faith based communities to spread their message? Look at THIS .
Italicized section is from the Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care of Des Plaines, IL website…
“Mobilizing Faith into Healthcare
A Watchman is a leader in a congregation of people.
The book of Isaiah says that being a watchman is a calling. Watchmen lift up their voices to build up and prepare the way for the people. A watchman may give warning or bring awareness to the congregation.
A watchman is willing to have a vision to carry out a purpose. A watchman exhibits faithfulness, persistence and leads by example. A watchman has a spirit of compassion and concern to bring a peaceful way of living to the people. The Bible refers to being a watchman many times in Isaiah and Jeremiah. Watchmen in the congregations in your community will be all of these things for you and for the members of the church family they serve.”
When I called to inquire about the *Watchman Program*, the female admissions person told me that they could not explain it to me. They were not prepared since it had only been in place for about a month. The girl with which I spoke said she was not prepared to explain it and said she was surprised that it was on the website. She said she would check about why it was on their website as soon as possible.
What does this solicitation look like to you?
Prayers
Please, may I ask that you pray for my sister and I to continue to have strength and persevereance as we continue to work to change the possibility of this hideous practice. Also, please pray for American citizens to become aware of this and be prompted to act by notification of their legislators. Also, please pray that many will fill out a *Will to Live* that can be downloaded HERE.
I also am praying for all those families that are being encouraged to make the decision to follow this act now. I pray that they will NOT choose this, and also become partners in seeing this practice outlawed. I’m also praying for the safety and well-being of all of you and each of your loved ones.
Your Friend,
Shelly
NIV
Deuteronomy 4:39
Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.
Psalm 53:2
God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
Psalm 57:10
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
posted by Prayerful Knitter - Shelly at 4:59 PM 2 comments
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Saturday, November 25, 2006
Additional Information
I have located much additional information and resources for addressing the practice of elective euthanasia in this country. Many cases have been documented across the country and Nebraska has a proposed bill to make this action illegal…death by withholding fluids and nutrition. You can see additional information HERE and HERE.
My step uncle, who has been very interested in and opposed to the process of *legislating from the bench* as described in the book, *Men In Black: How the Supreme Court is Destroying America* can read more about this HERE.
A Quote From C. Everett Koop
“… we must be wary of those who are too willing to end the lives of the elderly and the ill. If we ever decide that a poor quality of life justifies ending that life, we have taken a step down a slippery slope that places all of us in danger. There is a difference between allowing nature to take its course and actively assisting death. The call for euthanasia surfaces in our society periodically, as it is doing now under the guise of “death with dignity” or assisted suicide. Euthanasia is a concept, it seems to me, that is in direct conflict with a religious and ethical tradition in which the human race is presented with ” a blessing and a curse, life and death,” and we are instructed ‘…therefore, to choose life.” I believe ‘euthanasia’ lies outside the commonly held life-centered values of the West and cannot be allowed without incurring great social and personal tragedy. This is not merely an intellectual conundrum. This issue involves actual human beings at risk…”
– C. Everett Koop, M.D. *
*taken from the book KOOP, The Memoirs of America’s Family Doctor by C. Everett Koop, M.D., Random House, 1991.
posted by Prayerful Knitter - Shelly at 7:04 PM
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Open Letter, More Facts, To My Readers
Open Letter to Al and Loyce (Jody), Sylvia and Leslie
Al, Jody, Sylvia, and Leslie…
I’m writing to you with a grieving heart, overwhelming confusion, and concern. And yes, there is still anger, too.
What lesson has been taught to Natalie, Alex, Josh, Nathan, and Alexandria? That life is only acceptable if conditions are met? Rather than unconditional acceptance of others….whether Granny in old age, or a baby that may have a heart defect, only those that are judged *worthy and of enough quality* have the right to live this life? Has it been taught by this example that God doens’t have enough sense of timing or sound judgment to know when a person should live and die, or to determine soundly who has a right to exist?
Jody, over the past couple of years as we became closer…with frequent emails, phone calls, sharing of prayers for each other’s families, I was glad to have a closer relationship with you. I have saved most of our many emails that we have exchanged over the past 11 months. Don’t you remember the many times I asked you to tell Granny in person that we loved her? Do you remember following the process of the shawl and knitted beaded socks that I was knitting and sending to Granny? Do you remember Kim and I offering to take Granny in our own home? Do you remember you saying *no*? Do you remember me researching and finding a nursing home/assisted living center very near our home for Granny, but you saying that it was too expensive and you’d rather find another option? Only after we realized that I was having to go on an expxerimental drug protocol for my illness did we rule out keeping Granny in our home, but promised to visit her every day at the care facility that I told you about? You were the one that decided against that option. Do you remember the pictures that I sent of Ryan and Amanda’s new home and the placement of the pieces of furniture that Granny had given them when her home was sold? Do you remember me telling you how thrilled the kids were and of their thankfulness and me sending pictures of their home and some of the inside rooms? Do you remember your email to me of Aug. 29th, 2006 thanking me for letting you share your problems and burdens….and telling me that Granny’s cardiologist noted swelling in only one ankle and felt it was from trauma…and that her other ankle was fine (which would indicate that CHF was NOT a problem at that time)? And, at the time, she was *NOT* on any digitalis medication. Her CHF was not end-stage, nor severe. Do you remember asking me *how long this could go on* when you were referring to an elderly person continuing to live? Do you remember in your email of August 30th thanking me for being so very caring and *being there* for you? How is it that now, you are saying that none of this existed?
Al, do you remember sending me kind and loving emails as recently as a couple of weeks ago? Nearly every day you were sending me forwards of caring Christian emails, emails with Bible verses and uplifting photographs, and emails sent to *your favorite people*?
Now, simply because I didn’t react in support of your decision for euthanasia for Granny, I am horrible, cruel, and crazed…in your opinion. You chose not to discuss *your* decision with any other family members. You chose to evade questions and hope that this would never be realized or *found out*. Only after continuing with pressing medical questions did I realize what must be happening. I am still horrified. Cheryl came there and was unknowingly witnessing Granny’s terminal sedation protocol being carried out.
When you told me, Jody, that *something needed to be done and you were going to call the social worker* because Granny had been confused and up and about for 4 or 5 nights, I never would have dreamed that you were calling a social worker of a for-profit hospice organization, and that a decision would be made to schedule a death appointment for Granny by their terminal sedation protocol. I thought that a decision would be made for nursing home care, sitters, elder day care, etc. I was totally wrong. I would never had thought in my wildest dreams that this terminal sedation practice existed in the US and that you were making that choice!
I was only speaking factually about the consequences of the process that was being described to me when I asked questions. It made no sense! Dehydration is a prolonged death and *not easy*. They were administering morphine….when Granny’s arthritis at its worst never requird more than Tylenol or an occasional Darvocette. And suddenly, she is being given continuous and frequent doses of morphine? Fluids are being withheld? Days and days of hanging on … and you asked for this, you watched it happen. Do you really believe it was *beautiful* as you told Cheryl the hospice employees were describing it as it occurred?
Sylvia, your loyalty to your mother is admirable. However, when choosing to support someone in a decision to schedule another’s slow death by dehydration and morphine dosing…well, where is your moral compass? What are the priorities of your heart? Your family has been burdened with many problems and painful things this past year. I understand that. However, I am stunned that you can rationalize this action as beautiful and a peaceful thing for Granny?
Leslie, I think your agreement in all of this surprises me most. With you working consistently to raise your children with care and Christian teaching, being committed to their education, and their health….well, I have great difficulty even attempting to reconcile your agreement with this choice for Granny. I hope you have not agreed with this decision because you were afraid to be the one voice of disagreement.
Granny is gone and nothing anyone can do can bring her back. However, we will never stop working to change the option of this *choice* being made for an innocent victim.
This isn’t stopping here. It won’t be dropped. It isn’t going unaddressed and will continue to be broadcast to the public so that laws will hopefully be enacted to change this.
You don’t realize, or may have completely underestimated my commitment to life. Thirty years of being an RN working absolutely for the *opposite* outcome for people from what you chose is only the beginning. I have NO FEAR of the loss of any material posessions that may need to be sacrificed in my efforts…they mean very little to me and have been something the Lord has been teaching me over the past several years…that our security is not in material posessions, money, or in the quest for these things…or the fear of losing them.
I do have one more question. Did you speak to your minister prior to making this decision for Granny? Did you do Biblical research and investigate it thoroughly? Did you ask your Christian leaders or mature Christian friends? Did you inquire about the views of Biblical scholars?
I realize you were stressed, tired, and probably being encouraged by the hospice employees to do this *beautiful act*….but honestly, how could you listen to them and not inquire about the opinions of Christian leaders that you respect? Check online or email for the views of Billy Graham, James Dobson, Donald Wildman, Chuck Colson, Charles Stanley, James Robinson, Rick Warren, or others? What Biblical references did you find to confirm your decision? Or, did you just *hope* the decision was right?
Jody, you said to me that *you hoped you had made the right decision*. How could this decision be made if you weren’t totally convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt? I’m sure you must feel that this was a difficult decision for you to make. Why on earth should any decision such as this ever be easy? I am tagically saddened that it wasn’t much more difficult, or *too* difficult to be made!
I am praying for each of us continually. There is pain, anger and outrage in my heart. However, I do still care for each of you deeply….although I *hate* the action that you have chosen and done. I hate the denial you are choosing to continue hiding in, and I hate your trying to blame everyone else for *your* decision. My prayers will be ongoing for all of us because humanly, I can not accept this, nor understand. Do you see or consider that you have been deceived and led to this path? Does God choose when it is time for us to come home to Him, or do *we* make those choices for others and for God?
More Facts
Everyone, please be aware that having a *living will* or *advance directive* will not prevent the possibility of this action being chosen for you or one of your loved ones. Please inform yourself about documents necessary to prevent this for anyone that you care about.
Read the article HERE. Below is an excerpt from the article:
“Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop said that euthanasia will eventually dwarf the abortion problem. Euthanasia is rushing towards us. Yet society, including the Christian community, hardly even understands it, let alone is prepared to deal with it and its implications.”
A Patient Self Protection Document is necessary to assure the safety of your loved ones or yourself. See information about this HERE.
To My Readers
I realize that several posts back I stated that I would get back to posting about knitting, our farm, animals, etc. However, I have been stunned and overwhelmed by what was chosen to happen to my grandmother. I cannot let it drop. I cannot keep silent. I have many upcoming appointments and trips to be made. I will try to post in the manner of my posts of the past as I can. I am considering starting another blog to track the process of exposure and action taken to prevent the practice of *terminal sedation by choice* in the US. A website for this cause is also being constructed.
Please understand. This subject is not pleasant and may be difficult to read about or even imagine. However, I will not stop. I cannot stop.
Interestingly, traffic to this blog has greatly increased since this topic of *terminal sedation by choice* began here. Hang with me if you can. I appreciate each of you.
Your Friend,
Shelly
I am struggling greatly with anger and being overwhelmed by this situation. I recognize this. Please join me in prayer.
NIV
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Acts 13:38
“Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
Acts 26:18
to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
posted by Prayerful Knitter - Shelly at 5:39 PM
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