Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Lyric

(12,678 posts)
27. I guess I'm the only one who found this article tasteless at best
Tue Dec 13, 2011, 05:08 PM
Dec 2011

and offensive at worst.

"Die quick and cheap, please." Right. Easy for someone who's got a nice house, access to the best palliative care, plenty of good, healthy food, good life insurance, plenty of money to spend on your "bucket list", etc. Not so easy for those of us who have no healthcare, poor quality housing and food, and the despair of knowing that even if you sold everything you own, you STILL wouldn't have the money to fulfill even a single dream. It's hard to let go of life when you'll be leaving behind a spouse and kids who are already poor and will only be WORSE off when you're no longer around to help.

I just love these syrupy, romanticized portraits of what a "dignified" death should look like. Maybe the problem is NOT people who seek "too much" expensive, life-extending care. Maybe the problem is that the expense is a factor AT ALL.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Great, poignant first hand piece. And a look at the broader picture. pinto Dec 2011 #1
Sometimes it's hard to know when to step back and let nature take its course. My mother passed hedgehog Dec 2011 #2
My living will is set up so that I'll escape the tubes and the thumping. GoneOffShore Dec 2011 #3
It was different back in the 60's when my doctor died after he fell asleep while smoking in bed. Speck Tater Dec 2011 #4
I've heard that most cancer demigoddess Dec 2011 #5
2 that I know of 'survived' chemo alittlelark Dec 2011 #6
Seems to be a little swell of information telling these anecdotes about how jtuck004 Dec 2011 #7
I've thought this way since my years in EMS now a few decades in the past nadinbrzezinski Dec 2011 #10
Oh, of course. I saw instances of this when I worked the streets for 2 1/2 years. jtuck004 Dec 2011 #12
yep, articles and attitudes like this are going to make a2liberal Dec 2011 #24
when I was in school to become a medical lab tech magical thyme Dec 2011 #29
I've been saying this for awhile. knitter4democracy Dec 2011 #8
My father is 88 and a retired physician and has the opposite situation. no_hypocrisy Dec 2011 #9
my take on it... handmade34 Dec 2011 #11
I don't really think that's the take away at all, and suggest you read the article in it's entirety. cbayer Dec 2011 #16
I read the entire article handmade34 Dec 2011 #17
I am sorry if I offended you. It was not my intent. cbayer Dec 2011 #18
no offense handmade34 Dec 2011 #20
Please, please read the whole thing tavalon Dec 2011 #13
My grandfather decided to have emergency surgery in an attempt to save his life Nikia Dec 2011 #14
Interview with the author yesterday on SOCal public radio was also very good. cbayer Dec 2011 #15
about this "breaking... ribs... happens if cpr is done right" thing: unblock Dec 2011 #19
Every single nurse I know FloridaJudy Dec 2011 #21
They also have access to loads of painkillers! DaveJ Dec 2011 #22
Unethical and illegal supernova Dec 2011 #23
I'm aware it's not something one would do DaveJ Dec 2011 #26
Then again, I know a nurse and doctor who were diagnosed at the same time Warpy Dec 2011 #25
I guess I'm the only one who found this article tasteless at best Lyric Dec 2011 #27
Very interesting. JNelson6563 Dec 2011 #28
KR DeathToTheOil Dec 2011 #30
Latest Discussions»Editorials & Other Articles»How Doctors Die: It’s Not...»Reply #27