Cancer's 'Third Rail' issue - Right-to-Die laws

Today I learned of the death of Christy O'Donnell, a 47 year old woman who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in June of 2014.  Christy played a key role in the passage of California's Right-to-Die legislation that was signed into law by Governor Brown last October.  Unfortunately for Christy, she was unable to take advantage of new law, because it won't be in effect until later this year.  In her final months, Christy was made comfortable through hospice care, although her family reported that she did suffer seizures and breakthrough pain during her final weeks - suffering that could have been avoided if Christy was allowed to end her life on her terms.

I began following the death with dignity debate in the California State Legislature soon after diagnosis, sending emails to my reps and watching committee hearing testimony.  Even as I was starting treatment to extend my life, in this way I was also focused on my death.  About this time, I also started to read Bernie Siegel's book "Love, Medicine & Miracles" where he talks about the fact that 20% of cancer patients just want to die.  They don't allow themselves any hope, and they don't have faith in treatment.  I had to ask myself, by focusing on securing a right to die on my own terms, was I one of Dr. Siegel's 20%? 

When the legislation stalled, I was angry that I was being denied the choice. I respect people's right to have their own religious beliefs, but I also don't want to have those beliefs imposed on me. I explored moving to Oregon, where death with dignity was legal.  A move just seemed so stressful and drastic at a time when I most need to focus on my health, not adding stress to the situation.  Dr. Siegel says that to survive, you have to want to live to be 100.  Frankly, hoping for a good 10 more years seemed miraculous enough when you are up against lung cancer statistics.  So am I being realistic or fatalistic?  How does someone maintain a strong sense of hope and resolve in the face of a terminal diagnosis?  I don't have the answers, I can only maintain a positive attitude and not take each day that I feel well for granted.

When he signed the controversial legislation into law, Governor Brown wrote a letter to the California State Assembly explaining his decision.  The last few lines of his letter state "I was left to reflect on what I would want in the face of my own death.  I do not know what I would do if I were dying in prolonged and excruciating pain.  I am certain, however, that it would be a comfort to be able to consider the options afforded by this bill.  And I wouldn't deny that right to others."   In the end, the Governor's words are exactly how I feel.

In the spirit of not taking time for granted, here is a little video I put together with random moments from January: