When I started this blog, I started it as a fun and creative outlet, but I also started it to write about what matters to me and world happenings at large. As I type this, my heart is breaking. When I envisage a terminally ill brain-cancer patient I think of someone who is old and frail with an overall "ill look." I do not imagine a young, vibrant and articulate 29 year old woman. The story of Brittany Maynard and her right to die with dignity campaign has gripped the world, and has equally so gripped me.
Brittanys Story
Brittany Maynard was diagnosed with brain cancer on January 1st, 2014 after having experienced months of terrible headaches which were passed off as migraines. A few days later, her doctors performed a partial resection of her temporal lobe and a partial craniotomy in order to keep the tumour from growing. A few months after this, her doctors realised that her tumour had returned, more aggressive than ever and her diagnosis was elevated to stage 4 glioblastoma - a destructive malignant brain tumour; she was given six months to live and was told that together with persistent headaches and seizures, she would most likely experience personality changes as well as loss of speech amongst other devastating side effects. The treatment options were likely to prolong her life for a while, but deteriorate the quality of her life. Brittany, together with her family, made the decision to end her life and by doing so, in her definition, die with dignity before her disease stripped her of all of it. She relocated from California to Oregon, one of the five states in which euthanasia is legalized, and on November 1st 2014, she exercised her right to die; she died peacefully in her bedroom surrounded by her loved ones.
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/07/opinion/maynard-assisted-suicide-cancer-dignity/index.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lHXH0Zb2QI
Euthanasia ~ Killing or Caring?
Euthanasia has been a highly controversial topic ever since the idea was first introduced. The definition of euthanasia is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease. I debated on this topic in high school and it has interested me ever since. As per my religious and personal views, I do not advocate that a person should have a right to choose when and how they should die. Yet from a Psychology point of view I try to understand the rationale and mental state of the person having to make the decision. Brittany Maynard was afraid of what was to come, and what was to become of her, so she chose to put an end to it whilst she still could choose. The Vatican, hundreds of religious groups, cancer patients and individuals alike are all vehemently commenting on how wrong it was for Brittany to choose to take her own life. Wrong to take control from the Higher Power into her own hands. What if a cure was found the day after she died? What if she was never to suffer beyond headaches and seizures? Questions and opinions can fill up in our minds, but no matter how much or how vigorously we enforce that her decision was the wrong one, it doesn't change the fact that she is gone.
Self-Reflection
In her last days, Brittany said that ultimate success for her would be to be able to live a healthy and happy life. How simple, pure and absolutely beautiful. If this same question was asked to us, what would our response be? Ultimate success for us is a bigger house, a better car, more travels, more kids, a better career. Not many of us would say an ultimate success is to live a healthy and happy life - and yet that is what it ultimately all about, isn't it? My purpose behind this post is on one end reflection on euthanasia, and on the other end - self-reflection.
I am trying my utmost to not be cliche, so forgive me if any of it sounds so - I feel it has to be said. Ever so often we think that our minor problems are the end of the world, for lack of a better comparison. We have heard it hundreds of thousands of time - Life is too short to be anything but happy. However, we do not truly process, understand and live it unless we are faced with situations like these - situations where young, beautiful and vibrant individuals have the life snatched out from other them. Today, think what you would do or say in a realistic sense if it was your last day on Earth. Then ask yourself, why haven't you done it yet?
Life is short. Forgive. Forget the trivial. Enjoy the good. Laugh. Travel. Eat. Love. Love. Love. Life is too short to be anything but happy.
Positive vibes & The Mandatory xoxo
Hali
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