Aid in dying from a doctor's perspective

Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old with terminal brain cancer, is igniting a national conversation about choosing the way to die. CBS News medical contributor Dr. David Agus discusses symptoms of her sickness and weighs in on physician-assisted aid in dying.

[@michaelbell4534]

What this young woman did was not a selfish act but one of kindness, a gift to her family. Her family is left with memories of her vitality and not of suffering and pain. Her family can move on without thinking that there was or should be something more that they could have done to lessen her suffering. They don't have the morbid memories of her laying in bed, hooked up to multiple machines and her in agony. Instead they will remember the last walk with her, her last smile, her last I love you. She was brave and from this act alone it is obvious she had a heart of gold.

[@moonstarr8053]

If someone doesnt want to suffer...they have that right to choose. It is her choice. Her body. There r many terminal illnesses that the treatment is worse than the disease . Too. Example...dialysis.

[@John283T]

Clearly, this is a sad and tough topic. But I support death with dignity. Why should a person have to die a slow painful death, or why should an old person with no family have to waste away in a Home some where? I say no one should. At a time in the past maybe people had compassion. But few do today. To waste away some where is almost torture.

[@daniellel7038]

I support the patients right to choose but I would advocate in favor of palliative care. Pain and discomfort can be managed in a hospice setting. There are social workers, counselors and chaplains to give emotional and mental support. But as said I support her choice regardless.

[@SpaceTraveler86]

I really don't know what I'd do in this situation. It's so tragic. I'm not afraid of dying, but I am afraid of how I'm going to die. To choose a day as the day to end your life, to consciously close your eyes and not ever wake up...I can't imagine what a difficult thing that must be.

[@angeliccaban7936]

agreed

[@blueheaven2135]

Danielle L being blind and paralized by brain cancer its the cituation hospice cant give any comfort.she didn't want to go that horrible stage.

[@lizbradford7706]

@@daniellel7038 palliative care helps some pain but not that cancer a know someone who was in hospital for 6mths in pure pain pain medication didn’t help him he wanted to die the pain was unreal a think people should have the choice

[@zahramajid3353]

Rip love you so much you won my heart how brave strong you was how strong all can be by following you I seen someone go through this pain it’s unbearable your choice was right.

[@jenpizzle1]

Anyone against Death with Dignity should volunteer for hospice. Nowadays people have such strong opinions about things they know nothing about. The pain, the suffering that gets so bad they receive palliative sedation. People are so focused on quantity when it should be about quality of life.

[@23wbeckman]

For those of you against this, please read as I just want to shed a little light. If you still disagree I get it but prehaps this may make you understand little more. My mother at 50 yrs old was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. She died NATURALLY in our home after 11 painful years. It was the hardest thing to watch; her declining from being a fully functional person to not being able to drive or remember where she is. That was the start as I watched her cry when she couldn't even remember how to spell her name. Then to watch her not be able to feed herself, dress herself, go to the bathroom and or speak, just make screaming and moaning sounds. She couldn't leave the house anymore and we were told in the begining she wouldn't have wanted to in that condition. She spend most of her time tearing paper up and doing repetitive things like opening and closing doors and drawers over and over. The last 2 years she was bed ridden with numerous UTIs, and bed sores. She would just stare off into space and yell and all we could do was sedate her. She had no quality of life anymore. She died weighing around 80-90 of starvation because she had forgotten how to swallow. I myself am 29 years old and have a 50%+ chance of ending up dying the same way. I WILL be moving to one of these states as I do not want to have the end of life to be so miserable and I don't want that for my family. When I feel my mind is to the point where I can't even remember what I am supposed to be enjoying, that's when I know it's my time. You do NOT know until you are faced with such a decision. I don't see it as suicide if you do NOT want to died. She even said in the video, if had a choice, she would live. Lets put this in perspective shall we? Some tells you you HAVE to die but gives you a choice of being stabbed repeatedly until you bleed out or take a little pill and drift off to sleep what would you choose? The end result is the same, would you choose to be in agony during your last breath? If you would then I respect that but I feel it should be your own personal decision.

[@Nightmoore]

Props. You said it better than anyone could ask for. I completely agree and I'm sorry for your loss. I can't imagine watching a loved one go through such a thing.

[@Mimarspre]

Amen! I could have not said it better. My mother Also had Alzheimer, and it was heart breaking seeing how a independent and very active woman turned into a shell of herself. I do not want this for me either.

[@shulakakon]

I feel sorry for her loss. this is a women who had everything-parents, good upbringing i think and a mother and father. she wanted a family and i am sorry she is missing out on this-her dream to have children. tragic waste of a good promising future. RIP I had a traumatic and difficult upbringing and i cant have relationships or marriage nor bring up my son who is adopted by my family members but thank god i can see my son and be part of his life. despite my hard upbringing, god blessed me with a beautiful son who i am so proud of and love so much. watching this video makes me realise that i am not the only one who had difficulties and life can be hard but we can only do our best to make things better and of course help other people. so sorry for your loss.

[@Martin29885]

I feel for this woman cancer is an evil thing, that I wish we had a cure for all types. My very best friend just passed from a very aggressive form of melanoma cancer. He was 30 years old. While he did try to "cure" his cancer much likes she describes she tried cancer is aggressive and many times takes over. Towards the end he was tired of fighting and just felt he was ready to be at peace with God. I am not a Bible thumper by any means but I think people should have the right to say enough is enough. The end of life is very hard on the person and the family. It is not a made for TV movie where you just pass in your sleep. It is seizures, loss of bodily functions, agonizing pain that no one should have to suffer through or watch their loved ones suffer through. What is the difference between death with dignity and refusing treatment, it is an end to the same means, but we don't condemn those people. May she rest in peace the way she wants, without your harsh judgement because like the christian you claim to be only God can judge, so why are you?

[@sereneebaby]

I'm sorry about your friend. Yeah, no one has a right to criticize. I believe in God, but I don't believe in humans. humans lie, and I refuse to be apart of a group in which insult and degrade someone with a soul as beautiful as Brittany's. I feel the worst for her family. I don't even want to imagine a life without my parents and brothers, but I'd respect whatever decision they made, because it is ONLY their decision to make. People are calling her a coward for giving up her life, but I bet none of them have gone through the type of pain she had to go through.

[@khminkcuti3]

Doctor's always try to predict how long you'll live but how many doctors have gotten that wrong? There are people who were told they only had months to live and they've lived for many more years with treatment of course. I feel like she should have waited a little longer...but then again Idk how it feels to have cancer.

[@lizbeth1157]

Who are we to be judging her?? If that's what she decided, then so be it. It doesn't mean I would do the same thing but who am I to be imposing my set of beliefs on anyone else? Live and let live.

[@shawn1428]

I think everyone should be given the choice to die on their own free will if they know they will die a slow and painful death within a given timeframe. Watching my aunt die of brain tumors was awful, seeing her decline day by day with months left to live....What human deserves this terrible fate? And why if it up to "YOUR GOD" to decide when you die of something terrible? It's awful.

[@sandraqualls8862]

I have a bit of a unique perspective on these extremely difficult "facing your own mortality" issues. I too have a terminal brain tumor called a chordoma which is a type of bone cancer in the brain. It has a 100percent mortality(death rate) with a life expectancy of around 2 years. Emory University in Atlanta Ga. biopsied it, confirmed the diagnosis, told me it was inoperable as well as unresponsive to radiation and chemotherapy. They told me at the time of diagnosis that it was already fairly advanced and that I had maybe a year to 18months to live with debilitating paralysis, blindness, excruciating pain, and dementia setting in by 6 months. They expressed their sympathies and with a motion towards the door, sent me home to die. That was Oct. of 1998, At the time, I had my husband and 2 little girls, one 18months and the other 7years old. NoOne has ever survived a brain chordoma past the magical 5 year point. The date above is correct. 16 years have passed and I am still here. Of course we sought out a second opinion and found a neurosurgeon at the Medical University of South Carolina who was willing to perform an inoperable operation with a 95percent mortality rate of its own. An extremely radical craniotomy the doctors called a surgical decapitation. I survived the surgery, only to code later that night, but the code was successful and the therapy, pain, suffering and inevitable bouncing from hospital to hospital, near loss of vision, loss of smell, triple brain hemorrhage from MRSA meningitis contracted from yet another craniotomy to save my sight. That resulted in a massive stroke that put me in a Glascow coma of 3, the lowest possible score. My family were told that this would be unsurvivable even if it were the only problem and they should consider making "arrangements" Many more toils a suffering was ahead an is ahead. Right after I woke from the coma as a full stroke patient, with complete amnesia, paralyzed on the left side, and unable to speak, i seized out of the hospital bed and cracked my neck in 2 places. Many of my "near death" experiences were from complications, accidents, some bad medical care, and some of the strangest bouts of plain old bad luck to ever plague a person. I am also a Registered Nurse, which was the first thing this tumor took away. I couldn't catalog all I have lost and will continue to lose if I tried. Neither can I begin to count the blessings I still have. Those chordoma cells are still there planning their next attack as there is still no treatment much less cure and I have already been told that when a visible recurrence happens that there is no one on the planet that can help me. If you are wondering: I hurt everyday, my memory is shot, I have dizziness, visual disturbances, and can't think straight. Many times have come and gone when we didn't know if I would see another day and I am afraid much more of all of this will come, of course I know it will. I never dwell on it too long because i am afraid if I started to really cry, i wouldn't be able to stop. The life I"ve had over the last 16 years has been filled with suffering and heartache, but if I had chosen to end my life, or just slip into that dark night, I wouldn't have seen my two beautiful daughters grow up. Some of the worst emotional pain as I was forced to face my own mortality was thinking of them growing up without a mother and my poor husband trying to explain it to them. In this journey, I have lost control of my faculties, and lost control of my bodily functions, none of which anyone would describe as dignified. I hate the burden my continued care this has brought to my family, yet I considered it an honor to care for my parents when the time came and I don't think my family feels burdened, but do believe it has to be just as overwhelming for them as it has been for me. As for now, I am glad to be alive, and will fight with all I have to remain that way. It has cost much this ''gift" of life, and I know there is much more cost ahead.Cancer is a vicious, unrelenting enemy that took yet another beautiful life in Brittany Maynard. May her life on the other side be an eternal reflection on that beauty.

[@blueheaven2135]

sandra qualls prays for you dear

[@tarantula1225]

sandra qualls .. my prayers for you to heal and no pain.

[@saintjeffrey9685]

My salute to people who choose to die from great pain like those with terminal cancer through assisted suicide or euthanasia have much more to those who keep fighting until the very end sending love from Manila philippines

[@oliviaalvarado91]

Nobody knows how she felt,but thinking about ending her life make me think how strong her pain was :(

[@ruskiryan2398]

R.I.P. Brittany, sleep peacefully girl.

[@Cascina_Vicentini]

RIP Brittany.

[@Fiftay]

This story is very touching my heart goes out to her family and friends. She was very brave to share her story and to choose to end her life. I would not support passing this law in every state for the reason mentioned that people will abuse it. Everyone has different beliefs although I do not fully support(and my opinion does not matter) her decision I understand why she choose to end her life but I would encourage people to fight.

[@16nowhereman]

Really? Who is selfish here? I want to end my life, because I care only about myself? Or, people who want you to live are only thinking about themselves?

[@sezzysays4351]

Hmmm - I have terminal cancer and when this doctor just said they can alleviate pain, well that's not entirely correct. Sure - they can drug your nut off on morphine or methadone or whatever - but then you living your life high as a kite and unsure where you are and what is happening one moment to the next, like some kind of dream state where you are unsure what is real and what is not. The pain will eventually win out... even now I am on extremely strong pain medication and that doesn't take away my pain completely - I have just learnt to live with a certain amount of pain 24/7. Sure, I could take more but then it would effect me mentally, I don't want to be bed ridden at 32 with two young children to look after. I have been on many many drugs - again, this Dr states he can alleviate most of her issues, well sure - just chuck her a drug - that drug has side effects, then they will give you another drug for the side effects which in turn, has other side effects, so you are prescribed another drug - its a vicious cycle. When I was having my year of chemo my bathroom cupboard was like a pharmacy. I know I was in a crazy drug haze. It was horrendous. So, yes - I suppose Drs think they take away all our symptoms by throwing drugs at us - but there is a point where the drugs just don't give you QUALITY of life. There is no point in quantity if you are bed ridden, can't even get up to shower, can't toilet, can't eat, are emaciated, weak, in constant pain (even with pain meds) and your mental ability is completely compromised because you are so drugged out of your skull! That is no way to live out the last few weeks, even months of your life. I don't want that for me, I don't want that for my children and my husband / family. Brittany is a brave, amazing woman who I completely respect for making this decision - because it is not an easy one to make. I commend her for it and I too, when the time comes for me, will make the same choice surround by those I love the most in this world.

[@Nepthu]

She made the courageous choice. It's her life and her choice. Period.

[@christophermiller159]

She fought until she couldn’t RIP

[@joeholloway6417]

I bet a lot of you saying it was selfish of her to take her own life, y'all probably think its ok to abort an unborn child now that's selfish. She's in Gods hands now RIP

[@jakehunsaker8838]

Dr. Agus did a fantastic job at encapsulating the responsibilities of the physician when he responded to the question: “If you were her provider, what would you do?” He clearly stated that his job was to present all the options in a clear, non-biased way and help the patient make an informed decision. After listening to Brittany explain her reasoning for her choices, she is articulate, and her ideas are well thought out so there would not be any reason to question her capacity to make decisions. With that in mind, her idea to have fatal prescriptions is within her right. Further, the ethical principle of beneficence applies because if she was denied the treatment she is requesting, would the provider be doing what is best for her? In her situation, where death is the final step no matter the route of arrival, dying on her own terms sounds completely reasonable.

[@Max-po5sx]

:'( Rip

[@Kathy-sj4hb]

I feel truly sorry for her believing that she had to take her own life and that there was no other choice. I understand she has cancer, however I am watching two people in my family dying of stage four cancer and they are fighting for their lives. They want as much time as possible to spend with their loved ones. Please don't think assisted death is the only choice, there are so many people facing the same struggles this woman went through and they are still fighting to live. I watched my grandmother go through cancer not once but twice and she fought til the end. God Bless her and her family.

[@sereneebaby]

but she WON'T LIVE no matter what. that is the point. I'm glad your family chose to fight, but her's was incurable. why put her parents and husband through that. It is unnecessary. but of course you are right about one thing, this isn't the only option for medical care, but then again dying a slow painful death isn't the only option either.

[@aprilschone1]

She did what was best for her & I'm happy for her :)

[@moonstarr8053]

It depends what type of cancer. You cant make a blanket statement like that...

[@MichaelMMCC]

I have a terminal condition. I will have a Change in Journey, and enter the unknown next, at a time and place of my choosing. I don't need assistance, or the ridiculous opinions of the non-terminal.

[@tyshields1074]

Aid in dying is known as assisted suicide or voluntary euthanasia and is a very controversial topic in America. However, I am here to argue the possible value of it for chronically and terminally ill patients that want to die with dignity and with the help of a trusted medical health professional. Many patients who are terminally ill and have been suffering for some time do not feel that they have control over their lives and so allowing them to control how they will die can help them suffer on their own terms. Having a terminal illness is already a dehumanizing experience and so giving patients the choice to go out of this world on their own fruition and not be forced to engage in medical procedures against their will can be empowering as they experience their last few years, months, and days on this earth. The patients that are in this demographic already are experiencing major fatigue, pain, depression, loss of independence, and anxiety and so creating a sense of dignity and control in their lives by their trusted doctor can be a very therapeutic approach to their own lives. It is obvious that the doctor would have taken every precaution to alleviate the symptoms of the patient and give them every chance to improve and survive the illness that they have before resorting to their aid of death but that does not mean that this is still not a controversial topic. However, there are many arguments that argue that this practice can be done ethically and safely as it is very patient and driven to help them end their suffering in a dignified way. In conclusion, I believe that every patient has a right to die the way that they want to die when it is done in an ethically safe, rational, and methodically thought out way as long as every precaution to help them has been safely done and there is no other option. May the dignity and safety of our patients continue to be the first priority in every physician's practice whether or not they decide to agree or disagree with the “aid of dying” topic. As long as the patient has capacitance to make this decision it should be followed out by medical professionals.

[@Philippe1613]

Notice how the media brings on an 'expert' from only one side of an issue.

[@izabelesilvagomes2436]

Brittany , I 'm from Brazil and I want to tell you that you are not alone. The whole world is rooting for you and praying for you . But the main reason for sending you this message to let you know that God is all you need. Go back to the path of God and deepen your way . You are not a poor thing , is loved by God . He wants to restore your health, your happiness and your life . Not only want to tell you that anything is possible , but beyond that God is big enough for your dreams, your miracle, your satisfaction . Depend on God and believe in his life decides it's his family and best friend . Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me." ( John chapter 14 , verse 6 ) . The best way is , and this is not death . Hug !

[@brian81877]

So if I believe in a magic sky daddy, I can live forever? I just have to believe?

[@christianbourgeois5606]

John Milionis Absolument vulgaire et ignorant !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@pansexualpixels1910]

hey, hey... according to your book, he made the cancer that's Killin her :) Shush and Don't talk about topics you don't understand

[@edgarmota2415]

the name of the church calls{ Deus e Amor }its best in Sao Paulo Brasil the temple of the multidoes missionary David Miranda...

[@JadedVegas]

Now they're using the word "heroic" for individuals who "choose" to bow out?

[@samuelkirk6074]

I have cancer and for people to add other comment that do not have this you know nothing. You know nothing about pain you have not felt life in our shoes. God died for our sins. I will die and suffer for him. I just wish when time comes there was a way to leave much better. Do not judge people when you know what you are talking about.

[@rocknrocky1234]

I am 15 years old. At 7 I was diagnosed with ADHD not bad to most but scary for a 2 grader. 4 not th's ago I was diagnosed with MS disease and have survere symptoms. just 3 weeks ago I was diagnosed with Sarcoma cancer. Is Benin but my family is a long line of cancer people who have died my grandpa who was like a father died 2 years ago of stage 4 pancreodic cancer he's already had cancer about 6 times. I'd be the youngest to ever get cancer at this age. I know I'll get cancer again and again it's scary at 15 your already planning what you want to-do before you die and starting a bucket list, righting wills and planning your death bed. If I told anyone how it feels they'd look at me like I'm over reacting due to it being benign and how cancer isn't always going to come back over spring break I got texts calls videos of my friends partying and having fun while I was in an MRI and about to get radiation.

[@emilylange4748]

Giving Gavin a cup of milk

[@Frups12345678]

For all the fundamentalist Christians wanting to promote their religion on the back of a 29 year young woman who passed away, save your words and do not degrade yourself!

[@erosr1]

Frups I'm a Christian, and I think what she did was very brave and admirable.

[@KR1IS]

She should look at other countries for some type a cure, USA would be the last choice.

[@TristaneNgoletmua]

What part of THERE IS NO CURE do you people not understand. If she's ready to go the. She's ready to go. It's not anyone's place to judge

[@nataliashadlak7334]

People, she is terminally ill. her cancer is like 1/4 of her brain. she did look at other countries and did her research. she was willing to go anywhere. what is so hard to understand? raw food diet wont do anything when the tumor is eating her brain. stop trying to suggest things, she exhausted all options. andto all those Jesus freaks, calm down and stop damning people to hell.

[@nataliashadlak7334]

***** actually , a lot of doctors have seen her case and guess what? she is dying. the cancer in this case will win. Is Anybody listen to the facts? Stop saying she can cure herself, you sound delusional. ugh. you guys stress me out.

[@sereneebaby]

Natalia Shadlak I'm so angry with the lack of empathy. my God, what is wrong with people.

[@fernandoestrada3991]

Personally I think this can be suicide end God condemns it. Sorround your life to Jesus let Him do hes will you surely live. I recognize that an illnes can kill you body but not your soul. Jesus loves you and I ask you in the name of Jesus Christ to do not do this.

[@0oneigello0]

how can this be suicide if she is going to die anyways.....?

[@amerie1987]

No one should speak for God. I believe God is righteous, and it is with faith that I know that God is the only one to judge her on whatever she may choose. And so I respect her choice, however way she lets her story end. #herchoice

[@Johnny-xg5hp]

I do not personally believe in euthanasia/assisted suicide. Although it is wrong to take one's own life, a person who commits suicide may not be responsible for his or her acts and we do not have the capacity like God does to judge them. As amerie1987 put it so lovely; only God can judge such a matter. A great and wise man once said; “Obviously, we do not know the full circumstances surrounding every suicide. Only the Lord knows all the details, and he it is who will judge our actions here on earth.“ When God judges us, I feel he will take all things into consideration: our genetic and chemical makeup, our mental state, our intellectual capacity, the teachings we have received, the traditions of our fathers, our health, and so forth”

[@oliviaalvarado91]

She never mention God.May she RIP.

[@Neo-X5]

Right to Die

[@rthelionheart]

I've always thought Medical Doctors are not expected to cause any sort of harm. Thought it was a requirement for them but Oregon seems to be optional🤨