An Oregon man with terminal colon cancer chooses to die with dignity

Ben Wald was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2005. By 2011, it had spread to his lungs. Wald had shrunken down to 118 pounds. That's when he decided to talk to his wife about using Oregon's Death with Dignity Law. Wald's wife, Pam, tells his story.

[@poupee9564]

A law to have the choice of dying with dignity should exist in every country

[@donnathomson4048]

Absolutely

[@beckywest8035]

I lost my dad to colon cancer in 2004, it spread throughout his body. 6 years later, I'm diagnosed with colon cancer. Early detection saved my life! I miss my dad every minute of every day! RIP Dad

[@barbarawright5774]

Oh girl. May you stay clean. I pray that for my daughter as well

[@nisanight2247]

My cousin used hospice. It was a slow horrifying end filled with tears, groaning, panting, sweating, crying out. We wouldn't put our pets through that. This is a good death. Hospice is hell.

[@donnathomson4048]

My Mom cried out. She was very agitated. The hospice nurse used her morphine and she calmed down n she has a pleasant passing. I am so sorry for what you went through hugs

[@nisanight2247]

@@donnathomson4048 I'm so glad it worked out for you. My cousin wasn't sedated enough and it wasn't just agony for her, it was horrifying for the family too. I could not have imagined a less peaceful death when you are supposed to be under the care of professionals.

[@bobs1356]

They need the right to die in every state. Some people cancer pain is worse then others.

[@nisanight2247]

@@bobs1356 I completely agree.

[@bobs1356]

@@donnathomson4048 It all about money that why the states only let u suffer before u die.

[@sallyclay1974]

My landlord died from colon cancer. He suffered with it, for 4 years. He was over 6 foot tall, and wasted away to about 80 lbs. He was 56. He left his grown children and his wife, well taken care of.

[@orbs1062]

Bless you for helping him.

[@marysaade4343]

I believe everybody should have that choice if the quality of life there’s nothing

[@eon14873]

its disgusting that we have a culture of keeping people alive at all costs. it should be everyones human right to choose the end on their own terms. his last choice was the right and brave choice. take care

[@lindamastropietro4429]

That’s wonderful. I’m glad he had the right to do that.

[@lorij6796]

My husband had terminal Esophageal Cancer. Feeding tube, chemo and radiation. All for less than 2 years without quality of life. He was a tall and a large man. When he was at his worst probably a bit over a hundred pounds. I used the same comparison as you, looks like from Aushwitz. He passed with help from hospice. When It's my time I will definitely chose death with dignity.

[@jaqlyn7603]

My father has stage IV esophageal cancer. It’s a terrible disease. I wish we had this option in our state.

[@Macy-hg2or]

⁠@@jaqlyn7603 Im so sorry I know what you are going through. That is my comment above yours. I just read it and thought that happened to my husband! I had forgotten that I wrote that! My husband suffered after remission his cancer came back with a vengeance. Death with dignity is for me the best option. 2:30

[@barbarawright5774]

You are a brave and wonderful woman. May God Almighty comfort and help you in Jesus.

[@gm2282]

We should have this choice!! Watching what my mom went through it's not fair.

[@rubytuesday1316]

Exactly! My mom went with a brain tumor. She died without dignity, in pain, in fear, feeling like a burden to all and was the scariest thing Ive ever witnessed.

[@Howiesgirl]

I can't imagine a better way to go. May he truly be resting in peace, & I pray his family & dear friends are finding peace as well. I wish I lived in a state that allowed this, as I've been dealing with cancer for 5 years & have no clue as to how I may end up.

[@krissyredline7216]

God bless you stay strong god is watching over you

[@Howiesgirl]

@edda green Well, for now I'm hanging in here, with the help of weekly blood transfusions... thank you so much for asking. 😊 It always makes me feel better when a random stranger on the internet asks about my well-being. I hope you have a nice weekend.

[@gigib.965]

@@Howiesgirl hi Darlene…how are you??…May god bless you and heal you🙏🏼♥️❤️

[@Howiesgirl]

@@gigib.965 Thank you for your concern. At the moment, not much has changed since when I made my original comment. I've started a new type of chemo, so we'll see how that goes. Thank you for your kindness, I truly do appreciate it. Many blessings to you.☺

[@proudman6651]

​@@Howiesgirl hope chemos did the job and you are well now.

[@christinem.carter-wanner5304]

God bless this family!

[@thehangingparsiple5692]

I hope you're doing ok, Lynne. Absolutely beautifull video, so powerful in it's simplicity ❤

[@thehangingparsiple5692]

A friend of mine had gone to the doctor two or three times worried that he had cancer of the bowel; he knew what the signs were because his own father, grandfather, and great grandfather had all died from it. But he was sent away and told he was worrying over nothing, that he was depressed and paranoid because of his father's death. Six months later and he passes away from bowel cancer. RIP, Clarky ❤

[@Macy-hg2or]

So sorry for your loss.

[@jdmmg4904]

This is heartbreaking, and it was negligent behaviour by the doctors:(

[@shervin_sf0419]

Rest In Peace 🙏 He's in a better place now ❤️

[@daceliepins9108]

God bless your family. Rest in peace.

[@GaryEdge88]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@4465Vman]

"Final Exit" by Derek Humphrey is one of th e best books on this

[@sylviawilliamson8913]

Brave Soul’s Bless You x Pam, Love ❤️ from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Uk 🇬🇧 x

[@kathyduvall6384]

5 years later. Thank you gor sharing

[@rc1411]

Personally for me, I'd think it'd be a little weird in the last few minutes before I drank the liquid. To know that in less than 10 minutes I'll know what it's like on the other side and learning all the stuff I had gone my entire life wondering about. That I simply will fall asleep and the people I see around me will get in their cars and continue each day like normal. Like I did all of my life and now I'm on a complete different trip and I can't come back or pick up a phone, write a letter, send a text message telling them all about it. How strange that would feel.

[@mambi74]

Its weird for you, or anyone who isn't sick, because you're not suffering like he was. Fentanyl was developed for a reason - the inescapable pain they're going thru is beyond words.

[@jeanineberna8458]

Most people don’t have the choice, due to accidents, however, when someone can have the choice , due to sickness, it’s so much more acceptable. I would make the same choice

[@justicewillprevail1106]

This should be legal globally. It is cruel to accept anything otherwise.

[@janiceyoung7273]

REST PEACEFULLY SIR BEN.

[@salfromoregon4369]

God bless you. Courageous decision and it sounds like the right one. I live in South Salem.

[@alisonmason7593]

Bless your hearts both you and your husband love and respect for each other ♥️till you meet again up in heaven ♥️🌟⭐️✨🌟🙏🏻

[@sandradalton1611]

Rest in peace 💔

[@ireallydcanymore]

This isn't the most appropriate random comment to make considering the nature of this video, but I absolutely love your profile picture! Your dog is so cute, and you're so pretty! It's such a great photo :) I hope you have an amazing day and I'm sorry for being so random haha

[@sandradalton1611]

@@ireallydcanymore Hello friend. Thankyou for the compliment!! My dog is more handsome than I am pretty lol. I hope you have a wonderful day. ♥️♥️🐕

[@dl7423]

very sad and very matter-of-fact - rip sir

[@heidi6308]

Everyone should have the choice.....

[@shelleykaplan8601]

What is death n dignity law?

[@carlthellama3435]

If god exists they’d understand. It’s not like you’d go to hell for being sick and watching relief be it physical or mental.

[@fernemcallister6774]

Everyone should have that choice.

[@priscillamcclure4272]

Oregon? How did he get these pills??

[@salfromoregon4369]

Oregon was one of the first states in the nation to pass this law. At least 6 years ago, maybe longer.

[@ambrid5837]

Oh karen

[@thepatriotpartyofamerica]

Rip

[@angelwingzzz777]

Does anyone know if those meds paralyze you? I mean you would think no ...but i would be terrified that if i took the meds and things felt wrong would I be able to say something. It's a very brave choice to take the medication to die. 😔

[@krissyredline7216]

You fall asleep then hart stop

[@Macy-hg2or]

I fully support death with dignity ❤ 1:30

[@watchgoose]

how does one take *100* capsules???

[@robertdabbs2606]

For various conditions I take 19 various pills/capsules every morning. I can imagine taking 5 or so "handfuls" at a time to equal 100

[@nobody-rr5ln]

You re right: 100 capsules is huge! i would be afraid to throw up. Or else. Whatever, he could at least go in peace with the love and care of his wife and his friends.

[@jeanettel.hebert8270]

I think, first one takes an anti nausea med about 1/2 hr. Before, then the capsules having been emptied into a glass are mixed with a moderate amount of juice, etc. To dull the bitter taste when they are swallowed. Some chocolate pieces may be taken also, but not much. Then, after a few minutes, sleep comes, then death. Then eternity!

[@byebyebadman2313]

Watch the film 'Paddleton'

[@ig2671]

Why is it other countries can have this option...but uk wont? Its personal choice.i want it when my ms gets unbearable.vets stop animal suffering..they dont have choice obv but most people can make a CHOICE pro uk euthenasia if competent

[@jdmmg4904]

❤

[@eileenstehr7680]

ALL HAVE TO ANSWER TO GOD!!!!

[@jeancoombs4241]

I think we should all be presented with a pill . And make up our own minds when we want to go . No one should die in agony ( we were once told we never would because there were pain killers that the drs would give us ) this is not true

[@elizabethharris156]

100 pills? That’s ridiculous.

[@k0smon]

Liz//// What is ridiculous about that? You don't swallow the pills. You empty them out into some other medium like applesauce. Some places use Nembutol (Pentobarbital) to accomplish the same result.

[@jenniferjuniper97]

Even if pulverized, that's an enormous about of drug to digest. The death would be uncomfortable to some degree.

[@jgd777]

​@@k0smon YES I ALSO HAVE PLANNED MY EXIT@HOME I FOUND A RELIABLE SUPPLIER. JUST 15GM NEMBUTAL IS ENOUGH IT CAN EVEN BRING DOWN AN ELEPHANT

[@mandysmith7326]

AMEN

[@tommahon4067]

As someone with terminal cancer, I hate this term "death with dignity." I am going to die naturally; nothing will take away my dignity. I don't need to choose suicide to have dignity. I know friends that were diagnosed and chose to put a bullet in their brain; that was so brutal to their family. Death is not going to be painful or involve suffering. I will have my family and I will have hospice to help me and my family. I will have dignity without suicide.

[@jharvey73883]

@Tom Mahon I agree. I will die naturally as well! God is the giver of life and death....

[@jesselivermore4318]

so true you both.God bless you.

[@jesuschristislord427]

Yes

[@MillionaireMindMotivation]

Love it. That’s what God would want as Jesus died for us. Not fair to murder the body because the body is not ours to decide when we die.

[@Master_Petes_Theater]

That's your choice. Other people have the right to determine their own fate when faced with suffering.

[@christymallesky8670]

Christian Sympathy

[@jesselivermore4318]

death with dignity sound scaring...