Patient Choices Vermont | Karen's Story

[@smith3319]

R.I.P. Beautiful Karen! Your amazing spirit will definitely live on! 🙏🏽🖤

[@KiwikimNZ]

Whst a lovely person. Thank you for sharing her story. I am a nurse and see the suffering of end of life, it breaks my heart. We are lucky here in New Zealand that our end of life bill has been passed. I’m so pleased that she was able to have the choice and end her life on her terms not on the terms of her illness. RIP x

[@bohochic2459]

Kiwi - Thank you for all the support, care, concern, and compassion that you so graciously give to your patients. I have such deep respect and admiration for all that you contribute as a Nurse. I truly appreciate, as I know so many others do, the numerous hours of hard work that you contribute. I can only imagine the toll it takes on you to witness the pain and suffering that your patients go through. I do not doubt that there have been many times you have lost a patient, and have had to find a quiet place to shed some tears, while still having to compose yourself, and put a smile on your face when it is the last thing you want to do so that you can give it your all to tend to another patient. The numerous amounts of times that you do this day in, and day out, most definitely takes a toll on your health, well-being, and peace of mind. I truly hope it brings you a sense of comfort to know that your kind, tender, and caring heart is fully appreciated. You and other Nurses become a treasured part of a patient's journey. You become an integral part of the family. I hope with all my heart, that you give yourself the utmost self-care. You must put yourself at the very top of your priority list. Thank you for making a profound difference in a patient's life. The world is a much kinder, and more caring place with you in it. 🦋👼🕯✨️🙏💙

[@audreycasassa1683]

@@bohochic2459 So well said!!!

[@bohochic2459]

@@audreycasassa1683 - thank you so much. So very kind of you. Wishing you a blessed and peaceful New Year for 2023. 🦋👼🕯✨️🙏💙

[@Doug-tp1jp]

An astonishing child of the Universe !

[@cathiechase1424]

Great story of strength and hope.

[@amandagreen8819]

I support this and have for many years and I hope everywhere soon has the death with dignity laws, and the process should be alot easier!

[@fredsmith3456]

So sorry for her but admire her courage.

[@bigrooster6893]

There’s some people who fight the battle until their last breath no matter how bad they suffer and then there’s people who want to die before they start suffering I truly believe nobody should be denied the way they want to die.

[@rodneyhill5960]

I’m the first example. I’m dying and it hurts but I’m waiting on GOD to take me when HE is ready but I don’t judge anyone that chooses otherwise for themselves. I refuse further treatment so essentially I am deciding for myself too in a way.

[@olyacarell6434]

@@rodneyhill5960 I'm sorry. But there's no god

[@lois7235]

@@olyacarell6434 yes there is

[@olyacarell6434]

@@lois7235 you've proof, then? Let's see it

[@heavenlee4117]

@@olyacarell6434 bug off, worthless troll

[@Cathleen861]

Beautiful. I am grateful Karen had options.

[@runnyhunny786]

Think I'd rather just have good pain medication and stay somewhere that's nice and serene, and spend my days listening to my favourite music, maybe a good carer on hand and my someone special nearby ( if there was one ). Not too many people around me - I prefer more privacy even with this kind of thing.

[@anacortinas6034]

Same me too

[@laceybanter5937]

Death is often not that easy.

[@hoosierbaddy3052]

@@laceybanter5937 as if it announces when it’s going to come calling too. We’d all like to plan our death same as we plan our lives. Since we’re in constant denial about our own demise, it’s difficult to properly plan for it.

[@Snoopcat_1114]

Thank you for sharing, and being such a great human and advocate. I wish i knew you. I too will be choosing this route when the time comes. Suffering in physical pain with no chance of a cure is cruel and inhumane.

[@deborahdavis8769]

Her walk in a cemetery was beautiful. Cemeteries do represent journeys. 🙌

[@19irving]

Interesting that she takes a walk in the cemetery.

[@sallyclay1974]

Always sad , when a young person dies before their time. It's good that Medical staff snd families r starting to recognize, u should have a choice of how you handke your end of lifr

[@mjd2491]

We can put down our beloved dog and cats...

[@bobs1356]

This poor women, she seemed like a great person just listening to this video.

[@patticakes74]

Feel you pain 💔 😞 4 years and ready to do the same ... can't live this way to be disappointing 😕 😞 🇺🇸💔😎👍🚫💫😇

[@girlee0303]

I’m so sorry 😢

[@teresaf4251]

I am so sorry.. sending you lots of light & love. {{{hugs}}} ❤️🧡💜💛💚💙

[@waynelutz4864]

A very brave young lady! I wish my wife could have had that option! I think she would have chosen it!❤️🙏

[@TheJrj430]

What cancer did she have?

[@sterlingmatsui154]

Sadly, Stomach Cancer:(

[@sallyclay1974]

Typo handle and life

[@rbdb8953]

No. . . No. . . Yes, there's prolonged physical suffering, but it's so much shorter than taking a risk on eternity. I am a suicide loss survivor. Please, please 🙏

[@nickbryant2318]

This isn't suicide. You are tellingher to suffer

[@carolnorton2551]

All religion is superstition. period.

[@michaelmarlin9276]

What wonderful god you believe in. Allowing people to suffer excruciating torment all for what? Christian douchebagerry thinking like that has held society back for many years.

[@elainekomara8555]

Very true.. God will come for a person.. suicide is never the answer.. sad..

[@elainekomara8555]

Nick Bryant then what is it.. she is taking an overdose of pills.. what is it called?? It’s not good..

[@danielcain1003]

So basically what we have here is a commercial for suicide.

[@heavenlee4117]

The important distinction I see between suicide and euthanasia is this: one commits suicide to escape from mental illness or severe emotional distress, while euthanasia spares a physically, terminally-ill person from a horrendous quality of life due to late-stage terminal physical illness. Mental illness and grief can be treated and the quality of life can be improved. But for the physically, terminally ill, sometimes the terribly slow, revoltingly disgusting, and excruciatingly painful way that the illness ends is more than enough reason to mercifully spare the dying patient. Drowning in your own saliva, suffocating for days or weeks because you can't inhale deeply enough to get oxygen, losing your arms and legs to hypoxia and necrosis, where they turn blue, then grey, then black and smell like a rotten carcass, unable to control the steady flow of liquid waste to your bowels or bladder, acquiring frequent urinary tract infections and pressure sores from the constant soaking in your own waste, losing command of all sensory-motor functions, losing the ability to speak and tell anybody that you are in agonizing pain, constantly horrified by the reality that you might be stuck that way for years with no way to express your need, losing your sight and hearing, taste and smell, losing your mind to the point where you think your family members are evil scientists coming to do terrible experiments on you, so you violently attempt to kill them and curse them without restraint, your body rotting from the inside out and smelling like a sewer, your teeth caked with rotting food because you are too demented to let anyone near them... I have worked in skilled care facilities and seen many of these things. Maybe you could endure one or two of the lesser symptoms for a few years if your pain threshold is high and you are a relentless optimist. I pray you never have to. ER and ICU doctors and clinical staff have to deal with these awful end of life scenarios quite often, and they are generally the most outspoken proponents of compassionate euthanasia legislation. Yes, life is sacred, but so is death. There is a wise balance to be found between the devaluing of life at one extreme, and cruel and heartless torture on the other extreme. May God give us the wisdom we need to discover that balance for the good of all humanity.

[@freshliving4199]

@@heavenlee4117 No human being in right relationship with God will suicide or euthanize themselves.

[@heavenlee4117]

@@freshliving4199 We can agree to disagree. I respect your viewpoint. God is merciful to the suffering and calls us to express His mercy to to those who suffer.

[@keepingitreal618]

If that's what you want to call it to me it's death with dignity something I love and support. Everyone is allowed their opinion. ❤️

[@danielcain1003]

@@keepingitreal618 Since new pronouns are all the rage, how about, friendly assisted life termination.

[@elainekomara8555]

She doesn’t mention her God and Creator..not once.. she just talks about her decision.. not good..

[@mikesmith1702]

why would her God and Creator do this to her? She must have sinned I guessed.

[@longbeachwoman]

Where was he/she when she needed a cure?

[@loveisallthatmatters21]

Its no ones business to judge her or anyone else but ourselves. Shame on the "Christians" who do this especially as their god and bible specify that no one is qualified to judge butthecreator. The real truth is the only judgment that matters is our own about ourselves. Love is all that matters and spewing nastiness and judgement indicates that either your god isn't doing its job well or you arent, which is it??? Just love, no judge

[@loveisallthatmatters21]

Seriously???? You once aren't a Christian because Jesus talks about love, not judge and you must be a kind decent human based on your comments either. Shame on you and your judge know it all statements! Love to know when the creators source put you in charge

[@kelleyannethomas5372]

@@mikesmith1702 That's a horrible thing to say. No one deserves this.