Last day of life all planned out, down to the polka

[RiverStone]

PORTLAND -- Lovelle Svart woke up Friday knowing it was the day she would die.

There was much to do. Her family and closest friends would be gathering at 11 a.m. in the Portland assisted-living center where she lived with her mother.

She directed trips to the grocery store and even called AAA to jump-start the dead battery of her 2006 Scion. She double-checked delivery of food platters. There would be pink roses on the dining table and a boom box in the corner to play the polka tunes she loved.

Lovelle made one last trip to a wooden footbridge in a nearby park where she had found quiet sanctuary recently as cancer spread from her lungs through her chest and throat.

The consummate planner, she had choreographed the day. She wanted to leave time -- five or so hours -- for storytelling, polka dancing and private goodbyes. And at 4 p.m., she intended to drink a fatal dose of medication, allowed by Oregon law, that would end her life.

full story here:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003918100_suicide02.html

* * * * * * *

A very touching story, and a reminder that her final choice (per Oregon's Death With Dignity Act), protects a fundamental freedom that allowed her to die with dignity and grace - as she wished.

Other states should consider similar legislation.


peace~

[Ganja Ninja]

1. It sure would be a lot better than the alternatives people use to ...

commit suicide. Some of which are downright gruesome.

[Lindsey]

5. Wow.....I wish California would have a proposistion for this...a really

gentle story.....bless her and her family and friends.

[TomInTib]

2. An absolutely beautiful, touching story.

My best friend and business partner is under the knife this very minute.

Partial radical mastectomy.

[AuntPatsy]

3. I think we should all have that right. I wasn't aware Oregon did, other states should

take note.

[Burma Jones]

4. Choice is good, but I am reminded of Dylan Thomas.......

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.



But I am glad Oregonians can make their own choice in the matter and bow out the way they want.

[intaglio]

17. DT is good but consider Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 (emphasis mine)

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth?

[ourbluenation]

6. how could any just "god" have a problem with that? wonderful story - thx for sharing. n/t

[ProgressiveFool]

7. Great story, but weird situation, to me at least

Intellectually I support this right to choose as well, but reading the story had me fighting so many pre-conceived notions, survival instinct, etc. Mind-boggling and surreal, I would have to say.

[Arkansas Granny]

8. It's too bad that this is not nationwide practice. I think this is a very

honest and humane way to deal with terminal illness.

[renate]

9. I think the best thing about the Death With Dignity Act...

... is that it gives people a feeling of control at a time when they are otherwise at the mercy of their illness.

They don't usually end up using the medication to end their lives, but until the very end it's their choice not to do so, so the ultimate power of life or death is with them instead of with their cancer, right up until their very last minute of consciousness. That control must be a huge psychological help.

And then, of course, for those who do use the medication to end their lives at a time of their choosing, it really is a dignified death. I wish everybody in the country had this choice.

[MissB]

10. There was a whole series on Lovelle.

The Oregonian wrote about her for months. See this link: http://blog.oregonlive.com/oregonianeditors/2007/09/lovelle_svart_story_poses_ques.html

[never cry wolf]

11. Glad to be the 5th rec

I had a friend whose lil sister went to Oregon for that reason. Terrible cancer had spread throughout her internal organs, she was in deep distress, her intestines were blocked and she was vomiting her own feces because there was a two week delay getting the drugs because the feds tried to stop it. They were finally able to get them anonymously in a brown paper bag in a parking lot. She was not able to have all the dignity she desired due to the feds but she was finally able to ingest and hold down the stuff and finally be pain free and at peace.

[Robbien]

12. Now, that is how I would like to go. Well,,,

perhaps minus the Polka.

It is a wonder most states declare this illegal.

[earth mom]

13. K & R! nt

[AnneD]

14. Her death was better than

the circus that has followed some famous cases as of late.

[SoCalDem]

15. Families do this all the time.. they just cannot talk about it..

Pain meds given in late stages of illnesses are often used to ease the way out.. Doctors do not talk about it, nor do the families, but it happens all the time.:cry:

When an elderly friend of mine was dying, her husband was given "ample" pain meds by the doctor, with a "wink & a nod".. whether he "used" them or not, was not something anyone every really talked about, but Thelma passed peacefully..

Good for her for going public..

[progressoid]

16. ...

I wouldn't mind going like that.

Happy and peaceful.

[Th1onein]

18. I AM going to go like that.

I've got it all planned out. I made up my mind about it after seeing my son die. No God that loves us could want us to suffer so much.

[PassingFair]

19. That is bravery and dignity RIGHT THERE!

I wish I had known her.

:cry: