RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The “Foresty Way”: My Mother’s Brave Choice of Medical Aid in Dying
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 553
OP 554
DO 10.1370/afm.2606
VO 18
IS 6
A1 Handley, Margaret A.
YR 2020
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/18/6/553.abstract
AB I miss my mom, who died last year, and I want to tell the happy story of her death, or perhaps the story of her happy death through her choosing and accomplishing medical aid in dying. My mom was 85 when she died, had atypical presentation of lymphoma which took time to diagnose, and went through 3 painful months of surgery, radiation, and a single horrific round of chemotherapy. She suffered a lot. When she was in the hospital recovering from chemo, I witnessed 3 amazing doctors being true to core values of their profession. But the most profound aspect and gift of the events surrounding her death was the way in which making an informed choice gave my mom back her presence—allowing her both peace and power in the end of her life.