In some ways we treat pets better than people

[Angel!]

My Grandma is dying.  She had a stroke last week and now can't swallow or talk and is partially paralyzed.  So she has been moved to a hospice.  But, now she just lays there sedated waiting until her organs to shut down.  Meanwhile my Mom and my Aunt get to watch her wither away to nothing over days and days. 

We don't even do that to dogs.  You would euthanize a dog in that condition.  Not force them to linger and suffer.  It isn't like she is going to recover.  She is going to die.  And everyone is forced to suffer longer because the process drags out.

No real point.  Just sad and frustrated.  I feel bad for my Mom and Aunt.  They had to sit and watch their Dad die literally the same way.

[Deleted]

sorry about your grandma.  That is not easy.

[lexxy703]

I'm sorry for what you & your family are going through & for what it's worth I totally agree that we are more humane to our pets.

[Peace Of Mind]

I'm sorry to hear about your Grandma, Angel.  (((Hugs)))

And I agree and hope changes come soon so that we can get help passing over in a dignified manner. 

[NancysSummerSip]

Oct 7, 2013 13:37:39 GMT -5 lexxy703 said:

I'm sorry for what you & your family are going through & for what it's worth I totally agree that we are more humane to our pets.

Sad and true. I watched my mother lose her battle against heart disease and diabetes for nine weeks.

I'm sorry, Angel. I wish there was a better way, for all your sakes.

[greeniis10]

I'm sorry Angel!  Not what you need in addition to other things right now.

I agree with you on the pet issue as well.  Wish something would change in that regard.  Hope your grandma finds peace soon. 

[wvugurl26]

We do treat animals better in this regard. In fact they'd throw you in jail and charge you with animal abuse if you let an animal suffer like that. Yet, if you try to end a human's suffering and spare them that fate they put you in jail.

I am the first to admit it is a very slippery slope. I don't know that I want to make those decisions. I do think it is wrong to let them suffer like that. I know some would believe that's wrong but others do not wish to go through prolong suffering on their way to death.

[steph08]

We had to put one of our dogs to sleep last week, and this thought crossed my mind over the weekend. If I was terminally ill and in pain with no chance of recovery, I would want to go quietly into the night.  How sad that we can make that decision for our pets but we are not permitted to make that decision for ourselves.

I am sorry to hear that your grandmother is not doing well.

[kittensaver]

I stay away from these discussions (euthanasia for people) because I find myself very conflicted about them, but I DID want to pop in here and say I'm sorry about your grandma, Angel. Hugs to you.

[milee]

I'm so sorry about your Grandma, Angel.

[raeoflyte]

I'm so sorry Angel. 

My grandfathers passing was very similar.  The death certificate listed starvation as the cause (it was), but I just hated that because that makes it sound like we could have done something.  

[muttleynfelix]

Hugs Angel.

[dannylion]

I'm so sorry, Angel. 

[973beachbum]

Angel I'm so sorry your family is going through this!  I hope that you take care of yourselves also as you all struggle with trying to take care of your grandmother.

[zibazinski]

That's how my grandfather finally died after 3 years and more of being a vegetable. My vibrant grandfather who used to climb electric poles with a belt before they had cherry pickets was reduced to wearing a diaper and getting bathed a few times a week. Plus, the forced operations that he had to have that maybe if he hadn't have had to have them would have shortened his suffering. My kids have instructions to take me to a pond and let me go in it and drown.

[Deleted]

 I'm sorry about your grandmother.

[kjto1]

My thoughts are with your family.

[taz157]

Oct 7, 2013 13:37:42 GMT -5 Peace Of Mind said:

I'm sorry to hear about your Grandma, Angel.  (((Hugs)))

And I agree and hope changes come soon so that we can get help passing over in a dignified manner. 

I'm sorry Angel.

[Deleted]

I remember making the decision to put my mother on comfort measures only and to sit there and wait for her to pass. It was awful. I'm so sorry that you are going through this Angel and I'm sending hugs your way....

[resolution]

I am very sorry for your loss and for the way things are being drawn out. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

[sarcasticgirl]

So sorry to hear about your grandmother, angel. I know it can be heartbreaking watching people go through that. 

[Deleted]

Angel, I am sorry your family is going through this most difficult time.  My thoughts are with you.

There is a lot to be said for death with dignity laws. Not always easy to employ, but if you still have the cognitive ability to make the choice, it is nice to know that in some states you have a path.

[toomuchreality]

Thinking of you and yours, during this difficult time.

((((BIG hugs!))))
     

[Deleted]

I feel the same way Angel.

[bookkeeper]

Oct 8, 2013 1:56:02 GMT -5 CCL said:

I'm so sorry about your grandma. My mom passed away this year in a similar manner and I know it is very difficult.

If she appears to be in any sort of pain, I would ask the doctor for some morphine. I insisted on it for my mom and once they started it, there was an immediate change. It made her so much more comfortable. She wasn't able to speak. I could tell she was in distress and needed something. Try Googling "morphine end of life" or something similar if you are not familiar with it.

I too am so sorry for you and your grandma.  The end of life is such a complex piece of the life puzzle.

My friends who have been through this with their parents have talked about the morphine.  It seems the morphine will relax the individual and will speed the end for those that are near.

[Deleted]

This bugs me too.  My grandmother took a couple months to pass from the time we knew it was coming.  She has 8 kids located all over the country.  They all showed up for visits for a week here or there, but needed to get back to their families and jobs.  Grandma was completely out of it and not eating or drinking anything.  I remember thinking how nice it would be if everyone could just be together with her, all her kids and her 37 grandkids and help her go.  That's how I'd want to die.  As it was, she passed in the night with just one of her daughters there.

[sapphire12]

Sorry you are going through this Angel.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

I hope that there will soon be a day for us (or our loved ones) to leave this life with the dignity, grace, and release of pain that we allow our pets to do.

I'm so sorry for your grief, Angel - and for that of your grandmother.

[mmhmm]

Angel, sweetheart, I'm so sorry.  My thoughts are with you, your mom, and your aunt.  This is so very difficult for all of you.