We all make choices on how we will depart

Re: “Parksville man dies while family on 911 half-hour hold,” Sept. 15.

It is wonderful of the family to call attention to the need for more ambulance service and trained paramedics. But as a retired registered nurse and senior citizen, I feel that the public should also consider the reality of our health-care system.

This man had signed a do-notresuscitate request when he knew he had pancreatic cancer. Although the doctor had guesstimated that he could live to Christmas, had the family done any online research to understand the progression of this cancer?

What percentage of patients have lived more than six months after diagnosis?

The man had taken control of his remaining time by signing the donot-resuscitate order. He exited as he wanted and even an ambulance arrival might not have allowed more time than what he had requested.

Perhaps if his family had talked him through his final moments they would feel more at peace.

We all must face this question in our final years. Whether we are religious, spiritual believers, medically trained, or cherishing every moment with our children and grandchildren, there is a level of acceptance that death is at the end, no matter what.

So we must all choose how we want to exit. Do we want “no heroics,” dying with dignity when our bodies have failed us, or living in a nursing home so we can reach 100? Everyone has a choice!

Joan Wilson Duncan