To the editor:
Dr. Ann Marie Chiasson states that physician-assisted suicide is an unnecessary defense against fear and suffering. As the primary caregivers for our son who recently died at the age of 35 from a brain tumor, we disagree. ("Why many hospice doctors like me won't participate in legal physician assisted suicide," Opinion, May 12)
Our son did undergo the “natural process of dying,” but it was far from a “pleasant way to go.” Even with the help of hospice, steroids for the constant headaches and analgesics for the horrific pain that came with partial paralysis, our son's process of dying was not peaceful. He suffered extreme anxiety and often times would ask, “Why can't I just die?”
If we hadn't gone through this experience, it would have been easy to agree with Chiasson.
California's impending right-to-die law is important to help those who don't want to go through the agony that we and our son experienced. Those last horrific weeks will be with us forever.
Jack and Jan Reisdorf, Mission Viejo
