The Editor's Corner: Euthanasia or 'mercy killing' does it really help?

By: Aram Odumreb

Euthanasia, 'Mercy killing', 'Right to die' and 'Assisted Suicide' - these are just some of the words that can be attributed to Jam Sebastian's request - to put an end on his sufferings.

It can be recalled that Jam Sebastian, half of the youtube sensation's Jamich, was diagnosed with a lung cancer March of last year. His family relayed and admitted in an interview which was circulated on youtube that Jam, having been tired of battling pain and losing hope has told his family especially his Mother to consider Mercy killing, with which his Mother and his family strongly opposed saying that "She would give whatever he ask, not just this one'.

The family is a known Christian, a Roman Catholic faithful. Jam himself has posted several photos with the crucifix with him symbolizing his faith and hope of recovering from his malignant stage. Its a little bit intriguing as for others they know that there isn't really this thing called 'miracle' but as prayer overflows for this youtube star - nothing really is impossible especially that we know better that God is with us and have answered all types of prayers even the unuttered ones.

But what if the patient himself sees that 'though there is God's presence, but he himself have reached the line where he is decided to end the battle and put all his weapons down? Will there still be miracle, If Miracle lies on those who only believe on it? Will there still at least fifty percent chance of 'surviving his stage four lung cancer'?

Hospital life battling with malignant situation is indeed the most stressful experience one would ever have and experience. And I had experience all that. The only difference is that I am not the patient - it was my Mom who also 'accordingly' was diagnosed with malignant cells found in her pancreas after her surgery. The good thing about Jam's situation is that he is courageous enough to face it, as he once said "Ang malas ng cancer cells ako pa napili. Di nila alam na may Yexel ako na kasama kong lalaban, may Paolinne Michelle pa!" And his family knew that he is brave enough to face the situation.

 In my Mom's case, our eldest did not inform her and even us, especially me who's always with her in the hospital. They believed that if they've told us about her real condition, we might have told her about it - and they thought of the worse scene that Mom would've also ask the same thing that Jam is asking now.

The issue here is about the process of Euthanasia better known as 'mercy killing'. This process 'though according to some Medical practitioners are beneficial to applicable clients as their 'patients', is still considered as a "taboo" thing to most of the Nations in the world. However, 'though not recommended its widespread is uncontrollable. The Philippines being a "Catholic oriented Nation" is among those nation whose view on the process is heinous and immoral.

In my short research, the Vatican (through:priestsforlife.org) answered all our unanswered questions about this matter. Accordingly, we DO NOT have the RIGHT TO DIE!

A "right" is a moral claim. We do not have a claim on death. Rather, death has a claim on us!

We do not decide when our life will end, any more than we decided when it began. Much less does someone else -- a relative, a doctor, or a legislator--decide when our life will end. None of us is master over life and death.

No matter how ill a patient is, we never have a right to put that person to death. Rather, we have a duty to care for and preserve life.

But to what length are we required to go to preserve life? No religion or state holds that we are obliged to use every possible means to prolong life. The means we use have traditionally been classified as either "ordinary" or "extraordinary."

"Ordinary" means must always be used. This is any treatment or procedure which provides some benefit to the patient without excessive burden or hardship.

"Extraordinary" means are optional. These are measures which do present an excessive burden.
The distinction here is NOT between "artificial" and "natural." Many artificial treatments will be "ordinary" means in the moral sense, as long as they provide some benefit without excessive burden. It depends, of course, on the specific case in point, with all its medical details. We cannot figure out ahead of time, in other words, whether or not we ourselves or a relative want some specific treatment to be used on us "when the time comes," because we do not know in advance what our medical situation will be at that time or what treatments will be available. When the time does come, however, we must consult on the medical and moral aspects of the situation. Remember, procedures providing benefit without unreasonable hardship are obligatory; others are not. You should consult your clergyman when the situations arise.

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Having all this, we can say that Maricar, Jam's Mom is right on her decision to not consider his Son's request. Because we do not really have the right to do so. Alot of Religious sects in the world has expressed their sentiments and pronounced their strong objections about the process. Why? Consider the following situations/examples:

Consider the Nancy Cruzan case. She had been in a coma for almost eight years, but was NOT dying, NOT deteriorating. The courts allowed food and water to be discontinued, and 12 days later (on the day after Christmas) she died. Note well, she did not die of the coma. She died of starvation. She was 33.

Or consider Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who let Janet Adkins, a 54 year old sufferer of early Alzheimer's, use his homemade "suicide machine" to kill herself. She pushed a button which released lethal fluids into her body. He has likewise administered death to dozens of others.

Is this the direction we want our society to go? Is life valuable only when it is healthy? Are we the ones who decide when we die? Is suffering meaningless?

I can still recall that moment when it was my turn to go inside the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) where my Mom is confined with all those tubes on her mouth, nose, her two hands, her feet and possibly on her genitals for urination. My tears are still flowing and that particular pain is still here inside my heart every time that picture of her strikes my mind. Believe me, Its really difficult to be on that situation. If I can only get all the pains, the tubes and everything from her just to save my Mom - I would have done that. I'm sure this is what Jam's family and loves ones felt after hearing Jam's request to go and consider 'mercy killing'.

What I just don't get is the fact that 'though not accepted - yet still we have Doctors offering for this procedure. I'm not just sure if others have encountered it - But I was bluntly offered with it and that was in Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City, the "killer hospital" as residents usually say. It was discussed to me as accordingly they strongly believe that Mom really has a very little survival percentage, and that was way back February of 2009. Imagine a Medical Doctor who devoted his entire life to be a specialist will ruin and sacrifice his license just for the sake of money? I am not particular if there will be extra cost as we didn't agree on it, but for sure there is. As you will have to buy the medicine which will be prescribed to threat the patient.

Prayer is the answer

We may have lost Our dearest Mom in a glimpse of time and lost our only hope in 'miracle'. But that doesn't mean that we lose our faith in God. For Jam Sebastian, you still have your family, your supporters, Michelle and God with you. The mere fact that you are surviving is a great proof of a great 'miracle' in your life. Do not waste the time and the chance of proving God that you're worthy of your time on earth and is also worthy of a great chance of recovering. Focus on what you can do than not and avoid entertaining negative thoughts as that will bring you down and cause anxieties.

Meanwhile, reports said that the patient is currently in the hospital trying to recover his strength as he was scheduled for his chemotherapy and the Family is asking for everyone's prayer for his fast recovery especially that Jam is now declining medicine and the likes. They too are receiving lots of inspirational messages, supports and a real-life testimonial about those cancer patients who have survived cancer. All these from those who have watched and was inspired by their love to each other.

What we can do for Jam is to include him in our prayer along with those who are battling serious diseases and illnesses for him and them to get those faith back and to continue holding on their personal dreams. For Jam, may your  dreams of having your own family with Michelle Lugayu, having your continuous love to your family serve as your fuel to continue life.

We really can't judge anyone on their choice especially if that particular option is what they think would help them ease or better yet end their sufferings. That's why the role of our Family is very important in this stage of life, where everyone not just the patient is being tested on their 'faith' with the Almighty Father. It maybe hard to remember this especially if you're the one in pain but at least we know that God rewards those who obey and followed his teachings amid every pains in life.

To all the cancer patients in the world like Jam Sebastian, may you all witness the promises of God. May HE bless you and your Family and gave you strength to continue what you have started. Show God that you're worthy of every chances [miracles] that he is giving you. Show HIM that you believe on his mercy and that he will listen to whatever you're praying. Because God heals. ++++

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