Physician-Assisted Suicide Is Not "Good Medicine

by Rev. Timothy A. Nelson, M.D.

When I was practicing medicine, a patient with end-stage emphysema came into my office and asked me to arrange an appointment for him to see Dr. Kevorkian. He explained that he knew he was dying and was not afraid. He had fought in WWII and had seen many of his buddies die. He knew it was just a matter of time for him too. I reviewed his chart to make sure that everything was being done for him that could be done. He had not used oxygen at home in the past. I examined him and then checked his blood oxygen level. It was very low. I got an oxygen tank with tubing and a nasal cannula for him to deliver a low-flow of supplemental oxygen. He started to feel better.

I wasn't sure how to address the issue of an appointment with Dr. Kevorkian except to say that I didn't think it was a good idea. I sat there for a long while just thinking about it. As I did, I imagined him fighting in the war with his buddies. Then, mostly thinking out loud, I asked him, "Suppose you're fighting the war with your buddies from a foxhole and the enemy has you vastly outnumbered and it's just a matter of time before they overtake all of you. You wouldn't jump out of that foxhole and let them mow you down, would you? You would continue to fight with you buddies even to the bitter end, wouldn't you? Your honor and pride comes from fighting with them, doesn't it?" My patient had a "far-off" look on his face for a few moments. Then he straightened up in his chair and his eyes seem to come alive. "I would stick by 'em," he said in a soft but resolute voice. He thanked me and left without wanting an appointment with Dr. Kevorkian. Oxygen was delivered to his home to ease his shortness of breath.

A couple of months later he died at home. His wife later thanked me for helping them through that trying time. He was able to die with a sense of purpose and dignity.

This is just one account of several patients I have cared for who have asked to see Dr. Kevorkian. In every case, after listening to their concerns, addressing their needs and knowing that I would stick by them, none of them wanted to make that appointment. This type of ministry in the practice of medicine is, I believe, just "good medicine". It takes a little more time to listen and a little more effort to meet the needs but this is what people long for in their doctor, their family members and their clergy. And when they don't find it, they are more likely to look to physician assisted suicide as an alternative. Such ministry of one human being to another actually makes us more human. Ironically, what we admire most in a pet dog, for instance, is its unfailing devotion "come what may". How much more important is the need for human kindness when a person feels like a burden or needs extra care and attention.

The love of God and the hope of eternal life were mediated through a person, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We too are called by our baptism and encouraged by our faith to mediate this same love and hope to others, especially to those who suffer. Human dignity comes from our relationship with God, who creates us, loves us and sustains us. Truly compassionate care for others in all stages of life reflects this relationship. Although certain qualities of human relationships change with illness and debilitating disease, the qualities of faith, hope and love always remain. When our relationships reflect God's love, it is not extraordinary care, it's just "good medicine".