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Woman First to Use Washington Suicide Law

Cancer patient, 66, takes lethal dose under Death with Dignity Act

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 22, 2009 1:08 PM CDT

(Newser) – A 66-year-old woman became the first to opt for physician-assisted suicide under Washington state’s new death-with-dignity law, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. Suffering from stage 4 pancreatic cancer, Linda Fleming took a lethal dose of medication last night, surrounded by her family, doctor and dog.

“The pain became unbearable,” Fleming said in a statement relayed by an advocacy group. “I’m a very spiritual person, and it was important to me to be conscious, clear-minded and alert at the time of my death.” Fleming’s pain would have worsened dramatically had she not opted to die, said Compassion & Choices of Washington, a key proponent of the measure passed in November.

The Death With Dignity Act allows doctors to prescribe lethal doses of medication.
The Death With Dignity Act allows doctors to prescribe lethal doses of medication.   (Shutterstock)
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I had only recently learned how to live in the world as I had always wanted to, and now I will no longer be here. - Linda Fleming

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
wwwonderer
May 26, 2009 3:59 AM CDT
Well, if I may play devil's advocate. Isn't this a Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice issue. The right to choice death, is not in ANY humans hands, right? I agree that people should have the right to CHOOSE. But I guess the debate rages on.
freethemall
May 24, 2009 5:09 AM CDT
Thumps up to all comments submitted so far, I'll just add this: If I ever die of cancer, I do not want it said of me: "He lost his battle with cancer". If becomes clear to me that my condition is terminal, the only thing I will be battling is pain.
SBS
May 23, 2009 1:32 AM CDT
I agree completly.

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