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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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9

Woman First to Use Washington Suicide Law

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

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(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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9 comments
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triordan
May 22, 09 1:47 PM CDT
Powerful Quote: 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 Reply
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0
kokuaguy
May 22, 09 1:52 PM CDT
Thank you for this, Newser. It is depressing to recall how doggedly the Bush regime (Ashcroft's "Justice" Dept.) fought this enlightend measure in Oregon despite its passage by the people's vote at least twice. In Hawaii the pusillanimous legislature is too scared of its shadow to enact a dignified death statute, and they fight tooth and nail opposing a system of initive and referendum for the state. Apparently it will take an amendment to the Hawaii Constitution for the people to be allowed what polls show a large majority of them are in favor of -- the right to a dignified death when faced with the imminent end of life due to terminal disease. Reply
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+8
TerrifiedCitizen
May 22, 09 2:01 PM CDT
Although I support the inalienable right of free moral choice... I can't for the life of me understand why after generations of cancer, the best the medical industry can do is torture you with chemo therapy. Not to mention the fact that they can't even simply kill the pain. Reply
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+4
anchower
May 22, 09 3:30 PM CDT
Everyone should have this choice. Reply
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+7
WallyEFunk
May 22, 09 4:16 PM CDT
About time, We’ve been treating our pets with more dignity and compassion, then people we love. God speed. Reply
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+6

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