Death with Dignity

This past weekend, Brittany Maynard took poison and ended her life. She lay down in the bed she shared with her husband and breathed her last while he and her mom watched. She avoided the worst of the aggressive brain cancer eating at her. 

Three years ago I spoke with a close friend from High School. He called because he also carried aggressive brain cancer. Jeff Kasten battled for almost a year with experimental treatments that advanced the knowledge of medicine. 

In his last days, Jeff lay in a comma. He had trusted his care and comfort to those who loved him. His wife, Tracey, kept watch in the knowledge that she had done all she could. Jeff left behind two daughters who witnessed the courage of Mom and Dad in the teeth of death. 

I have no right to judge Brittany or her courage. I have no doubt of Jeff and Tracey's.