I am still living a wonderful life: my
lovely wife, two delightful offspring and a perfect cat. I have so many
cherished friendships and this past year has been richer than ever before in an
atmosphere of love and caring.
My active life of cycling over 10,000km
on my bikes, running marathons, hiking, backpacking, sailing, kayaking, cross
country and down-hill skiing, and snowshoeing has ended. I am not capable of
any of these activities and now only walk slowly around the garden. Because I
am tube fed, I have not had our experience of sharing meals with family and
friends. I am without a quality of life that I have treasured since I was a
child.
Fortunately, my brain is working very
well (intermittently) and I have been able to experience many hours of joy,
laughter, tenderness and honesty with my wife, children, sister-in-laws and
many friends.
For most of the time since the age of
about eleven I have been very much in control of my direction and I see no
reason to give up that control now. At one time matters of life and death were
considered to be the realm of a higher power but now that medicine is in
control some options are available for re-empowering the individual in reducing
suffering.
Our medical system automatically performs
extreme measures to preserve the faintest spark of life unless a "Do Not
Resuscitate form" is completed. I have one in my wallet. However, I have
reached the point to close the final chapter in my book of life.
My timing is fortunate because in Canada
we can now have Medical Assistance In Dying (M.A.i.D.) if we meet several criteria
including having an irremediable medical condition and rational consent to
request medical assistance. This is an option that few people easily choose.
However I decided that for me, this is the best option and the last few days
with my family and friends have proved it to be a very wise decision indeed.
This photo was taken this afternoon and we
will spend tonight, the last of my life sipping Dom Perignon 2006, something we
would never have dreamed of, but this special occasion warrants something
extravagant. In the morning, I will say goodbye and rather than having the
catastrophic end they had predicted, I will go mellowly into death. I want to
thank all of you for your love and support during this difficult time. It is
wonderful to have friends and family like you, and you need do nothing more
than remember me well.
