I am expressing a personal view of the measure 1000 having attended my late wife’s death from stomach cancer 20 years ago. Plese be patient with the following comments. It is difficult for me to know the answers.

My wife suffered through one and a half years of chemo treatment in Seattle, and was give the best medical attention at that time. After going through that, she was exhausted, but never gave up on living as she could have. When the oncologist said there was no hope, her response was to die at home with me so long as the pain was controlled. It was! The attention of medical care-givers was exceptional. We had a great few months(weeks) of living together when she could no longer walk – preparing dinner together on the bed, my carrying her to the “potty” and just enjoying each other. Her comment was that it was a great time in her life!

So, why do I bring this remembrance up? I will probably vote for initiative 1000 but want you to also note that you should be careful in applying it. There can also be great moments as my wife and I had – without pain. She didn’t have six months to live but was, I think for her and me, the happier for the time to become closer, and for me to be able to help her through those last days. If the provisions of measure 1000 had been applied, I think the remembrance and experience would have been quite different and not pleasant. It is up to you, based on individual conditions, not necessarily those I went through. I believe in our (her) way and hope I have such fortitude as she.

Ray West

Olga