There were many feelings that I experienced while watching the film on the first day of class. I felt sad for both of the families suffering and sorrows. I was also very surprised on the policies and rules of both states that allowed assisted suicide. When I read the first question about how I want to die I really had to reflect on it. If I was in good health and had no terminal issues, I would wish the death anyone else would. I would want to be at home surrounded by the ones that love me. If Iwere terminally ill and suffering, I would want to be comforted to try and ease my pain. I don't think I could choose a date for me to die if I was allowed it.
I am not a nursing student and I have not experienced death in a clinical setting ,but I have had experienced it in a personal setting. I have had experiences where a school friend has died in a car accident and it hurt the whole family, friends, and community. I have grown up with my grandparents dying when I was at a young age and it never really hurt me because I didn't understand death. This past summer my aunt died at the age of 63 and it was the hardest thing that has happened to me and my family. She had a massive heart attack and was on a ventilator for three days when we were told she had already been clinically dead. This personally was the most real life thing that has happened to me.
This leads in to the question relating to suffering. I saw my aunt living by a machine. It was hard to see her being kept alive by her families will . It was something for her family to do just for a chance of hope. I believe that keeping her on any longer would have caused suffering to not only her but all of her family. Because her heart attack was not planned, none of her family knew what her wishes were. I believe suffering is knowing you have said something you want done , but in the end never being able to have it done.
Overall, this movie has given me a different look at life and death. I also have another understanding of assisted suicide and natural death. It was a good perspective from two different lifestyles and what they were going through when death was approaching them.
