[TerryH]

Back in May 2001, my father died from emphysema. Not to preach, but to any smokers out there, pray that lung cancer gets you first.

They made mention on 60 Minutes of assisted suicide going on at hospitals all the time. Here is what our family went through at most difficult time of our lives to that point.

That previous Fall, dad stated in his natural wit that when the ground thaws (Minnesota), he was ready to be the first one in. By Spring his skin had lost the pink color and he was ashen from lack of oxygen in his blood. The oxygen tank and tubes aimed at his nostrils weren't enough any more and any physical exertion caused him hours of discomfort trying to catch his breath.

He was admitted to the hospital that spring day. After monitoring him a few days, it was mutually decided by the doctors and family the time had come to say goodbye. While it was tough to see him linger for almost 5 days without food or water, the drugs kept him smiling occasionally. In the end he got his wish and was buried at first thaw. Essentially, he died from lack of nourishment, but the death certificate says complications from emphysema.

He might have lived indefinitely on mechanical support or confined to a bed, but why prolong the pain and suffering for not only him but all of us who suffered with him. He was a great man who deserved to die under his terms. We like to think he did.