Letters: 'Into later phases'

Thank you for printing Susan B. Schaffer's articulate and wise article "Life, death on her terms" (Sunday). I am 76 years old, and still very active - but nevertheless worried about the future as I move into later phases of life. I had heard that eliminating food and water would lead to a painful death. Schaffer's article provided information and reassurance.

When my friends and I talk about these issues, we all agree that when the time comes, we don't want to linger incapacitated and probably in pain, too, a burden to ourselves and our families. But inevitably, we bring up this question: How can one do this easily, and with no mess or pain?

My mother-in-law, another gutsy woman, kept repeating during her last terrible year: "Why does it have to take so long to die?" More than 90 years old and sick, she felt helpless and miserable, and so did her family. She simply did not know how easy it would be to make the dying process easier.

Vivian M. Rosenberg

Jenkintown

"Life, death on her terms" on Sunday describes in very favorable terms the benefits of taking your life, complete with the opinion by a geriatrician that people who forgo food and water do not suffer increased pain and generally enjoy a peaceful death.

Isn't this commentary a virtually full-page advertisement for the taking of one's life, complete with a doctor's opinion as to how to do it without any increased pain or suffering? Is human life like a commodity that you obtain at a store and can return at any time of your choice on your terms?

My wife was in the same position, with terminal cancer. She also died, but she did so on God's terms. She also experienced peacefulness because she knew that she was getting close to meeting face-to- face with her creator. She did not have to make a choice. She realized that the person who gives life is the only one who can take it.

John J. Donohue

Newtown Square