WILTIMS #80: To be or not to be

 Yesterday, my school's Ethics Club screened the documentary "How to Die in Oregon" on campus. The film follows various individuals and families, in and out of the state of Oregon, as they struggle with the incredibly difficult task of planning for an imminent and often painful death. Oregon is one of the three states that has legalized doctor assisted suicide - marketed better as "death with dignity" - which allows a doctor to write a prescription for patients with terminal illnesses to peacefully end their life at a time of their own choosing. The process is not simple and requires substantial hoop-jumping to complete.

Physician assisted suicide is distinct from euthanasia because the physician does not administer the drug them-self. The patient must be able to take the drug (usually in the form of a powder dissolved in water) unaided by anyone and they are free to change their mind at any time.

I highly recommend that, regardless of your views on the issue, you watch this documentary (it's even on Netflix streaming), though I warn you to stock up on Kleenex first. It's not terribly preachy and pretty much leaves it to the audience to sort out their own feelings based on the stories presented. Nearly everyone in the audience yesterday agreed with the law, but there was at least one person that was unconvinced, predominately on religious grounds. I would love to hear your opinion on the matter (feel free to email me if comments would be too public).

TIL: Patients with emphysema adopt a tripod position when sitting and struggling to breathe. This allows them to stabilize their shoulders with their arms, freeing the muscles of the neck to aid in respiration instead.

Heliox is a gas mixture composed of 79% helium and 21% oxygen (the same as air) that can be administered to a patient to breathe instead of air. The mixture lowers the density of air, which reduces turbulent flow and is used to treat conditions of large airway narrowing.