Author Description

Four Stories Of Real Patients Who Considered And Then Activated Plans To Voluntarily Stop Eating And Drinking (vsed) Are Presented. Each Had Unique Personal And Clinical Circumstances, But All Wanted To Know What Escape Options Might Be Possible If Their Anticipated Or Actual Suffering Or Deterioration Became Unacceptable To Them. Most Were Initially Unaware Of Vsed As A Life-ending Option Until Informed By The Treating Clinicians, And Some Were Disappointed That They Could Not Receive Medical Aid-in-dying Which They Clearly Would Have Preferred. The Process Of Becoming Aware And Then Ultimately Choosing And Completing Vsed Are Explored. The Prospect Of Losing Decision-making Capacity Late In Vsed And Expressing A Basic Desire For Food And Drink Should Be Anticipated And Planned For. Vsed Was Ultimately Effective In Helping These Patients Achieve A Wished-for Death, But The Process Was Not Without Challenges-- Provided By Publisher.