My mum had terminal cancer and fought it for 2 years, even though the doctors gave her only 3 months. She was finally admitted, really against her will, to hospital for treatment for pneumonia. I have no doubt my mum was near the end, thus when a doctor I formed us she had been placed on the LCP, we went along with it, believing that absolutely nothing more could be done for her.
However, what I didn't realise at the time was that fluids were bring actively withdrawn from my mum, who had I lu kne kidney, as well as antibiotics. At the time she was still conscious so we were able to give her water. However, the nurses then started to sedate her and again, we as a family believed this was the natural order of things.
My mum died about 25 hours later, despite sitting up in bed and eating a trifle. Whilst very very I'll, we thought we might at least be able to bring her home, where she could die when the time was fight. I now have no doubt though that her death was hastened due to withdrawal of fluids and continuous sedation. A patient who is constantly put to sleep is unable to ask for a drink
If my mum had been allowed water, then we could have got her home. At no stage did the medical staff tell us part of the "care" plan was to Withold fluids. If only I had cottoned on to this, but grief doesn't always make you think rationally.
The LCP has lots to commend it, but people MUST u d'état and it fully. We were given an edited version. We would never have agreed to our mum's death being accelerated due to dehydration.
I think the term euthanasia is one that, unfortunately, springs to mind1