Ask HN: Help needed for medical assistance in dying
My situation isn't pleasant. I'm having a difficult time ending my life. I live in Montreal, Quebec. Here in Canada, it's legal to end one's life by suicide and by a physician when the patient satisfies legal criteria for medical assistance in dying.
Last year I was diagnosed with cancer. I also have another illness but incurable that makes my life intolerable. I'm refusing treatment for the cancer "besides pain medication" because of my preexisting medical condition. I'm doing well emotionally with coping and I've been starting to end contacts with friends in preparation for dying.
From the very start of the cancer diagnosis, I've been requesting medical assistance in dying by speaking with my Oncologist and the request to him isn't being processed. The hospital's complaint commissioner isn't helping as well. I'm spoken to a few lawyers "that I cannot afford" and they've confirmed I do qualify for medical assistance in dying but the problem is a doctor can refuse for personal reasons. So, when I go to other Hospitals, ERs, walk-ins, I'm told "speak with your oncologist" while they're ignoring my explanation of why that's not helpful. They also refuse to let me request on a form for medical assistance in dying. I'm told they don't do that here.
I'm starting to get to my wits end and planning a suicide instead in the near future. I really wish I could have my death done by a physician but it seems like my age with how the cancer is currently considered treatable by surgery is making nobody want to help me until the cancer has spread everywhere. I've been told by my Oncologist that without treatment I'm looking at less than a year for life expectancy. Again, any help/advice/opinions I'm grateful to read.