Suicide is first to use new law

By Kim Murphy

May 23, 2009 12 AM PT

SEATTLE — A 66-year-old woman with pancreatic cancer has become the first person to die under a new Washington state law allowing doctors to help terminally ill patients end their lives.

Linda Fleming, of the Olympic Peninsula town of Sequim, died after ingesting a fatal dose of a fast-acting barbiturate, Compassion & Choices of Washington reported Friday. The group had promoted the successful ballot initiative, which took effect March 5.

Washington’s law closely mirrors one in Oregon, under which more than 400 patients have ended their lives since 1997. Montana, as a result of a court ruling now under challenge, is the only other state that legally permits physician-aided death.

Washington’s law was approved by 57.9% of the voters. But its implementation has been hampered by the reluctance of many doctors, particularly those in more rural areas, to write lethal prescriptions. Several hospitals have forbidden their staff doctors to participate.

But Robb Miller, executive director of Compassion & Choices, said his organization was able to put Fleming in touch with a willing physician.

The assisted suicide law requires that at least two doctors certify a patient has six months or less to live and is mentally competent to make the decision.

Compassion & Choices said that Fleming had been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer only recently, but her illness progressed rapidly and her pain “worsened dramatically.”

“The pain became unbearable, and it was only going to get worse,” Fleming said in a statement distributed by the group. “I am a very spiritual person, and it was very important to me to be conscious, clear-minded and alert at the time of my death. The powerful [pain] medications were making it difficult to maintain the state of mind I wanted to have at my death. And I knew I would have to increase them.”

Miller said Fleming took an anti-nausea medication, followed by strong barbiturates, at her home Thursday evening in the company of her daughter, her doctor, her dog and a “client support volunteer” from his organization.

“Seven minutes later she lost consciousness, and she died between two and three hours later,” Miller said. “There were no complications, and it was very peaceful. She spent 3 1/2 hours with her daughter prior to her death.”

As of Friday, the Washington Department of Health reported that pharmacies have dispensed six doses of the fatal medications.

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