California End of Life Option Act (EOLOA)

 

I wanted to provide some information on the procedure that Mike selected in his final days. It was a process, not simple, and had many suspenseful moments.

While laws differ from state to state, patients must be adults, have a terminal prognosis, be mentally capable, and be able to self-administer the medication. The critical component is to be able to understand and ingest the potion on one's own.  This means being conscious and being able to swallow.  

I learned, as I proceeded to meet Mike's wishes, that this undertaking is ordinarily planned over weeks, if not months. We accomplished the operation in 10 days from the moment he expressed his wish on 7th December. 

We were guided by the hospice team that took us through the steps.  We had to secure 2 doctors who would interview and confirm Mike's position and condition.  This was not easy. After some challenges, Dr. Stoehr, who was Mike's oncologist, and Dr. Marsten from VNA hospice, represented Mike. 

We had to present a form requesting the aid-in-dying; this had to be filled out and signed by Mike and given to Dr. Stoehr. Next, Dr. Stoehr would interview Mike and write a brief that reflected Mike's initial request. The last hurdle was when Dr. Marsten came to the house for a personal interview to verify Mike's intent and to validate that he qualified.  Dr. Marsten was the one who would write the prescription. There is only one pharmacy in the area that was authorized to fill this prescription, the San Ysidro Pharmacy.

Dr. Marsten interviewed Mike on Monday, and it was touch-and-go as to when the pharmacy could prepare the potion.



We were able to collect the prescription at 2pm on the 17th of December. We began the process with preparatory pills at 2:15 to be taken at least 1 hour before the special potion would be offered.  Mike began to sip with a straw at 3:44pm.

He said it was bitter and chased it with several bites of a frozen fruit stick.

He was calm, peaceful, and determined.

Soon, he slipped into unconsciousness.  

His death was proclaimed at 8:18 pm.  

He is so missed.



States with Medical Aid in Dying (MAID): 

Comments

  1. Cecilia FordDecember 27, 2025 at 3:16 PM

    Thank you, Anabel, for this important education and your heartfelt fulfilling of Mike's wishes.

    Wisconsin lacks a law for choosing medically aided dying.

    One can support efforts to make the option available in other states: https://compassionandchoices.org/

    ReplyDelete

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