A terminally ill Missouri mother is planning to go to Switzerland to end her own life through assisted suicide before her health worsens and lands her in a hospital.
A terminally ill Missouri woman is planning to go to Switzerland to end her own life in a physician-assisted death while she is still physically capable of making the trip. Gayle Hendrix, a 79-year-old mother of two from Cape Girardeau, was diagnosed with lupus and interstitial lung disease four years ago and says her lung capacity continues to worsen. 'I’ve had a great life, and I want to have some dignity when I’m going to the next phase,' she told 12 KFVS.
My friends will say, 'But you don’t look or sound or act like somebody who is near death.' But I am dying, and that's what I want to control,' she said. 'I don't want to get to the point of, 'This is existing, not living,'' Hendrix continued. Hendrix must use an oxygen machine and can only walk short distances. She had lived an active lifestyle before her diagnosis, which included traveling a lot for work, hiking and riding a bicycle.
can't say I agree with her decision, I don't,' Foeste said. 'But, it's not my choice. I do love her and support her and there's no way on the planet my mom is going to do this alone, no way.' 'I love her and support her 100%, no matter what,' Foeste added. 'She knows that, my kids know that, and I just wish more people were like that.
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